When Your Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
We get a lot of strong storms in Colorado season after season, year after year. And you might think you’re in the clear once a storm has passed through your area and the sun comes back out, but that’s not the case.
After any strong storm, you should have your roof inspected and see if you need to file an insurance claim for wind damage or hail damage. But what happens if your claim is denied? It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s also not the end of the world — you still have options. Here’s what you need to do if your insurance company denies your roofing claim for storm damage.
How to File an Insurance Claim for Your Roof
The process for filing an insurance claim for storm damage is not always simple, but it’s not too bad if you break it down into manageable steps. Here’s a quick summary of what you need to do:
- Before calling your insurance company, review your homeowners insurance policy.
- Document any roof damage.
- Schedule a damage assessment with a roofing contractor. They will also provide you with an estimate.
- Contact your insurance company and file an insurance claim.
- Based on your claim, your insurance company will schedule an appointment for an insurance adjuster to inspect your roof.
As a homeowner, you should always maintain the integrity of your roof and property. If a roof repair is needed, get it taken care of right away. Hire a professional roofing company that will provide a roof inspection and a damage assessment including pictures and a roofing supplement to support your insurance claim.
If your roof damage insurance claim is approved, you should also receive a first check that will cover half of the amount needed that goes to your roofing company to make any necessary repairs or roof replacement. You will also be required to pay your deductible that is listed in your insurance policy.
Once the work is completed, documentation is provided to your insurance company showing that the first check went towards your project. You will be sent a second check to cover any remaining costs that the first check did not cover. This check also goes to your roofing company. After receiving the second check, the job should be paid in full.
If your insurance claim is denied, keep reading.
Why Some Homeowner’s Insurance Claims Are Denied
If your homeowner’s insurance provider denies your roofing claim, they will provide you with details on their decision. In Colorado, the possible reasons for a denied claim can range, but some examples include:
- You waited too long to file a claim. Your typically have one year from the date of damage to file an insurance claim and have work completed.
- The cost to fix your roof is less than your deductible.
- Normal wear and tear or issues due to lack of routine maintenance and repairs.
- Certain types of damage may be limited or excluded from coverage.
- Manufacturer defect.
- You didn’t involve a professional roofer and have necessary documentation.
- The damage isn’t covered by your policy limits.
Sometimes a claim can also be denied if your insurance adjuster is inexperienced, which is a good reason for a re-inspection. Moreover, some insurance companies will deny your claim and require a re-inspection based on the information at hand.
What You Can Do if Your Claim Is Denied
If you feel that your insurance claim was unjustly denied, you can request a second inspection (or a re-inspection) with a different adjuster. During this inspection with the insurance adjuster, have your roofing contractor on-site along with the adjuster.
Contact your roofing company and request that they meet with the insurance adjuster for the inspection to ensure that all damage for your scope of work is discussed. Doing so may help surface damage or issues that were missed in the first inspection.
You can also file an appeal for a denied insurance claim. If, after a re-inspection, your insurance claim is again denied and there is documented hail or storm damage, consider hiring a public adjuster. Public adjusters are specifically trained to handle homeowners’ insurance claims. They have a deep understanding of the insurance industry and the claims process. Bear in mind that no roofing company can tell you they are a public adjuster. It is illegal for a roofing company to act on your behalf in this capacity.
Note that if you choose to appeal a denied insurance claim, make sure you do it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the less chance you have of getting the decision overturned.
We’re Here to Help
Hiring a professional roofing contractor to assess the damage before contacting the insurance company is one of the best things you can do. A roofing contractor can determine the scope and cause of damage and provide documentation to your insurance company. We’ll also provide you with an estimate.
For more information about the roof damage insurance claims process, or to schedule a free roof inspection, contact J&K Roofing today at 303-425-7531 or by clicking here.