Many people are under the impression that if their roof sustains damage from wind, rain, or hail, their insurance company will pay to have it repaired or replaced. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, especially if the damage was caused by faulty installation in the first place. If you’ve just received a denial letter from your insurance company regarding your roof claim and want to know what to do next, here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Review the reason for denial
It can be discouraging to find out that your roof insurance claim denied. This is not an uncommon occurrence, and it can be difficult to know what you should do next if this happens. You will want to investigate the reason for the denial first, so you can figure out how to handle the situation. It may be possible that you simply need some extra documentation or a bit more time in order to make your case. If you are unsuccessful with your appeal, then there are some other options available as well. You may consider finding someone who specializes in roofing repairs, such as a contractor or general contractor. You could also hire a lawyer to represent you on this issue. These two solutions would take up most of your time and energy, but they could potentially lead to positive results. The first option might be quicker than the second, but both of these solutions would provide peace of mind while restoring your home’s value.
Check for errors
It can be a difficult and emotionally taxing experience when your roof insurance claim denied. It’s hard not to feel like you’re being punished for something you’ve done wrong, or that the company doesn’t believe in your claim. But don’t despair! There are many things you can do next.
You can always contact the customer service department of the insurance company who denied your claim and see if they will reconsider it. Sometimes they’ll offer you more information, documentation, or evidence that will help them make a decision on your case. If they’re still not satisfied with what they find, then ask them what other options may be available for you and if there are any other ways that their company could help get your roof replaced. Be sure to document everything you share so that you have a record of your communication with the insurance company.
Gather more evidence
If you have your roof insurance claim denied, don’t fret. You may need more evidence of the damage. The first step is to gather any documentation relating to your roof such as photos of the roof before and after a storm, receipts for materials bought in preparation for a storm, or other documents that show how much it would cost to fix or replace the damaged part of the roof. If you were denied because you failed to notify your insurance company within 48 hours of discovering the damage, ask yourself if there was any way you could not have been aware at that time. If so, contact your insurance company again with this new information. Provide all relevant data about when and where the damage occurred, who caused it (if known), why you weren’t notified sooner and what repairs are needed. Remember: Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home; don’t allow a small hiccup like an insurance denial to derail the renovations on your roof!
File an appeal
If your roof insurance claim denied, you’re not out of luck. You have the right to appeal the decision. In some cases, the insurance company will even send you a denial letter that includes information on how to go about appealing. The first step is contacting your state insurance department and providing them with any additional information they need in order to help you make your case for coverage. It’s also important to document all damages incurred as a result of the storm or other event that led to your roof damage. If you are still unsuccessful after following these steps, you may want to consult an attorney.
Don’t let this discourage you from filing an insurance claim; it just means that there was some sort of discrepancy which prevented approval.
Contact your state insurance department
If you’ve filed a roof insurance claim denied and it was denied, don’t despair! You may be eligible for coverage that you just didn’t know about. Your first step should be to contact your state insurance department. They will likely have information on whether or not the company you’ve filed with is licensed and accredited in your state. If they are, they may also have information on why your claim was denied and what steps you can take from there.
If the company is unlicensed or unaccredited in your state, then unfortunately, it would not be possible for them to provide coverage for such a loss and you’ll need to file a dispute with their headquarters directly. They should then get back in touch with you about how the dispute process will work. Most companies offer some form of reimbursement during this time as well if you find yourself without roofing while waiting on the dispute to conclude. It’s always worth it to try and reach out before filing anything so they can hopefully help you through the entire process more easily.
The worst thing anyone could do is assume everything will work out when in reality, filing a roof insurance claim denied that was initially denied could lead to an even bigger headache down the line. And who wants that?
