10 Tips Before You File A Claim

Should I file a claim with insurance for a new roof?

Here’s the problem: Roofers all want you to file a claim.  Insurance agents do not want you to file a claim.  You’re trying to make the best decision for your family without biased opinions from roofers or from your agent.

I’ve been both a licensed insurance producer and a licensed roofer so let me offer some advice.

Here is a list of 10 important considerations before you file a claim so you can decide for yourself if you want to file a claim.  Some of these are tips that roofers and insurance agents do not want you to know but are important to know before you file:

1. Will filing a claim raise my insurance rate? This is a common myth that insurance providers cherish.  Providers cannot legally raise your monthly premium unless they do for every home within your zip code.  Your rate will not go up.  It’s a devious insurance loophole, but the one exception to this is when providers have a claim free discount, or a no-claim discount applied to your premium.  Look specifically for this discount or ask your agent if you have a no-claim discount.  If you do, take note of how much you are saving per month and how much your premium would increase when you file.
2. Do not get 3 quotes if your provider asks you to. It’s normal in our American culture to get 3 quotes or even more on big projects.  Your insurance provider will likely ask you to get 3 quotes on your claim once it is approved.  It’s a trick.  They are searching for a lesser amount to satisfy you and to payout to you.  Read the full story here: https://uaroof.com/insurance-claim-secrets-dont-get-3-estimates-heres-why/ You want a high-quality roof.  Not the cheapest roof.
3. Filing a claim can follow you around for 5-7 years. If you are about to move or start a new policy on a new property, know that a denied insurance claim could be on your record even if your new policy is with a new provider.  Denied claims make it more expensive and difficult to start new policies for up to 7 years.  So if you think you are on the fence whether your roof has weather damage or not,it’s likely in your best interest to hold off until the next big storm.  The best course of action is to keep the same policy over time and use the policy when you need to.  Accepted claims do not raise rates or count against you, but denied claims do.
4. Insurance providers are designed to receive claims although providers would like to encourage you not to file claims. You shouldn’t feel bad for using your policy for its purpose.  You’ve been paying into your policy for years.  Use it.
5. Roof damage can be very subjective. I wish I could tell you that it will always be approved if we recommend filing a claim, but that’s just not always true.  A roofer that guarantees approval is an immediate red flag.  It can depend on which adjuster gets assigned to your adjustment and what side of the bed they woke up on or if they had a fight with their spouse that morning, etc. That’s why tip number 7 is important.
6. Providers don’t want me to say this out loud because there could be legal ramifications if they admitted it were true. I’m telling you that we see this every day: The longer you’ve had your homeowner policy, the more likely your provider will pay for your roof to be replaced.  If you just started your policy last month, forget about it unless your property is absolutely burning to the ground.  Your claim will likely have a payout equal to your deductible or less.  Had your policy for 20 years?  Your claim will almost definitely be accepted if you have a good contractor working with you.  Nothing makes insurance adjusters shake in their boots like an unhappy 20-year customer.
7. Do I have options if my claim is denied? Yes, by law you have a several rights.  Option C is the best option here but not always possible.
   1. Firstly, you have the right to have a second adjuster look at your roof damage. Just ask for a second opinion.   Your provider is required to send a different adjuster.  This is the simplest option.
   2. Secondly, (I don’t recommend this) you can file an appeal with an attorney and follow legal proceedings if you 100% feel that is the best option for you.
   3. Thirdly, you can demand appraisal from the provider which sometimes is required for them to act in good faith. This process puts our in-house licensed adjuster’s estimate up against the provider’s estimate. If an agreement can’t be made between parties, an umpire is elected to find the middle ground. We’ll help walk you through this process.
8. When you call the claim hotline or file your claim online, they will ask you for a few important things you want to have readily available. Getting any of this wrong gives your provider an opportunity to deny your claim:
   1. Your policy number
   2. Type of claim you want to file
   3. Date of loss (Your provider may provide you with a recommended date to help. If they offer you a date, they are trying to help you.  Use their date.)
9. Remember that you are the paying customer and that they work for you. They do not work for your contractor.  We work hard to build good relationships with providers and adjusters but sometimes they just don’t care what your contractor has to say.  They will always care more about what an unhappy policyholder has to say more than an unhappy contractor.
10. Most importantly, know that Up Armor Roofing is here to help you with this entire claim process. You don’t have to remember all these tips and tricks or go it alone.  It’s our job to help you when you need the help.  We’ll provide you with the step-by-step claim info specific to your property and your provider to get the claim filed correctly.  Reach out to our team and we’ll be glad to help.  Reach us at:

Facebook.com/veteranroofs

HTTPS://UAROOF.COM/

Call or text Lucas Heffner at 918-991-9295 lucas.heffner@uaroof.com Owner & Field Manager if you have anymore questions or would like to talk through any of the process.

We look forward to meeting you and your family!