Wondering If You Should File a Roof Insurance Claim? Here’s How to Decide
Filing a roof insurance claim is stressful, but the experience is made worse if your claim is denied. While it’s important to act quickly to repair your roof when it becomes damaged, it’s also a good idea to take time to assess your situation and make an educated choice about whether to file. So how do you determine if you should file a roof insurance claim?
At Skyline Contracting, our team has years of experience in roof repair, most commonly for storm damage. We’re well-versed in the ins and outs of storm damage restoration, as well as determining what amount of damage is worth filing a claim for.* Let’s take a look at some steps to take before contacting your insurance company.
Review Your Insurance Policy
One of the most common reasons why an insurance claim might be denied is because your policy simply doesn’t cover the damage done to your home. While most common types of storm damage will be covered by a typical homeowners insurance policy, every policy is different.
Following a severe storm, take note of what types of damage may be present. Were there extreme, gusting winds? Was there large hail? Look for the following signs:
- Cracked or broken shingles
- Missing or loose shingles
- Dents to soft metals like gutters or fascia
- Damage to other parts of your home’s exterior, such as your deck or siding
- Excess asphalt granules in your gutters or near downspouts
Once you’ve identified signs of damage, review your insurance policy to determine whether that type of storm damage is covered.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
Whenever your home is hit by potentially damaging storms, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional inspection with a reliable Gainesville roofing company. While you’ll be able to identify some signs of damage yourself, a roofer will be much more able to evaluate damage and document evidence.
Things like photo evidence and the expert opinion of your roofer carry a lot of weight if you decide to file a claim.
Determine the Extent of the Damage
Another area where your roofer can weigh in following an inspection is the extent of damage done to your home. Every storm, roof, and home is different. While larger hail is likely to do more damage, density plays a major role, and this can affect whether your home received minor damage or significant damage that may warrant a replacement.
After completing a full roof inspection, your roofer will be able to provide a clear picture of the health of your roof.
To File or Not to File?
With this information in hand, you’ll be able to make an educated decision on whether to file an insurance claim for your roof. If the type of damage to your roof is covered, and the extent is significant—possibly enough to warrant a replacement—then filing a claim will likely be the best option.
If damage is minor, you may decide it’s not worth filing a claim. While your insurance rates should not increase if your claim is denied altogether, filing repeated claims for minor damage could impact your premiums. This may mean it’s better to simply pay out of pocket for the roof repair and avoid the increased insurance costs.
All that said, whether you file a claim or not, it’s crucial to repair any roof damage right away. Leaving roof damage unaddressed could lead to a premature roof replacement. What’s more, you could be left footing the entire bill if your roof must be replaced due to complications from unaddressed damage.
Schedule Your Inspection Today!
Before filing a roof insurance claim, get in touch with our team at Skyline Contracting to schedule an inspection. While we can’t help file your insurance claim, our thorough inspection process will include photo documentation of damage, and our team will help you make an educated decision on whether filing a claim is worth the effort.
Storm season is just around the corner. If your home is damaged, reach out to Skyline Contracting for a comprehensive inspection!
