It’s difficult enough to get your storm-damaged roof repaired through the insurance process. But when your claim is rejected, the stress level increases.
Unfortunately, I frequently witness this. Homeowners are left with more questions than answers when it does occur.
Just be aware that a first denial does not necessarily signal the end of the case. What options do you have if the insurance provider rejects your roof claim?
The staff at Bill Ragan Roofing has been open and honest with homeowners about the difficult and drawn-out insurance procedure for more than 30 years. As a result, I want to assist you to comprehend your alternatives if your insurance company rejects a claim for roof damage.
The following are covered in this article:
- The reason for your insurance claim being rejected.
- If insurance rejects your roof claim, what can you do?
- Can a roofing contractor do anything to help your claim be approved?
- The reason for your insurance claim being rejected.
- Let’s examine the reasons why your roof damage claim was initially rejected before moving on to what you can do. Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why the insurance company can reject your claim.
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS IF YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM IS DENIED?
A denial of an insurance claim is not always final. There are certain things you can take to change the insurance company’s decision.
Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
Roofs are inspected by insurance claims adjusters frequently each year. They are not, however, roofing experts. They can misdiagnose a problem with your roof as a result. Remember that they speak for the insurance provider, not you. So, if you think the adjuster’s evaluation is flawed, you can get a roofing company to do a qualified roof examination.
To find out how your roof was damaged and the extent of the damage, a contractor can arrive at the scene and assess the damage as-is. A qualified roofer can also offer advice on how to repair the roof. Getting an inspection is similar to getting a second doctor’s opinion.
It doesn’t always resolve your insurance issue, but it can support or refute the appraiser’s findings.
FILE AN APPEAL
You might need to submit a formal appeal if trying to convey your stance to the claims adjuster for your insurance company isn’t yielding any results. Once your claim is rejected, you only have a short window of opportunity to take this action. Your homeowner’s insurance policy will normally explain the appeals process.
When a formal appeal is submitted, the claim is reviewed. Include as much proof and data as you can with your appeal to back up your assertion that the damages you allege should be compensated. Your chances of getting a claim review are better the better organized you are when presenting this material.
CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL IN INSURANCE CLAIMS
A licensed public insurance adjuster or an insurance lawyer may be able to provide you with the answers you need to overturn the refusal. A public adjuster can examine the coverage provided by your homeowner’s insurance, record and appraise your losses, and negotiate the highest payment permitted by the terms of your policy.
FORMALLY COMPLAIN IN WRITING
The insurance sector is governed. However, property claim disputes and bad faith lawsuits are clogging up Florida’s courts. Therefore, if you think the insurance provider is not managing your case effectively, you might need to explore another path.
Your insurance company is required to handle your property claim equitably if you are a policyholder in good standing (your payments are paid). You have the choice to submit a formal complaint to the Florida insurance commissioner if your claim was handled illegally. The procedure could be drawn-out and challenging. However, if you can avoid spending thousands of dollars on a new roof, it can be worthwhile.
Insurers frequently reject roof damage claims for the reasons listed below:
Contacting a structural engineer
After the second adjuster denies your claim, if you’re still convinced there is roof damage and want to pursue it, you can speak with a structural engineer. They will conduct an examination and provide the insurance provider with documentation proving that the roof must be replaced due to structural issues.
It is only advised to do this if the insurance adjusters are irrational and only seldom done. Even this may still go wrong, though.
You’ll either have to take the risk or explore legal options that we aren’t qualified to discuss.
- Nothing was damaged.
- incorrectly installing a roof
- inadequate ventilation in the attic
- manufacturing flaw
- You submitted your Policy exclusions too late.
- When your policy first began, the roof was outdated.
- An earlier storm caused damage to your roof.
- Unfortunately, for the majority of these causes, there is little you can do. However, your insurance provider must provide a justification for the claim denial.
If the insurance provider rejects your roof claim, what can you do?
Let’s discuss your alternatives if your initial claim is rejected after discovering the reason why. You have no control over the majority of the reasons, so keep that in mind.
However, if you’re adamant that your roof has storm damage and your claim is rejected because the adjuster claims they didn’t locate any or enough damage, you can double and even quadruple-check your roof.
Requesting another adjuster
The simplest approach to obtain a second opinion from a fresh set of eyes is to request that your insurance provider send out a different adjuster. Sadly, I observe that some insurance firms refuse to send homeowners a second adjuster.
Just be aware that you have the right to a second adjuster. Following their examination, they will either accept your claim or concur with the initial adjuster that it lacks merit.
Is there anything a roofing contractor can do to get your claim approved?
When there are issues with their claim being granted, the majority of homeowners turn to their roofing contractor. I’ve therefore had numerous inquiries over the years questioning “Why is my claim being refused if you indicated I had roof damage?”
The truth is that whether or not the claim is granted is entirely out of your roofing contractor’s control. The insurance adjuster will have the last say on whether to accept or reject your claim, but they can search for and record any indicators of storm damage.
The insurance adjuster is the only person who may advance the approval procedure, even if the roofing contractor is satisfied that you require a new roof due to storm damage. However, this does not imply that your roofing contractor is ineffective at this time.
A roofing contractor with insurance experience will battle to guarantee that your policy is followed if you employ them. To prove that your residence was in the storm’s path, they provide documentation or retrieve hail/wind maps.
However, after your claim is accepted, the battle for you typically doesn’t end. Additionally, they will add to your insurance claim to make sure your roof receives all the support it needs.
A roofing contractor is ultimately your advisor and partner during the insurance claim procedure. Finding a professional you can trust and who has experience is vital.
Answers to the most common queries about roof insurance claims
You now understand the reasons your insurance claim was rejected, what you can do to fix it, and what a roofing contractor may do to help. Keep in mind that the insurance adjuster alone has the authority to approve your claim.
You ought to be aware of what to do after reading this article in terms of filing an insurance claim. Unfortunately, pursuing an insurance claim further simply raises more queries.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if the majority of your queries about insurance could be answered in one place? It would be, of course.
To address the top 9 insurance-related queries that homeowners have concerning their roof damage claim, I produced another post.
Bill Ragan Roofing’s staff has assisted thousands of homeowners in Nashville and the surrounding Middle Tennessee communities with their insurance claims since the company’s founding in 1990. To make sure your roof is taken care of in accordance with your policy agreement, we collaborate with you and the insurance carrier.
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