5 Most Common Questions about Insurance & Roof Repairs in Houston

5 Most Common Questions about Insurance & Roof Repairs in Houston

5 Most Common Questions about Insurance & Roof Repairs in Houston

Between the paperwork and red tape, filing a claim with your insurance company for a roof repair can be confusing. It’s important for you to stay informed about the care of your home and ask questions about your insurance coverage, especially if you’re unsure how your insurance plan will affect your roof. 

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Top Answers from Our Houston Roofing Experts

Leave your stress at the door. Our experts are qualified as GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractors to assist in your roof repair or replacement. The insurance process can be frustrating and complicated, but we’re here to help. Get the answers you need to the most common questions about insurance and roof repair.

  1. Who should I contact first if my roof is damaged?
  2. Does homeowner’s insurance cover roof damage?
  3. How much will insurance pay for roof repair?
  4. Will my insurance company cover a full replacement?
  5. If I don’t have insurance coverage, can I still get my roof repaired?

1) Who should I contact first if my roof is damaged?

If you notice a missing shingle or leaking ceiling, don’t wait to contact a representative at Royal Crown Roofing to schedule a free inspection. Small defects left untreated can cause more damage over time, which can directly affect your insurance coverage. After your roof inspection, our team will set up a temporary repair and assist you in the insurance claim process.

2) Does homeowners insurance cover roof damage?

Yes and no. The dwelling coverage section in your insurance policy involves the protection of your home structure, which would include your roof. Most homeowners’ insurance protects against a limited amount of perils such as fire, heavy winds, and hail damage. However, certain exclusions against windstorms or hail might exist in your policy and fail to cover your emergency roof repair. Insurance carriers consider it a homeowner’s responsibility to care for their roof. That being said, damages from a leaky roof or general wear and tear are normally not covered by homeowners’ insurance. 

Pro Tip: Read your insurance policy to check for any exclusions that would affect your roof repair. Supplemental insurance might be required if the damage extends beyond your coverage limit.

3) How much will insurance pay for roof repair?

Fortunately, there is no cap for the amount of money insurance will pay if your roof is under 20 years old. However, the amount of reimbursement will be affected by your repair estimate and insurance adjuster’s opinion. Make sure your roof inspection includes a detailed list of repair costs to give your insurance an accurate estimate. If your insurance company fails to provide a fair estimate, be sure to ask for a reconsideration before you start repairing your roof.

4) Will my insurance company cover a full replacement?

If your roof is older than 20 years old, your insurance company will likely consider the roof too old to qualify for reimbursement. However, if your roof is within its recommended lifespan and the estimated loss is greater than its value, an insurance company will approve a full roof replacement. Depending on your policy, you might have to pay a deductible before your insurance company will pay the remaining replacement cost.

5) If I don’t have insurance coverage, can I still get my roof repaired?

Of course! The cost will vary depending on the type of roof repair, but our roofing contractors strive to provide high-quality service with competitive pricing. If you’re unable to pay upfront, we provide financing through nationally-accredited, Hearth. Whether you want to finance a portion or the full amount of your project, Hearth offers a variety of payment plans for your convenience.

The Benefit of a Roof Warranty

Unlike many roofing companies, our team is proud to offer a variety of workmanship warranties for the longevity of your roof. All of our roofing contractors are certified with GAF Master Elite Roofing to extend a lifetime warranty that is protected by GAF, the leaders in professional roof quality. If you’ve had your roof replaced by one of our contractors, you can rest knowing that any future damages will be handled efficiently.

Did we neglect to answer your insurance question? Connect with one of our associates to receive assistance with your roof repair.

Filing an Insurance Claim for Houston Roof Damage

Filing an Insurance Claim for Houston Roof Damage

Roof repairs, while necessary to your comfort and your home’s long-term stability, can become expensive fairly quickly. Insurance can certainly help, but are you sure your policy covers everything you’ll need? Sometimes the fine print hides crucial exclusions or stringent rules that make filing a claim difficult.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to cooperate with your insurance provider and get repairs covered during an emergency event. Even if they can’t or won’t cover the entire job, following their preferred procedure will ensure you get a good amount of your money back. Let’s take a look at what to do to begin filing an insurance claim for roof damages.

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Read Your Policy in Detail

Before you actually buy an insurance policy, read it in detail and make sure you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not. But by now, you’ve probably already had this policy for a while and want to take advantage of it. It still pays to read your policy carefully for any conditions or stipulations you may not have known about. For instance, several policies depend on the age of your roof. While some may cover up to 20 years, some policies expire after 10 years. You’re better off just replacing the entire damaged roof in a case like that.

Document Everything

As soon as it’s safe to do so, take a look at your roof’s interior and exterior. Take pictures of any sign of damage, even if it seems minor, for your insurance company to investigate. Label each picture with the date, time, and a brief explanation of what you noticed that concerned you.

Pro Tip: While you can certainly perform a cursory inspection of the damage, your insurance company is likely to take an expert’s opinion more seriously. Have a local roofing contractor inspect the damages and send your provider a detailed report.

Call Your Insurance Agent

Now that you have the relevant information from your policy and the documentation of damages, it’s time to contact your insurance company and begin the claim process. Continue to document any and all information they give you as you work through the problem. Your roofing company should be involved in this process as well to provide their estimate of repair costs and help advocate for you during the claim.

Insurance for Your Woodlands Roof

Don’t wait for your home or roof to suffer storm damage before pursuing quality insurance coverage. Even better, if you already have good insurance, take the time to study your coverage in detail and speak with an agent about any potential concerns. Waiting till an emergency situation to start learning how to file a claim for roof damage is perhaps one of the worst things a homeowner can do.

Join the conversation to learn more about filing a roof claim and protecting your home.