Insurance claims never seem simple, and they rarely are straightforward. However, when it comes to roofing claims, a large pain point can be lessened by having a professional roofing contractor on your side.
Here are 6 tips that will give you the best chance of success when filing your roofing insurance claim in Lexington, KY.
Key Takeaways
- Document periodically, especially before winter or when you know a storm is coming.
- Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy and have a good idea of your coverage before contacting a third party.
- Get only professional contractors to give you repair or replacement estimates.
- Let your insurance company know about your claim as soon as you have repair estimates in.
- Make everyone’s job easy by keeping everything organized and keep up with documentation through the whole process.
Go from Assessment to Approval Confidently with These 6 Roofing Insurance Tips
Preparing for your insurance claim begins long before you need to file one. Preparations especially before winter season or a known incoming storm can save you a lot of time and effort later on.
These 6 roofing insurance tips give you what you need to get those claims approved with as little hassle as possible.
1. Document Periodically, Even Seasonally
Your roof might start to show its wear and tear as the weather gets warmer and the effects of the winter season begin to show in Lexington, KY. Balding or cracked shingles needing replacement become evident.
The aftermath of a storm should be even more obvious. Shingles may be missing altogether, or sections of a roof lifted up or warping. Seasonal damage may be a little harder to prove, but storm damage would hopefully be more evident.
Take “before” photos:
- Before the cold weather really sets in, get some wide angle shots of your roof that give you a good idea of its condition.
- Before a known incoming storm, take wide angle photos of the roof, and some closer photos that will help you identify storm damage.
Take “after” photos:
- Match the photo angles as much as you can to clearly show whatever needs repair.
- Take close-up photos of clearly damaged areas to show their full extent.
- Document everything, even if you are not sure of the timeline. Let the professionals decide what was recent or caused by the storm.
Label the photos clearly, especially with dates and times. If you need to do any temporary repairs to keep you and your possessions safe, document the “before” and “after” to make it clear the repairs were needed.
Keep all the receipts for temporary repairs and if possible, have a professional assessor over before you make any.
The more that insurance adjusters in Lexington have to justify their granted claims, the better it is for you.
2. Know Your Policy Inside and Out
Your insurance policy likely has a deductible that you want to review. If all you need to make are small repairs that are not likely to exceed your deductible, filing a claim might not be helpful.
At the same time, you definitely want a full assessment of your roof to know if there is anything you need to take care of early, before it gives you trouble later. Some insurance companies in Lexington withhold approval of a claim for negligence.
What do you need to look out for in your policy?
- Your deductible, which is your cash-out before the insurance company does a payout. Repairs that do not exceed your deductible would not require a claim.
- “Replacement cost” is when you get a payout of whatever you actually spent on repairs or replacement.
- “Actual cash value” is what you get based on the value of your roof at the time it was repaired or replaced.
- “Exclusions” tell you what your policy does not cover, such as flooding for Kentucky.
If you need any help understanding the nuances of your policy, you may want to consider consulting with a legal team.
3. Get Multiple Repair Estimates from Credible Sources
There are a number of persons who can do credible repair estimates on your behalf, depending on state law.
In Kentucky, a public adjuster can communicate with an insurance agency on your behalf. They are employed by the insured (you) to review the damages, consider your policy, and propose a payout based on repair estimates.
A professional roofing contractor can also assess your roof and come up with the repair or replacement cost estimates that you need.
This is where your documentation comes in handy.
If an insurance company can prove negligence or that damage to your roof is older than the reason for your claim, it can deny the policy.
You need to look for local professionals with experience in navigating insurance claims, who are also very familiar with the effects of cold weather and high humidity on a house.
When any insurance adjuster comes, whether from the company or a public adjuster, be sure to have your local Lexington roofing contractor with you. They can give their professional opinion to back up your claim.
4. Update Your Insurance Company About Your Claim
As soon as you have detailed roofing repair or replacement estimates on hand, contact your insurance company. Typically, you have between 1 month and 1 year to file your claim in Lexington.
However, timeliness is everything.
Proving that damage happened within a specific time period is crucial. The longer you wait, the longer your roof might show additional damage not related to the claim.
Your home may be at risk of structural damage, and you will need the insurance company’s approval to make any permanent repairs.
The sooner you start the process, the sooner your claim can be reviewed.
As soon as you have those detailed estimates on hand from your roofing contractor or public adjuster, or both, contact your insurance company and file your claim.
5. Be the Most Organized Person in the Room
Never assume that another person can know your own policy claim better than you can. Here are some organizational tips that may help you in filing a claim:
- Print out your insurance policy, and physically bookmark the sections related to your filed claim.
- Compile receipts and reports from all of your previous roof repairs, replacements, or assessments. These prove that you have not been negligent in caring for your roof.
- Write down or print out every applicable conversation with your Lexington insurance company. Include names, positions, numbers, call times, and so forth.
- Have a digital drive including folders and photos that give the insurance adjuster everything they need.
One thing that prolongs an insurance claim is when the insured cannot quickly access what they need to prove they are within coverage.
The more organized you are, the more negotiating power you have with your insurance company.
6. Take Sustainable Steps Throughout the Process
The claims process can take weeks, or even months, depending on the extent of repairs or replacement that you need done in your Lexington, KY home. Since you have advance warning, make sure to live sustainably.
Have a clear checklist of steps to take for your insurance claim:
- Obsessively document your roof, both general and up close
- Contact a professional roofing contractor or public adjuster to give you repair or replacement estimates
- Contact your insurance company to get the claim process started
- Document every interaction and development related to your claim
Once the claim process is started, have a scheduled period for following up if you aren’t receiving any updates. The schedule will help manage any panic-related actions, and should keep the whole process on track.
Barrier Roofs Can Help You Navigate Your Roofing Insurance Claim in Lexington, KY
As a professional contractor with over 10 years of experience, Barrier Roofs can help assess your home for repair or replacement, provide you with cost estimates, and present the findings to your insurance adjuster. Let us help you navigate your next claim. Contact us today at (859) 605-1079, and let us get you through that insurance claim.