How to Submit an Insurance Claim for Your Roof
Submitting an insurance claim for a replacement roof is pretty straightforward, if you’re willing to jump through all of the hoops. While your insurance claim process may differ from our outline, in our experience inspecting and helping customers, roof insurance claims often follow a standard process.
Spot damage on your roof that may be related to a storm
It’s always best practice to check for signs of damage after a storm. Look for missing or curled shingles, holes that could be hail marks or anything else that looks out of the ordinary.
Seek out advice from a professional contractor to inspect your roof
Steps 2 & 3 can happen simultaneously, but you’ll definitely want a roofing contractor to come out and assess the damage. Find a local contractor that is familiar with insurance claims. They’ll hop on your roof and carefully assess and document the damage.
Call your insurance to learn more about your specific claims process
Your insurance agent will walk you through all of the steps for submitting your claim. Every insurance company does this a little differently, so reach out to them right away.
Contractor meets with adjustor to discuss the damage
The adjuster will come out to your property to do an inspection. If you have a contractor out beforehand, they can show the adjuster what they found and discuss the plan for repairs. Our team will even meet the adjuster on site, which allows them to showcase the damage in person.
Adjuster compiles a summary report
After his/her inspection, the adjuster will compile a summary report that details the scope and cost of repair.
Contractor reviews summary report to ensure accuracy
The contractor will work with the homeowner and insurance company to revise the scope of work and estimate, if necessary.
Contractor completes the job
Once the summary report is finalized, the contractor will complete the work.
Homeowner receives funds
Typically, the homeowner receives a check for the actual cash value (a representation of the cost of the roof in its current condition). Then, upon completion of the work, the homeowner will receive the rest of the money (the depreciation check).
While there may be some back and forth, the process typically takes 2-4 weeks to complete. Keep in mind, it’s important to find a contractor that understands the roof claims process so that you have an advocate that will fight for what you need on your behalf. The more reputable and knowledgeable the contractor, the better your opportunity to secure the best agreement for you and your family.
*Do your research before signing a contingency report. Work with a local, reputable contractor and avoid storm chasers who come from out of town. They typically perform shoddy work and aren’t around to take care of warranty issues.
