How to: Homeowner’s Insurance and Roof Repair

Your roof has been damaged by a storm, hail, wind, or some flying object. First, we’re sorry about that. No one wants a dented or completely torn-up roof. At this point, you may be wondering whether your homeowners insurance pays for the repairs or replacement. It can be a confusing process.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to get your roof repaired or replaced at little to no cost to you.

Review your policy

The first step you need to take is to understand your homeowner’s insurance policy. These policies can vary widely, and not all of them will cover roof damage.

If your roof situation is clearly spelled out as dismissed in your policy, you may not be able to use insurance to cover the cost of repairs or replacement. However, your policy may have some wiggle room for coverage. If you have any questions about your policy, be sure to discuss them with your insurance agent.

We get it. Insurance policies can be complicated, and insurance companies can be scary especially when you’re stressed about damage to your home. But you’re better off knowing exactly where you stand before moving to file a claim or getting an estimate.

Take photos of the damage

Once you have reviewed your policy, it’s time to get some documentation of the damage. This is where roof issues become even more of a pain – you will most likely need to get up on your roof and take pictures of the damage.

Most insurance companies require photos as part of the claim process, so this step is crucial. If possible, try to get time-stamped photos of the damage. This will help to prove when the damage occurred and that it was not pre-existing.

Get a professional opinion

The next step is getting an expert inspection of your roof, which is typically required documentation for filing your insurance claim. A professional roof inspection can also help you determine whether you need simple repairs or an entire roof replacement.

Some insurance companies will set up an inspection if you contact them for it. The downside here is that it will take more time and your roof may need urgent attention, and you are not guaranteed the best inspection quality.

We recommend finding a trusted roofing company that will do the inspection in a cost-effective, timely manner.

At Semper West, we offer a free professional assessment of your roof most often the very same day you contact us, and we can work directly with your insurance company as well.

Know the age of your roof

Depending on material type, quality, and installation process, a roof can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years.

This average life span is where things can get a little tricky. Many insurance companies base your reimbursement not just on the damage done but also on the age of your roof.

For example, if you have an asphalt roof that’s only five or six years old and it needs to be repaired, there’s a good chance your insurance will cover the entire cost of repairs.

However, if your roof is 20 years old and needs to be replaced, you will most likely only receive a partial reimbursement from your insurance company.

The takeaway here is that it’s important to know the age of your roof and what type of roofing material you have. This information will be helpful when discussing coverage options with your insurance provider.

Of course, as a leading roofing contractor serving Frederick and the greater Maryland area for 30 years, Semper West is ready to partner with you and your insurance company for a successful roof repair or replacement.

Get your estimate

Finally, you’ll need to get an estimate for your roof repair or replacement for your claim. Most insurance companies ask for this, and they sometimes want multiple figures.

For roof repairs, you might want two or three roofing contractor bids. For a roof replacement, you will likely only need one estimate.

Our Semper West experts will come to your home, do an inspection and provide you with an estimate for free. We also have many years of experience working with various insurance companies.

Make your claim

Once you have all your documentation and estimates in order, you’re ready to file your claim. At times, this process may be long and frustrating, but it’s important to stay calm and be patient.

Provide your insurance company with the necessary information and stick with the process. More often than not, your repairs will be paid for and – depending upon the extent of your damage — a complete roof replacement may be covered as well.

Then you can start your repairs or replacement!

To mitigate stress and errors throughout this process, work with a roofing repair company that partners with you and advocates for you.

Ready to get the roofing help you need?

If you still have questions or concerns about your roof damage, please reach out. Since Semper West was founded over 30 years ago, we’ve been committed to providing the most attentive, complete, and knowledgeable personal service. And, we do offer a free estimate.