Time Is Running Out To File a Roofing Claim For Damage in 2021

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Time Is Running Out To File a Roofing Claim For Damage in 2021

File a Roofing Claim For Damage in 2021

Colorado weather can be wild and cause major damage to your home and property. In 2021, there were at least five major storms that might have impacted your home, meaning you might have some damage to fix before the next round of storms roll in throughout 2022!

Of course, homeowner’s insurance is one way to cover the cost of repairing any damage, but there are two major factors you need to be aware of for that to happen:

  1. What kind of damage was caused by storms (and the location on your home or property)
  2. When the damage happened

The second factor is important because most insurance companies give you a limited amount of time from the date of damage to file a roofing insurance claim.

To help you get the process started so you can make sure your roof is ready to withstand another storm season, we have a list of significant storm dates in Colorado (see below). Plus, we’ve included some important information you need to know before filing a claim for residential roof repair.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

Typically, your insurance company will give you one year from the date of the storm that caused the damage to file a homeowner’s insurance claim. This is an industry standard, but you should check your homeowner’s insurance policy to be absolutely sure.

Fortunately, there’s still time to file a claim for the biggest storms of 2021, but time’s running out! Start the process now so you don’t get left covering the costs of a full roofing installation.

When Did Major Storms Occur in 2021?

Throughout the Denver Metro area, there were at least 5 significant storms in 2021 that may have caused damage to your roof.

2021 Wind Storms

  • December 15
  • December 30

2021 Hail Storms

  • June 13 (Denver)
  • August 19 (Arvada, Golden, Westminster, Parker, Strasburg, and surrounding areas)
  • September 3 (Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and surrounding areas)

What Do I Need to Do to File an Insurance Claim?

There are a number of steps to take to file a homeowner’s insurance claim for roof damage, but the first is to identify if you have damage, and then understand the scope of it.

Take time to look for damage to your roof and leaks inside your attic and home. Standing outside on the ground, can you see any visible roof damage? Clear signs of damage are things like missing shingles or creased/broken shingles. Hail damage can often appear as divots or indentations on your shingles, and sometimes shingle granules that find their way into your gutters can also indicate hail damage.

Here’s a helpful list of signs that your roof may have sustained storm damage.

​​You will want to call a local roofing company to perform a professional inspection to and perform two important tasks:

1) Identify if you have damage,

2) Document your scope of damage before you file an insurance claim.

Whenever you have all the information you need in order, then it’s time to file your claim. They’ll send an adjuster out to review and verify the damage before authorizing the work. Regardless of your insurance, you can choose the roofing company that you would like to do your replacement or repair.

What About My Deductible?

You will be required to pay your insurance deductible before your homeowner’s insurance kicks in to cover the remaining costs. For example, if you have a $2,000 deductible, you will have to pay that to the insurance company before they cover the rest of the work. That’s true no matter how significant the damage or how large the estimate is for completing the installation or repair.

Be aware that Colorado law prevents a roofing company from paying, waiving, or rebating a homeowner’s insurance deductible. The reasoning is that this legally protects the homeowner from fraudulent roofing contractors and helps prevent insurance fraud.

Take Advantage of a Free Roof Inspection

If you’re unsure of what kind of damage your roof might have sustained during last year’s storms, it’s best to call in a professional for a roof inspection. Our J&K Roofing team is experienced in navigating the insurance claim process, and we’re experienced with Colorado weather—we know what to look for.

Remember: your roof is your home’s first line of defense against inclement weather—you can’t afford to let any damage go unnoticed! Get in touch with us today.

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When Is The Best Time To Review Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage?

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When Is The Best Time To Review Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage?

best homeowners insurance

Keeping your home in the best shape possible isn’t just about doing standard maintenance and preparing it for changing seasons; it’s also about making sure your home is covered with the best homeowners insurance policy you can get.

If you’ve been with the same insurance provider for more than a couple years, you might be benefiting from a loyalty discount, but that shouldn’t stop you from reviewing your policy from time to time to make sure your coverage suits your needs. That’s especially true if you’ve completed any renovations or done any improvements that might increase the value of your home.

So when is the best time to review your homeowners insurance coverage? You aren’t limited to a particular time frame, but there are some key events to consider that could help you save money.

How often can you change homeowners insurance?

You can change your homeowners insurance policy as often as you like, but you might be charged a fee for switching before your renewal date. These fees can be as low as $25. Some insurance companies will let you cancel or modify your policy before your renewal date, so it’s best to double check.

When is the best time to review your homeowners insurance coverage?

There are a number of scenarios that may motivate you to review your coverage, and we’ve pulled together five of the most common ones.

Annually Before Your Renewal Date

A few weeks before your renewal date, you should receive a notice from your insurance provider that your renewal date is approaching. Just like with car insurance, it’s good to shop around from time to time to make sure you’re getting the best value and are adequately covered. According to Policygenius, an online aggregator of various insurance providers, average savings from shopping around for home and car insurance add up to $455 annually.

But to make the right switch for your situation, you should research the steps involved with changing your homeowners insurance.

Home Renovations

You work hard to make your home a nice, livable space, and your insurance coverage should offer adequate protection that fits with your home’s value. It’s best to review your coverage whenever you’re planning to make modifications to your home, including:

Updates to Home Safety Features

If you’ve updated your home for safety purposes, like installing railing around your deck or front porch, or added smart safety devices to your home, you might be able to get rewarded by your insurance provider. Look for discounts that may be available based on your home improvements.

Other Additions

When you add new features to your home like a swimming pool, a hot tub, or even a backyard swing set, it’s best to make sure your policy provides adequate coverage. For example, you must make sure you’re covered in the event of an accident. Some enhancements to your home are especially attractive to children, and you could be liable for any injury that takes place on your property—even if someone is trespassing.

Bringing a new pet home is another addition that could mean a change to your policy. Make sure you’re covered in case your new dog doesn’t get along with the mailman!

Property Inflation Adjustment

It’s just a fact of property ownership that costs tend to increase from time to time. Typically, your homeowners insurance provider will make an adjustment for property inflation automatically, but it’s always good to know for sure by reviewing your policy and asking if needed.

Take Time to Understand Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

Not all homeowners insurance policies are the same, and it’s up to you to make sure yours is the best fit for your home. Beware of cheap homeowners insurance policies that don’t sufficiently protect your home and your family. And make sure you know what goes into filing a homeowners insurance claim for renovations like getting a new roof.

Know the Difference Between Replacement Cost Value and Actual Cash Value

There are two types of homeowners claims, a replacement cost and an actual cash value, and it is important to know the difference. Reimbursement for either type of claim will depend on your level or coverage so reviewing your coverage beforehand can be beneficial in knowing what to expect. Both levels of coverage can help cover the cost of rebuilding your house or replacing your belongings, but the two differ in terms of how your claim payment is calculated. While both types of coverage help with the costs of rebuilding your home or replacing damaged items after a covered loss, actual cash value policies are based on the items’ depreciated value while replacement cost coverage does not account for depreciation.

Hiring a Roofing Company That Works With Insurance Claims

If you suspect that your home has roof damage, contacting a trusted roofing company first can help you before reaching out to your insurance company. J&K Roofing has performed countless roof replacements for homeowners and helped them navigate their roof insurance claim process. We have worked claims from all insurance companies and know the questions to ask and how to help you navigate your claim. If you are in the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, or Northern Colorado areas, call us today to schedule your free inspection.

 

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How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim to Cover Your New Roof?

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How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim to Cover Your New Roof?

Rooftops can take a beating-especially in Colorado, where we experience an intense storm season and infamous temperature fluctuations. If your roof has suffered irreparable damage or has been neglected for some time, you may find you need to replace the whole roof.

This can be an expensive and inconvenient project. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to have your insurance help shoulder some of the cost of a new roof.

1. Get to Know Your Policy

Your Homeowners Insurance policy will clearly stipulate what situations are covered, and which are not. If you are looking to replace a roof due to hail damage, for example, some plans will require an additional hail clause. You may also be required to pay a separate or higher deductible in the case of wind or hail damage.

2. Verify Damage

After a storm, do a thorough inspection of the damage. If you can spot any issues, it is a good idea to contact a local roofing company to schedule an inspection.

3. Schedule a Roof Inspection

You will want to call a local roofing company to perform a professional inspection. A roofing contractor will be able to spot and thoroughly document any damage across your property.

They can also provide any repair estimates that may be required by your insurance adjuster. Be sure to hire a local company that is familiar with your state’s weather, guidelines, and typical insurance scenarios.

Local roofers will also be readily available to lend a hand and answer questions throughout the insurance process.

4. File Your Claim

Once you have gathered your documentation and your inspection is complete, it is time to file your claim. Keep in mind that, in the case of storm damage, many policies require you to file a claim within one year of the reported damage.

The filing process is often done completely online through your insurance company’s website.

5. Meet With Your Insurance Adjuster and Roofing Contractor

With the damage to your property documented and verified, it is time to bring your insurance adjuster into the mix. J&K Roofing offers to meet with your adjuster to review and discuss the condition of your roof and recommended replacement.

6. Hire a Trustworthy Contractor

Once you have approval from the insurance, you can hire a contractor and begin the repairs process. Again, you will want to hire a local roofing company that readily shows you licensing and insurance certifications.

Be wary of roofing scammers who knock on your door after a storm with offers that seem too good to be true, or who offer free work in exchange for personal information.

7. Stay In Touch With Your Adjuster

Your insurance adjuster and roofing contractor will handle the majority of the paperwork from here, but check in often to see if they need anything further from you. Once you have paid for your deductible, your adjuster will let you know when and how funds will be disbursed to cover the remainder of the project.

Replacing your roof can be stressful, but J&K Roofing is here to help. We pride ourselves on being the Calm after the Storm℠ and we will work with you every step of the way to make sure your roof is restored.

If you are in the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, or Northern Colorado areas, call us today to schedule your free inspection.

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