A home’s roof is susceptible to damage from various weather conditions and external factors. For example, hurricanes, tropical storms, hail, and tornadoes can cause severe damage to a roof, which if left unaddressed, can result in water-logging and other water-related damage to the home.
Roof damage claims are common in the insurance industry, with causes ranging from windstorms such as hurricanes and tornadoes, hail, sinkholes, fire, explosions, and collapse. In many cases, roof damage is just one aspect of the damage incurred by the property, and each roof damage claim presents a unique set of circumstances. Therefore, it is essential to compile a list of the specific circumstances before filing a claim for roof damage.
One crucial aspect to consider before filing a claim is to review the homeowner’s insurance policy to understand the coverage limitations and exclusions. It may also be wise to have the roof inspected by a professional to obtain an accurate estimate of the repair costs.
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Texas Residential Roof Damage Insurance Attorney
Is your adjuster unwilling to negotiate a greater settlement? Do you believe your rights as a policyholder have been violated? The insurance attorneys at LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC are proven insurance litigators with more than three decades of combined experience. They will use this experience to your advantage and fight to ensure you receive the best settlement possible for your damage claim.
You can schedule a consultation with an attorney on our website. We assist clients across the state of Texas.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Roof Damage?
Homeowner’s insurance typically covers most types of roof damage, but some insurance providers may try to limit their liability. In such cases, it is advisable to seek the help of an insurance attorney to handle the matter on your behalf instead of dealing with the insurance company alone. The specific coverage will depend on the terms and conditions of the insurance policy. Typically, homeowner’s insurance covers roof damage caused by events like fire, lightning, hail, windstorms, and falling objects. Some policies may also cover damage caused by water, such as that resulting from burst pipes or overflowing gutters.
However, it’s important to note that there may be certain exclusions or limitations to coverage for roof damage. For example, damage caused by wear and tear, neglect, or pre-existing conditions may not be covered. Similarly, some policies may only cover the actual cash value of the damaged roof, rather than the full replacement cost.
Roof damage caused by wind, hurricane, and hail damage should be covered by a standard policy if you live beyond the Gulf. Homeowner’s along the Gulf with added protection for such perils will also be protected. In addition to the roof, homeowner’s insurance should also cover the contents of your home that were damaged as a result of the roof damage.
It’s always best to review your insurance policy carefully and talk to your insurance agent to understand the specific coverage and limitations related to roof damage. If you experience roof damage, be sure to document the damage thoroughly and file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible to ensure timely resolution.
Filing a Property Damage Claim for Your Roof
Generally, insurance policies have a specific time limit for filing a claim, so it’s important to act quickly. You should file a claim as soon as you notice the damage, even if you’re not sure if it’s covered by your policy. Your insurance company can help you determine if the damage is covered and provide guidance on next steps.
Additionally, if the damage is severe and poses a safety risk, you should take steps to protect your property from further damage while waiting for the insurance adjuster to arrive. This may include covering holes or broken windows with tarps or boards.
Remember to document the damage with photos and notes, and keep all receipts for any expenses you incur as a result of the damage. This will help support your claim and ensure that you receive appropriate compensation.
The deadlines for filing a roof claim with insurance can vary depending on the insurance company and the terms of your specific policy. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow:
- Report the damage as soon as possible: Most insurance policies require you to report any damage as soon as it happens or as soon as you become aware of it.
- Meet the deadline for filing a claim: Many insurance companies require you to file a claim within a specific timeframe after the damage occurs, such as 30 days or 60 days. If you don’t file within the specified time frame, you may not be able to make a claim.
- Document the damage: Take photos and detailed notes of the damage as soon as it happens. This will help support your claim and ensure that you receive appropriate compensation.
- Cooperate with the insurance company: Be available for any inspections or evaluations the insurance company needs to perform. Provide any requested documentation or information in a timely manner.
- Mitigate further damage: Take steps to protect your property from further damage, such as covering holes or broken windows with tarps or boards. This can help minimize your losses and reduce the likelihood of additional damage.
It’s important to review your specific insurance policy to understand the deadlines and requirements for filing a roof claim. If you’re unsure about the process, contact your insurance company for guidance.
Evidence of Roof Damage
Thunderstorms, hail storms, hurricanes and fallen trees can cause great damage to your roof. It is vital you document damage to your roof as soon as you become aware of it. Make sure you take photos. If you take them with your phone, there will usually be a meta tag that can be used as evidence of the date.
Be very thorough when looking for damage. If anything is left out of the claim, it will not be repaired. Things to look for when reviewing a roof for damage include:
- Large holes
- Separated or uplifted nails
- Missing or broken shingles
- Interior leaks
- Lifted roof membranes
- Broken Trusses
After a home insurance company decides to cover the cost for a roof damage claim, a contractor will need to be called in order to repair any damages. The roof damage claim will cover the cost in many cases. In cases where there is only partial coverage, the roof damage claim will cover about 30 to 40 percent of the full fee from the contractors.
Roof Damage Claim Circumstances
First, a home owner must provide evidence of the circumstances that caused the roof damage. Insurance companies like to know the age and condition of the roof beforehand. Also, what type of roofing system is involved, such as asphalt shingle, ceramic, metal tile, sheet metal or built-up flat roof. Any maintenance records should also be provided and building codes should be considered.
The obvious circumstances of a roof damage claim are uplifted roof membrane, broken or missing shingles, gouge marks from debris, scouring of shingles, and broken or missing roof shingles. A breach in a building’s envelop can cause an increase in internal pressure that can lead to uplift or compromise of a wall system.
There are also other signs for roof damage claims that are not as obvious. Sometimes damaged rooftops do not show obvious signs of damage. This could be misleading if there is a leak in the home with no exterior signs of damage. When this is the case, the roof may be damaged from the interior.
It is possible for the underside of the roof membrane to be damaged by torqueing from an A/C unit which can cause leaking. Separated or uplifted nails between the roof trusses or sheathing from uplifting wind pressure are other difficult problems to notice. Difficult cases like this often lead to disagreements with insurance adjusters when filing roof damage claims.
Common reasons for a denial of a roof claim
- Lack of maintenance: If your roof has not been properly maintained, your insurance company may deny your claim. This could include failing to clean gutters, repair leaks, or replace damaged shingles.
- Wear and tear: Roofs naturally deteriorate over time due to exposure to the elements. If your roof is old and worn out, your insurance company may deny your claim.
- Pre-existing damage: If your roof was damaged before you purchased your insurance policy, your claim may be denied. Insurance companies typically only cover damage that occurs after the policy is in effect.
- Exclusions in your policy: Some insurance policies may exclude certain types of damage, such as damage caused by earthquakes or floods. If your roof was damaged in one of these events, your claim may be denied.
- Incorrect installation: If your roof was not installed correctly, your insurance company may deny your claim. This could include using the wrong materials or failing to follow local building codes.
- Fraud: If an insurance company suspects that the damage to your roof was caused intentionally or through fraudulent means, your claim may be denied.
It’s important to read and understand your insurance policy and to properly maintain your roof to help prevent a claim from being denied.
My Settlement Offer is Not Enough
Insurance was designed to be there for policyholders when their property is damaged. Though many insurance providers will claim they are on your side, this is not always the case.
Adjusters may deliberately offer low settlements right off the bat because they know you are desperate to repair the damage. You may try to negotiate with the adjuster for a greater settlement, only to find they are unwilling to budge. You should contact an insurance attorney if you have found yourself in this situation.
Adjusters are skilled negotiators who will use various tactics to have you accept the lowest offer. An insurance lawyer can advise you how to negotiate with these individuals and if need be, they can negotiate on your behalf. An attorney can also help you sue the adjuster in court if they have acted in bad faith.
Handling hail claims in bad faith is against the law. If a judge does find the company acted in bad faith, you could be awarded up to three times the amount of your claim, attorney fees and other damages deemed appropriate by the court.
Our consultation is FREE. If we accept your case, we will prosecute your case on a pure contingency-fee basis, which means that you will not be obligated to pay us any attorney’s fees or reimburse us for the costs incurred in your case unless we obtain money for you.
