Your homeowner’s insurance should cover some types of roof damage, but it will not cover general wear and tear. The general rule is that roof insurance claims work for sudden events or acts of nature, like a fire or a tree branch falling onto your roof. If you think you may qualify for a roof insurance claim, the guide below can walk you through the filing process.

Who to Call First – Roofing Company or Insurance Company?

After a storm or damaging event, you have the option to call a roofing company or contact your insurance provider. Some insurance companies work exclusively with specific roofers, and they will only pay for repairs that they find. This doesn’t always work in your favor because the insurance company wants to pay for as little as possible. If you get a separate opinion from a roofer, you may have a more accurate view of what your roof repair will entail.

You may benefit from calling a roofing company first and then contacting your insurance company with an outline of repairs. On the flip side, you may want to contact your insurance provider first to determine if they will allow you to select your own roof inspector. There isn’t a straightforward answer for this part of the process, but no matter what, you need a professional to assess the situation.

What to Expect During Your Roofing Insurance Claim

Here is an overview of how your roof insurance claim may work, assuming you contact the roofing company first:

1. Find a roof inspector to assess and document the damages on your roof. This will help you determine if you should file an insurance claim or go a different route for repairs.
2. File a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage. The insurance company will then schedule an adjuster to assess the damage in person.
3. Get approved to file your insurance claim. If the adjuster believes the damage is from wear and tear, they will likely deny your attempt. You can ask questions ahead of time to find out what your policy covers and what your deductible will be.
4. Get a repair estimate from the roofing company. They may have started this in step one, but now they can share the estimate with the insurance company to negotiate compensation.
5. Have the roofing company complete the necessary roof repairs. If the repair materials, such as matching shingles, are no longer available, your insurance company may agree to pay for some or all of the cost of a roof replacement. You can discuss this with your roofer and insurance company ahead of time to prepare for your out-of-pocket expenses.
6. The insurance company compensates you, the roofing company, or your mortgage provider for the damage. If they send the funds to your mortgage lender, the lender will put the funds in escrow and pay the roofers once the work is complete.
7. Pay your deductible or any extra expenses from the roofing company. For example, if your insurance company only paid for repairs but you opted to get a new roof, you would be responsible for the difference in cost.

Your lender may want a follow-up inspection after work is complete to ensure that it was done correctly. They have a vested interest in the home, just like you do, and they want to protect their investment.

Reasons Not to File a Roof Insurance Claim

Insurance claims aren’t the ideal fixes for every scenario. The most common reason to avoid filing a claim is if the damage is minor enough to fall below your deductible. You can pay for the repairs out of pocket and avoid alerting your insurance company, thereby lowering your risk of a payment increase.

Your roof damage may fall in a grey area for coverage. Fighting with the insurance company could take a while, which leaves your roof vulnerable to further damage. You may opt to get the repairs completed to protect your house and then pursue compensation from your insurance company.

McLean Roofing and Siding Offers Roof Repairs for Insurance Claims

At McLean Roofing and Siding, we strive to make the claims process as stress-free as possible. We have no control over how your insurance company operates, but we can ensure a positive experience on the inspection and repair side. We offer quality roof repairs, long-lasting roof replacements, and other roofing services for insurance claims.

Give us a call at (248) 524-1111 to schedule a roof inspection for an insurance claim.