Posted on January 24, 2022
ICHQ | Site Author
Storm damage can be devastating for your home, your family, and your finances. Unexpected roof damage can leave you without a safe place to live and destroy property inside your home.
While big storms and other natural disasters can cause obvious, widespread roof damage that requires a full roof replacement, even small and undetected leaks can lead to significant water damage and require costly repairs.
When a storm hits, it’s important to contact an experienced roof damage insurance claim attorney to help ease the burden on you and your loved ones. At Insurance Claim HQ, we know how to communicate with and fight back against your insurance company when your insurance claim is denied. We know that roof damage can place a serious hardship on storm victims and work hard to make the process as smooth as possible.
In this article, we will cover common tactics your insurance company can use to deny your insurance claim, why timing is important in your claim, and who to call after a storm hits your home.
Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Reduce or Deny Insurance Claims
Insurance coverage for roof damage can vary depending on which insurance company protects your home and the details of your specific policy. However, the tactics insurance companies typically use to prevent you from getting the compensation necessary for roof repairs are often similar regardless of who provides your insurance policy. Being aware of these tactics can help you to better prepare and avoid common mistakes when filing a roof insurance claim.
Claiming Poor Maintenance or Previously Existing Damage
After you file a storm damage insurance claim, your insurance adjusters will get to work looking for ways to avoid paying for your repairs. These adjusters may try to claim that the damage in your roof was pre-existing and was only made worse by a hail storm, fallen debris, or other storm-related damage. They will look for any evidence of negligence and attempt to reduce or deny your claim. Be sure to stay on top of routine maintenance and fix any issues to avoid this during your claim’s process.
Claiming Minor Damage Instead of Significant Damage
Insurance adjusters also will try to claim your roof damage is not as extensive as you claim it to be. They may try to minimize the problem as merely a few shingles missing from hail damage, without considering the potential for water damage or other issues associated with a compromised roof. By reducing the estimate on their roof inspection, they will also be reducing the amount of actual cash your home insurance will pay out for repairs.
RELATED: Filing a Roof Repair Insurance Claim – 4 Things To Consider
Why Sooner is Better Than Later When Filing a Roof Damage Insurance Claim
When it comes to filing a roof damage insurance claim, the sooner you file, the better chance you have for success. As time goes on, roof damage could become worse, while the amount your insurance company covers could become less and less.
It is important to get an accurate roof inspection by an independent third party as soon as possible after roof damage occurs so your insurance adjuster can correctly link any damage directly to the storm. The longer you wait to file, the less likely your insurance company is to believe that your roof damage was directly related to the storm. They may deny your claim on the grounds that they were not able to conduct a timely investigation of the damage.
Your insurance policy will likely have ways around paying for these damages, so filing soon is key to your claim’s success.
Get an Estimate from an Independent Roofing Contractor
Insurance policies typically require you to allow their insurance adjuster to provide a free roofing estimate after filing a claim. However, these roofing contractors often downplay the damage and the scale of the necessary repairs, as well as underestimate costs of roofing materials and labor.
Hiring an experienced and independent contractor or public adjuster to provide a second opinion will help to fight back against an unfair claim denial or bogus estimates. If you are able, getting multiple estimates from different roofing companies can improve your chances of getting the most from your homeowners insurance.
RELATED: Recoverable Depreciation & Roofing: When your Insurer Gives you the Runaround
The Value of Hiring an Experienced Roof Insurance Claim Attorney
When filing storm damage insurance claims, it is important to have someone who can help you avoid mistakes and fight back against unfair treatment. An experienced insurance claim attorney, like those at Insurance Claim HQ, will be able to identify a bad estimate from a contractor. They also can work to file a bad faith insurance case against your insurance company and work to ease you through the insurance claim process.
Insurance Claim HQ: Here to Help You Through the Roof Insurance Claim Process
When storms cause roof damage, the impact on you and your loved ones can be serious. At Insurance Claim HQ, we work hard to ensure you get the fair treatment you deserve from the insurance company during your time of need. Our team of experienced insurance claim attorneys is here to help you navigate the complicated roof insurance claim process. We know the tricks your insurance company may use to cheat you out of the compensation you deserve and can help you avoid any potential mistakes.
If you or a loved one are in need of help with any roof insurance claims, call us today at 844-587-8395, or contact us using our simple form today!
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
