What to Know Before Filing a Roof Damage Claim

As the first line of defense for any home, the roof is often the first thing to be damaged during a weather event or when a tree falls on the home. When any damage occurs, homeowners file a claim with the insurance company seeking monetary reimbursement to either repair the roof or cover a full replacement. Though filing a claim seems straightforward, help from the home insurance lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A. is often needed to receive full reimbursement.

What Roof Damage Looks Like

Roof damage isn’t always as evident as a piece missing or a hole being exposed. More often roof damage is subtle and hard to see unless you’re looking for these common signs of damage.

Water-Stained Ceilings & Walls

When a roof has been damaged, it can’t protect a home’s interior from water. Water stains appear over time on the ceilings and walls, frequently in attics and in rooms directly below the roof. But keep in mind a plumbing leak can also cause these types of water stains.

Curled, Cracked, or Missing Shingles

Shingles begin to curl or crack as they lose granules, the outer protective layer. Sun exposure, high winds, and hail damage are common culprits behind curled and/or cracked shingles in Florida. Curled shingles are more prone to being torn from the roof during storms or on a windy day.

Granules In Gutter Runoff

The asphalt granules covering shingles weaken over time because of exposure to normal weather conditions and even animals. If you’ve noticed granules in the gutter runoff, the shingles are damaged and need to be replaced to protect the home.  

Reasons A Roof Claim Is Denied

The rows of fine print in a home insurance policy outline and detail what’s considered appropriate roof damage and what isn’t. Except there are a lot of exclusions and ambiguous phrases that homeowners think they understand until a roof claim is denied. A home insurance claim attorney in Orlando with the Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A. can review the policy and appeal the denial to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses to repair the roof.

Improper Maintenance

A skilled roof damage attorney has seen this reason for denial many times. Unless the roof has been blatantly neglected, improper maintenance can become subjective to the adjuster’s opinion. Examples of improper maintenance include failing to cut back overhanging tree branches and limbs or not cleaning gutters.

Roof Is Too Old

If your roof has reached its lifespan, usually 20 years or more, many insurance companies will deny a roof damage claim. Check your policy for what the company defines as an acceptable age and how it calculate the age. Although it’s commonplace for homeowners to put new shingles over old for a new roof, many insurance companies won’t cover a roof with more than two layers of roofing material.

Roofing Materials Are Excluded

Green roofing materials may be eco- and budget-friendly, but some insurance companies either have restrictions on coverage or won’t insure a green roof due to the added maintenance cost. Before scheduling repairs or replacement of the roof, review your home insurance policy to make sure the materials that are used will be covered in the event of damage.

Pre-Existing Damage

Homeowners know to take photos after the roof has been damaged but not many have photos of the roof’s condition before the damage. Because many homeowners don’t have before photos, pre-existing damage is periodically used by an insurance company after an adjuster inspects the roof, whether you knew the damage was there or not. An Orlando roofing lawyer with the Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A. will help you dispute these findings with the insurance company.

Roof Damage & Right to Repair

When you file a roof damage claim, the long understood process is that the insurance company reviews the claim, has an adjuster inspect the damage, then offers a settlement amount to make repairs. But many policies include a relatively unknown clause known as the right to repair. If an insurance company accepts the roof damage claim but only through the right to repair clause, contact a property insurance lawyer to review the policy and the insurance company’s offer.

Rather than providing you a settlement offer, the insurance company instead uses those monies to hire contractors of its choice to repair your roof. Many times a homeowner finds out the scope of work performed doesn’t fully repair the damage, uses substandard materials, and/or doesn’t comply with local building codes. The Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A. has helped numerous homeowners challenge their insurance companies and ensure all repairs made are satisfactory and completed within legal boundaries.

Tips For Finding A Roofing Contractor

Once you’ve filed a claim with the insurance company you’ll likely search for a contractor to repair or replace the roof. As home insurance lawyers, the Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A. have two key tips to help you find a reliable and professional roofing contractor.

Watch Out For Contingency Contracts

A contingency contract means if your insurance claim is approved, that contractor will receive the repair or replacement job for the roof. These contracts can be easily hidden as free estimates or free inspection reports requiring your signature. A reputable contractor will never have you sign estimates.  

Ask If They’re Licensed & Insured (And For Proof)

If your roof was damaged during a storm or otherwise be wary of any contractors who approach you. Whether you’re searching or have a list of potential contractors, always ask for a contractor’s references, licenses, and insurance information — and for physical proof. A qualified contractor will gladly share this information when asked.

Roof Damage Claims Attorney in Orlando

Even though roof damage claims are one of the most common types of home insurance claims in Florida, many homeowners still find themselves haggling with their insurance companies. Reasons for denial often vary and you’re still stuck with a roof needing repair. Contact an experienced Orlando roof claim attorney with the Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A. for help appealing a denied roof damage claim. Our attorneys know the insurance company’s angle and build a strong defense to support your claim so you receive monetary reimbursement for damages. Don’t put off repairing your roof any longer; contact our law firm today!