Should I file a claim with my 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 house without biased opinions from roofers or from your insurance 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. These are tips that roofers and insurance agents both do not want you to know:
- 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 apply a claim free discount or a no-claim discount 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.
- Do not get 3 quotes. It’s normal in our American culture to get 3 quotes or even more on big projects. If your insurance provider asks you to get 3 estimates or 3 quotes after approval, it’s a trick. They are searching for a lesser amount to payout to you. Read the full story here: https://uaroof.com/insurance-claim-secrets-dont-get-3-estimates-heres-why/
- 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. 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 in any way.
- Insurance providers are designed to receive claims. You shouldn’t feel bad for using your policy for its purpose. You’ve been paying into your policy for years. Use it.
- Roof claims 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 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.
- 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 be denied. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Thirdly, you can get a public adjuster involved. Public adjusters work for a 10% commission. Many of them will only work on bigger projects though. The advantage of a public adjuster is that your interests (getting insurance to pay) are aligned with the adjuster and you no longer must worry if you are getting hung out to dry by the provider or not. Your public adjuster will want to be involved before you ask your provider for a second opinion.
- 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:
- Your policy number
- Type of claim you want to file
- 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.)
- 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.
- 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
Call our office at 918-994-6684
Call or text our General Manager, David Tinney at 918-791-1001, david.tinney@uaroof.com
Call or text our owner and field manager, Lucas Heffner at 918-991-9295 lucas.heffner@uaroof.com
We look forward to meeting you and your family!