
ICHQ | Site Author
One of the most troubling discoveries that a homeowner can make is that there is a leak in the roof. There’s a reason for the common expression “a roof over my head” and the appreciation one has for this: a leaky roof can lead to all sorts of problems. If you have a roof leak, don’t panic; this type of damage is common even in the most well-maintained homes. The experienced law firm of Insurance Claim HQ has some suggestions for how to handle the situation. By following these steps, you can resolve the problem and perhaps even have your insurer cover the costs.
Assess the Severity of the Leak
If there is any leaking taking place, you will need to determine just how bad it is. Some leaks are relatively slow and allow water to gradually build up with time. In other situations, the leak can be fairly abrupt and cause water to quickly come streaming into the home’s interior. Take these steps:
- Identify where water is or may be coming in: You can begin the process with a visual inspection of each room’s ceiling to see if there are any water stains. If water is constantly dripping in a particular area, you might even be able to hear it.
- Damage control: When dealing with insurance, especially, you want to take steps to mitigate damage (which will keep your repair costs down). There are numerous guides online that include steps like clearing the affected area, using buckets to contain bad leaks, and applying a tarp or plastic to the outside of the roof.
- Inspection: Conduct a visual inspection to determine where any holes or openings may be allowing water to come in. You can also reach out to a professional roof inspector or roofing company, discussed in more detail below.
Understand Your Insurance Policy
Next, you will need to know whether your homeowner’s insurance policy covers the damage repair costs. Reviewing your policy and understanding its terms, exclusions, and limitations will help you answer the question: Can I file an insurance claim for a leaking roof? Read the policy, paying close attention to coverage details for making repairs and what, if anything, the insurance pays for.
However, you should know that there may be exclusions and limitations to what insurance will cover. For instance, if the roof leak was caused by homeowner neglect, insurance probably won’t pay for it. The homeowner’s duty is to maintain the home, while insurance generally pays for damage caused by events like hurricanes and severe storms that are outside the homeowner’s control.
If after reading the policy you are unsure what it covers, you can talk to a New Orleans homeowners insurance claim lawyer. This step may be needed if a claim is filed and denied.
Document the Damage
Take pictures of the damage itself, including close-up pictures and those taken at different angles. The objective is to capture images of the holes and other openings where water is coming in. If it is raining when you notice the leak, be sure to contain it (for instance, by placing a bucket under the leak) and record a video that clearly shows how bad the leak is.
But be sure to also document the steps you have taken to mitigate the damage. Include pictures and videos, for instance, of a tarp being placed over the leak. Keep receipts for purchases you have made to mitigate the damage.
When to Contact Your Insurance Company
After you have taken the above steps, you will want to reach out to a roofing contractor. A roofing company can perform a free inspection of your home to determine the nature of the damage and generate an estimate for how much it will cost to fix it. The contractor will prepare a report with this information, which can be given to the insurance company.
Next, it’s time to call the insurance company. The roofing contractor may help you file your claim and deal with the insurance. When you speak with your insurance company, ask how you file your claim and what information is needed. This begins the following phase.
The Claims Process
Once the insurance company has the contractor’s report and other information about the damage, it will review this information along with your policy to determine if the incident is covered. If the claim is approved, the insurer will likely send an adjuster to confirm the roof damage and estimate how much repairs will cost.
If the adjuster provides an estimate that is lower than that provided by the roofing contractor, the policyholder will need to negotiate with the insurer. The contractor might provide additional information to justify a higher amount. Once the amount is agreed upon, the contractor will give a repair schedule to the insurance company. The two parties will communicate as needed to ensure the project is completed.
Why You Should Seek Legal Help
Insurance companies are not perfect, and they sometimes make mistakes in either interpreting the policy terms or assessing the amount of damage. In other cases, insurers deliberately use bad faith tactics like misrepresenting the policy terms, undervaluing the claim, unreasonably delaying communications with the policyholder, and offering unfairly low claim payouts. These tactics are designed to frustrate the policyholder in the hope that he or she will give up and accept less than the claim is worth.
If you are having issues with your insurer paying for your roof damage, you should certainly reach out to a seasoned homeowners insurance claim attorney. However, your attorney can help you with other aspects of your roof damage like preparing and filing the initial claim and negotiating for more money. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our firm if you have questions about your roof leak and whether your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover it.
Claim Denials
Having your claim underpaid or delayed is one thing, but an outright denial can induce anxiety. This is especially the case when you believe the policy should cover the roof leak but the insurance company is refusing to pay. Claim denials can happen for various reasons but usually amount to assertions from the insurance company that:
- The claim was filed too late
- The claim was not filed properly
- The policyholder did not provide the requested information to the insurer
- The policyholder stopped communicating with the insurer
- The policyholder made material misrepresentations when originally obtaining the policy
- The coverage lapsed due to unpaid premiums
- The policyholder failed to fix the damage that existed before the storm
- The roof is too old to be eligible for coverage
You have the right to dispute the denial. Start by ensuring you have paid all your premiums and followed all requirements set forth by your policy. If your policy does cover roof leaks, the amount to fix it exceeds your deductible, and you did not materially misrepresent anything to the insurance company, the insurer should pay for the repairs.
Contact an Attorney About Your Roof Leak Claim
Although these issues are stressful, the insurance company does not necessarily have the last word. If you have questions about the insurer’s actions or decisions, you should have an attorney review the claim and your policy to provide a second opinion. Keep a copy of all communications you have received from the insurance company, along with everything you provided about the roof leak. Then, contact Insurance Claim HQ. We can schedule your consultation today.