Having to resolve a high-cost, high-stakes problem such as roof damage can leave you feeling anxious and vulnerable. If the roofing industry is anything like the automobile retail industry, a lack of information or a small mistake or omission on your part could cost you thousands.
If you forearm yourself with knowledge about the roof replacement process, you won’t be caught off guard by your insurance company or duped by fraudulent roofing companies.
Let Oscar Roofing guide you through the process of securing the help of your insurance to replace your roof. Here we consider the variables that affect coverage and actions you can take to ensure you receive the most coverage possible.
Table of Contents
- 4 Factors That Determine if Homeowners Insurance Will Cover a Roof Replacement
- Will Homeowners Insurance Cover the Full Cost of Your Roof Replacement?
- 7 Steps To Take When You Believe Your Homeowners Insurance Should Cover Your Roof Replacement
- Oscar Roofing: A Reputable Roofing Contractor You Can Trust With Your Roof Replacement in Bloomington, Indianapolis, and the Surrounding Areas
4 Factors That Determine if Homeowners Insurance Will Cover a Roof Replacement
If you are in the unfortunate circumstance of having to ask, “Does my homeowner’s insurance cover roof replacement?” you probably have some sense of the complexity of the issue. The answer to this question depends on several things.
Contact Oscar Roofing for a free estimate to assess damage to your roof and determine whether a replacement is necessary and covered by your insurance. Having been in business since 2003, we know our trade and reliably serve our clients to satisfy their roof repair needs.
#1: Details of the Policy
The insurance policy will lay out the details of what it will and will not cover.
Read your insurance policy carefully to be sure about what type of damage is covered and what exclusions may apply in your situation. If your roof is in bad condition, not owing to an accident outside your control, then coverage will not apply. The following issues are common exclusions:
- Use of outdated or unsafe roofing materials
- Neglect, or improper roof maintenance
- A roof that is approaching or has already exceeded its expected lifespan
- Signs of wear and tear, such as missing or damaged shingles, leaks, and structural damage
#2: Assessment by the Adjuster
A homeowner might consult a roofing contractor to assess damage and provide an estimate for repairs, and this estimate may be taken into consideration. However, the insurance adjuster’s estimate is ultimately what determines the amount of coverage.
An adjuster inspects the roof to determine:
- The extent of damage, both internal and external: Some signs of damage that an adjuster may notice include:
- Improperly fastened gutters
- Loose or exposed nails
- Dry rot around vent rubber boots
- Fascia board rot or damage
- Damaged flashing, skylights, or chimneys
- Whether the roof was properly installed and has been properly maintained: The adjuster can cite code or safety violations, use of outdated materials, or signs of neglect.
- The cause of the damage: Coverage is generally only provided in the event of a disaster. If the adjuster determines that severe weather or a sudden unavoidable accident was not the cause, it is not likely replacement will be covered.
#3: Age of the Roof
Insurance companies may not provide roof replacement if a roof is over 20 years old. An adjuster might inspect your roof to determine whether the risk of having to cover your roof is too high.
If the value of your roof in its current state (its actual cash value) is low enough, your insurance company may not agree to pay for its replacement unless you have been paying for replacement cost value coverage.
#4: Type of Damage
Two types of damage to a roof may occur:
- The first is wear and tear that occurs naturally over time and is not covered by insurance, such as:
-
- Sagging
- Mildew
- Debris accumulation
- Clogged gutters
- Damage resulting from the age of the roof
- Roof leaks
- Rodent damage
These causes are considered results of neglect.
- The second type of damage is that from a covered loss, usually due to weather or other inevitable incident, including:
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- Wind
- Ice or sleet
- Hail
- Lightening
- Fires
- Vandalism
Will Homeowners Insurance Cover the Full Cost of Your Roof Replacement?
Insurance rarely — if ever — covers the entire cost of roof replacement. To know what insurance will cover, homeowners need to understand actual cash value and replacement cash value and consider the cost of their deductible.
Actual Cash Value
Actual cash value (ACV) is the depreciated value of your roof at the time of the loss.
If this is the value covered by your policy, you will not receive enough money to replace your roof with a brand-new version and will have to pay out of pocket to cover the difference. Alternatively, you might find a roofer who can replace or repair your roof for the ACV, but you will necessarily be paying for cheaper labor and materials.
If your roof is over 20 years old or hasn’t been maintained properly, ACV will likely be used to determine coverage.
Replacement Cash Value
Replacement cost value is the amount needed to repair or replace the roof at the new market value.
If this is the value covered by your policy, you will not have to pay the difference. Insurance will pay enough to replace the roof with a version of the current roof. That is to say, the homeowner must cover any additional costs of an upgrade.
Deductible
Whichever value your policy covers, you will still be responsible for paying the deductible, the minimum amount you must pay before insurance will offer payment. Any roofing company that offers to pay your deductible should not be trusted, since doing so is illegal.
A common deductible is 2-5% of the home’s insured value, depending on its location. For a home insured at $100,000, the deductible may be between $1,000 and $5,000. The exact amount depends on your specific policy.
If the repair or replacement needed costs less than the deductible, you may opt to pay out of pocket instead of filing a claim. If this is the case, you will still want to be in close contact with your insurance company to ensure repairs are done to their satisfaction.
7 Steps To Take When You Believe Your Homeowners Insurance Should Cover Your Roof Replacement
Getting a roof replaced and covered by insurance usually isn’t a quick process with only a few steps. Knowing everything that’s involved upfront can help you as a homeowner manage the process a little more easily and with less stress.
Take the following steps to ensure you have your bases covered.
#1: Document the Damage
Document the damage immediately so you can prove to the adjuster that the damage was caused by a storm or other inevitable situation covered by your policy.
Take pictures of the damage and write notes, including any relevant information such as the time and date of the incident, and any measures you took to limit further damage, such as covering a hole in the roof with a tarp.
#2: Understand Your Roof Insurance Coverage
If you haven’t read and understand your policy’s provisions for roof damage coverage prior to the incident, be sure to do so immediately. This way you will be fully aware of what is covered and what isn’t and be able to make your case more effectively when you file a claim.
#3: Schedule an Inspection
Schedule an inspection with the insurance adjuster or a reputable roofing contractor. Find out whether your insurance company will accept an estimate from a contractor or if they want their own assessor to do the inspection. It’s good to get multiple estimates from trusted roofing companies.
Beware of scammers who try to take advantage of people in a vulnerable situation. Also known as “storm chasers,” these roofers come from out of town to offer free roof inspections and cheap replacements or repairs. They perform inadequate work and move on so as not to be held accountable.
Trusting your roof repair to a scammer will end up costing you more in the long run, so be sure to enlist the help of a respected company that does high-quality work, such as Oscar Roofing.
#4: File a Claim
File the claim following the proper procedure and submit the necessary documentation. This will include:
- Photos as evidence of damage
- Notes about the date and time of the incident
- Report of inspection(s) performed by reputable roofing companies
- Inspectors’ estimates of repair costs
Once you’ve submitted this documentation, the insurance company may send an adjuster to prepare their report of the damage. Wait for notification of approval, rejection, or a request for more information.
#5: Pay Your Deductible Upon Approval
There is no way around paying your deductible. Be wary of any roofing company that purports to pay the deductible for your roof repair. The contractor may be willing to absorb the cost of the deductible in order to secure the project, but doing so entails an unprofessional commission of insurance fraud.
#6: Hire a Contractor To Replace the Roof
When your claim has been approved, research to find an experienced, trusted contractor with clients who can attest to their high-quality work. You want a contractor who is good not just at roofing but also at navigating insurance claims and thus can be sure to perform the work in compliance with your insurance company’s stipulations.
If you’re looking for a contractor who performs roof replacement in Bloomington, look no further than Oscar Roofing. We are committed to providing excellent service at reasonable prices to accommodate our clients and help them achieve the vision they have for their homes.
#7: Be Prepared To Supplement the Cost
The estimate from the insurance company will most likely not be enough to pay for everything because certain items have not been factored in. To remedy this, have your roofing contractor help you supplement your insurance claim, including any fees that were not taken into consideration, such as:
- Dump fees
- Labor
- Overhead
- Profit
You may encounter resistance from your insurance company regarding certain items, but it is worth the effort if you can get the best payout possible. Even so, you should be prepared to supplement some of the cost from your own pocket.
Oscar Roofing: A Reputable Roofing Contractor You Can Trust With Your Roof Replacement in Bloomington, Indianapolis, and the Surrounding Areas
Oscar Roofing is a family-owned and operated company that has served clients in Indiana since 2003. A top-notch choice for your roof replacement needs, Oscar Roofing offers reasonable prices and excellent service from certified professionals.
Besides roofing inspections, replacements, and repairs, we offer many other exterior remodeling services, including:
- Gutter installation and gutter guards
- Siding repair
- Remodeling for residential and commercial buildings
- Painting, including brick, cabinets, decks and fences, vinyl and aluminum siding
- And more
Contact us today for assistance with navigating the process of appealing to insurance to cover your roofing needs. We will complete the work you need promptly and keep you informed along the way.
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