Determining if Roof Repairs Are Covered by Insurance

roof repairs covered insurance

Determining if a certain issue is covered by insurance is a somewhat common theme among homeowners today, and a good example area here is the roof. Whether you’re looking at roof repairs or even a replacement for significant roof damage, you’ll likely be wondering whether insurance (typically homeowners’ insurance) will cover some or all of the costs involved.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re happy to assist with a wide range of residential roofing needs, including everything from repairs and replacements to simple inspections — and we’ve helped many clients deal with insurance companies in the past. A professional roof repair specialist will often play a significant role in this area, helping homeowners “prove” the issues with their roof so that insurance will cover them. Let’s go over everything you need to know here, from some of the factors that will likely determine whether your roof is covered to how you should approach these situations to give yourself the best chance of coverage.

Homeowners’ Insurance and Common Roof Coverage

In many situations, homeowners’ insurance will cover some or all of your roof damage — but only if such damage is part of your coverage. There are several different formats that homeowners’ insurance can take, but a common one is called an “open perils” policy. This means that your insurance covers any type of damage that’s not specifically excluded from your policy.

When it comes to roof damage, these exclusions are typically things like wear and tear, deterioration, or insect infestation. Here are some examples of roof damage causes that are typically, though not always, covered by insurance:

  • Weight-based damage: Whether due to snow, ice, wind, or other weather-related factors, a significant amount of roof damage can be caused by the elements. When these lead to heavy leaks or even the structure of the roof becoming compromised, homeowners’ insurance can often help.
  • Fire: Damage from a fire is another common reason that homeowners’ insurance covers roof repairs and replacements.
  • Hail: Hail can cause significant damage to roofs, often leaving behind dents, cracks, and other visible signs. In many cases, this damage will be covered by homeowners’ insurance.
  • Flooding: If your home is damaged as a result of flooding, your roof may be one of the areas affected. In most cases, this type of damage will be covered by insurance.
  • Natural disasters: Things like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes can all cause damage to roofs. In most cases, this type of damage is covered by insurance. Lightning strikes are also usually covered here.

Now, depending on your specific coverage, the extent of the damage and the deductible you may need to pay, not all of these causes will be covered in full. For example, a policy may have a $1,000 deductible for roof damage. If your roof is damaged in a storm and the repairs cost $10,000, you would only receive $9,000 from the insurance company.

Age of the Roof

The age of your roof is an important factor that will often play a role here. During a home inspection, insurance adjusters make note of roof age and quality — if a roof is over a certain age, it must pass inspection in order for homeowners’ insurance to cover any damage. In many cases, roofs that are older than 10 years will not be covered.

This is because the older a roof gets, the more likely it is to experience problems like leaks and water damage. If your roof is in bad shape, even if the damage is from a covered cause, your insurance company may not pay for the repairs.

Frequency of Issues

Another area that may impact your coverage is the frequency with which certain issues take place. For instance, while hail and windstorm-related damage will usually be covered, those who live in states like Kansas or Oklahoma may have to pay more for this form of coverage — this is because these states are known for having more severe hail and windstorms.

In the same vein, if you’ve filed multiple claims in a short period of time, your insurance company may not be as likely to cover future damage. This is because they may see you as being a high-risk customer.

Damage Types Usually Not Covered

On the flip side, there are a few forms of damage where it’s rare that homeowners; insurance will cover them. These include:

  • Pest or squirrel damage: If your roof is damaged as a result of an infestation by pests or squirrels, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to file a claim.
  • Ice dams: Ice dams are a common problem in the winter, and they can often cause leaks in the roof. However, homeowners’ insurance typically doesn’t cover this type of damage.
  • Cosmetic or aesthetic issues: If your roof is in good shape but you simply don’t like the color or style, these types of damages are usually not covered.
  • General wear-and-tear: Finally, any type of damage that’s due to general wear-and-tear is usually not covered by homeowners’ insurance. This includes things like shingles that are starting to come off or rust on the metal roof.

Role of a Roofing Professional

If you plan to be looking into insurance coverage for any roofing repairs, it’s always a good idea to talk to a roofing professional. They can give you an idea of the condition of your roof and whether or not you’re likely to experience problems in the near future. They can also help you determine whether or not any damage is covered by insurance.

Furthermore, having proof of repairs or other roofing work that’s been done in the past can be helpful when filing a claim. Often, homeowners’ insurance will only cover damage if it’s been deemed necessary by a professional. Having a roofing professional’s stamp of approval may help your case.

For more on insurance coverage for any roofing issues your home is experiencing, or to learn about our roof repair or installation services, speak to the team at The Roof Doctor today.

A Guide to Dealing with Wind Damage Roof Insurance Claims

A Guide to Dealing with Wind Damage Roof Insurance Claims

 

If you live somewhere with inclement weather, you should learn how to handle roof insurance claims in the event of a natural disaster.

Wind storms, hail storms, tornadoes, and thunderstorms can all wreak havoc on your home. Unfortunately, strong gusts of wind can damage your rooftop, resulting in roof leaks and other potentially devastating and costly damage. 

Continue reading to learn more about roof insurance claims as they pertain to roof damage. 

Wind Damage in Utah

Although tornadoes, hail storms, and hurricanes are extremely rare in the Beehive State, it is still susceptible to hurricane-force windstorms. For instance, the 2020 Utah windstorm left approximately 200,000 homes and businesses without power and toppled thousands of trees. Many residents were caught off guard by this natural disaster, but it served as a bitter reminder that property damage can happen to anyone in the blink of an eye. 

Wind Damage Defined

Most people mistakenly associate wind damage with hurricanes and tornadoes; however, any major wind event can cause property damage. Damaging winds, also known as straight-line winds, can exceed 50-60 mph, sometimes exceeding 100 mph. 

What Wind Damage Means for Your Roof

Your home’s roof is one of the areas most vulnerable to this type of destruction. Your roof’s corners and edges are more likely to be impacted by high or strong winds since they are more prone to extreme stress than the center of it. The effect that wind damage can have on your roof depends on the materials used and the power and range of the winds. 

For these reasons and more, it is essential to schedule a professional roof inspection from The Roof Doctor. We have the relevant experience and tools to climb up and check your rooftop for this type of damage in a safe manner. 

Understanding Wind Damage Roof Insurance Claims

Although Utah does see its fair share of inclement weather, wind storms are not a regular occurrence, so you may not know how to deal with wind damage insurance claims. This type of damage may be covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy, but you should examine your policy and see if you are covered for roof damage. One of the best moves you can take if your property is damaged is to document it by taking pictures. Images and videos of the damage, such as toppled chairs and tables, fallen tree branches, and more, will be invaluable when you file a roof damage insurance claim.

The Roof Doctor Can Help

If your home or business’s roof is impacted by wind damage or any other natural disaster, the expert roofers at The Roof Doctor can help with any necessary roof inspections, repairs, or replacement. We serve Salt Lake City, Tooele, Layton, Ogden, Bountiful, Orem, Provo, and neighboring cities in Utah. Please reach out to us today to learn more. 

What Do Insurance Companies Look For When Evaluating Roof Damage?

 

Unless you are a professional insurance adjuster, evaluating roof damage is a job that you should not attempt on your own. 

After hail falls or a major wind or snowstorm strikes, it is likely that your roof will sustain damage, and you will need a repair or replacement. Most homeowners are unaware of what an insurance adjuster looks for when examining a roof, but they also may not understand the adjuster’s role. They must inspect your roof to determine if covered peril damage exists and document the extent of said damage under your policy coverage. 

Keep reading to learn about the five signs of damage that adjusters most commonly look for so that you can better understand the claims process

The Complexities of Evaluating Roof Damage

Damaged Shingles: Many adjusters will check if a shingle’s functionality has been diminished to determine if it falls under covered peril damage. This can be as a result of hail (ruptured matting) or wind (missing or broken shingles). 

Damaged Gutters: If your roof’s damage is due to hail, broken gutters may indicate that the size, frequency, and directionality of the hail affected its functionality. 

Dented Vents: Your metal roof vents, also known as box or turtle vents, may have dents; this can demonstrate the size and frequency of hail for your claim. 

Signs of Leaks: The adjuster might search for signs of leaks, such as curling or buckling shingles, rusted or damaged flashing, peeling exterior paint under roof eaves, and roof rot. They may also take note of leaks on the interior ceiling that will show up as dark spots, which are usually accompanied by peeling interior paint. 

Collateral Damage: They may also examine other items from your home’s exterior, including damage to paint, HVAC units, fences, windows, screens, and personal property. 

The primary goal of a thorough inspection is to document credible signs of property damage so that you can receive the best roof repair estimate from your provider. 

The Roof Doctor Can Help

At The Roof Doctor, not only can our roofing experts repair or replace your roof, but we can also help you with the insurance claims process. Once the adjuster is finished evaluating your roof damage, we can review the Statement of Loss and take note of any items they may have missed. 

We serve the following Utah cities: Salt Lake City, Tooele, Layton, Ogden, Bountiful, Orem, Provo, and everywhere in between! Reach out to us today

Why are Asphalt Roofing Shingles so Popular in Utah?

new roof increases home’s value

 

If you stop to take a look at your neighborhood, you will probably notice that most of the houses have asphalt roofing shingles. 

When you consider that they are one of the most affordable yet durable roofing materials, it comes as no surprise that they are popular among homeowners in the Beehive State.

Continue reading to learn more about why these shingles are so common in Utah below. 

  • Customizable

One of the best parts about asphalt shingles is that you can customize them to match the rest of your home. There is no shortage of customization options because they come in various colors, such as reds, browns, beiges, greens, blues, and every shade in between! 

Want your home to have a more timeless feel? Professional roofers, such as The Roof Doctor, can replicate the look of Victorian architecture or that of a Colonial home. 

Our professional roofers can even layer these shingles with alternating shades to create a multi-dimensional look. 

  • Easy Installation

These shingles are cheaper to install because of their ease of installation. On average, it only takes our team one day to tear off or install an asphalt roof, saving you time and money. 

  • Resistant

A material that does not drain your wallet yet is guaranteed to last decades? It almost sounds too good to be true, but shingles prove their worth when there is inclement weather—which Utah is no stranger to.

In the face of heavy snow, lightning, falling branches, and powerful gusts of wind, this material can stand up to Mother Nature’s elements. 

  • Energy Efficient

As a homeowner, you know how expensive owning a house can be, and one of the only ways to save money is by upgrading it. Switching to asphalt roofing shingles can cut down your monthly electric bills dramatically. They are UV-resistant, meaning they do not absorb the sun’s harsh rays; this will keep your humble abode cool. 

Contact The Roof Doctor

As you can see, asphalt roofing shingles are an ideal choice for homeowners across the Wasatch Front, and they can boost your home’s resale value. The Roof Doctor specializes in installing and repairing asphalt shingles, and we offer a variety of materials, sizes, and designs to suit your home’s needs and style. 

We serve Salt Lake City, Tooele, Ogden, Layton, Orem, Provo, Bountiful, and surrounding Utah cities. Get in touch with us today

3 Tips For Filing A Roof Replacement Insurance Claim

3 Tips For Filing A Roof Replacement Insurance Claim

On top of arranging repair services for your roof, you are also faced with the task of properly filing a roof replacement insurance claim.

Unfortunately, it can be a huge hassle when valuable assets, such as a roof, suddenly need to be replaced. Filing an insurance claim for unexpected storm damage can be intimidating and confusing. You want to get the compensation you deserve in the process, but where do you start?

Here are three tips for filing an insurance claim that should help ease your worries about the process.

1. Document the Damage

After a storm impairs your roof, you should inspect and document the damage as soon as possible. As you inspect your roof, look for missing shingles, signs of water damage, or anything else that seems awry. Document all damages through photographs. It is a great idea to have some pictures of your roof beforehand as well so that the insurance adjuster can plainly see the specific differences between the before and after. 

We recommend taking pictures of your yard and surrounding areas with damage, as this will strengthen your claim. Be sure to take photos of toppled chairs and tables, fallen tree branches, and anything else that captures the magnitude of the storm.  

2. Find a Knowledgeable Roofing Contractor

Even if you do not immediately notice any major problems with your roof, there might be other damages hidden to the untrained eye. At The Roof Doctor, our licensed professional contractors will make sure that nothing is overlooked. We prefer to be on-site when the adjuster arrives so that they are properly reviewing and noting all roof damage. A knowledgeable roofing contractor is a key component in receiving the necessary compensation for your roof repair.

3. Contact Your Insurance Agent

Reach out to your insurance company to begin filing a roof replacement insurance claim. Some insurance companies require you to contact them as soon as the damage happens, so do not delay this step. You will need to find out what types of roof damage your policy covers, as well as the cost they are willing to match. Every policy is a little bit different, and many things can impact your coverage, such as the age of your roof and the depreciated value. For example, if your roof is over a decade old, you may only be able to receive partial compensation. Once you reach out to your insurance company, an adjuster will come to your house to perform an inspection.

Need Roof Repair? Contact the Roof Doctor

If you are planning on filing a roof replacement insurance claim, contact The Roof Doctor to coordinate an inspection with your insurance claims adjuster.

We serve various cities in Utah, including the Salt Lake Valley, Tooele, Layton, Ogden, Bountiful, Orem and Provo. You can trust that our licensed roofing contractors will do high-quality work and get the job done right the first time.

How Do I File An Insurance Claim For A Roofing Repair?

How Do I File An Insurance Claim For A Roofing Repair?

With the recent storms that have hit Utah, wind damage, hail damage, and damage from downed trees or branches may damage your home. Roofing shingles can tear off, flashings damaged, and gutters can be damaged as well. When natural disasters damage your roof, you may wonder what the next steps are to filing an insurance claim. Stay tuned as we provide that information here so that you can begin repairs soon.

 

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wind and Hail Damage?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly 1 in 20 homeowners will file an insurance claim every year with around 1 in 50 that will report specific damage. Most insurance companies cover some wind damage in the form of tornadoes, hailstorms, rain, and lightning. Understanding what your particular policy includes is crucial for knowing what to expect with insurance claims.

 

The Types of Wind and Hail Damage Insurance Covers

Here are the common types of wind and Hail damage insurance covers:

  • Wind damage to roofs
  • Windows, shutters, and window screens
  • Fences including hail damage to vinyl fences
  • Aluminum or Vinyl Siding 

It’s best to review your home insurance policy to see just what is covered and talk with your agent for more information.

 

Submitting a Wind Damage or Hail Damage Insurance Claim

Before contacting your insurance, inspect for any damage, but carefully. Don’t go up on your roof since it could be unstable. Get binoculars if needed and check for any damage. If you have damage, this is a good time to call a professional roofer to mitigate any damages while you wait for the insurance process to take place. Many insurance policies require some type of repair to mitigate any further damages to the inside of the home.  Here is the process of submitting a storm damage insurance claim for your property.

 

  1. First, ensure the area is safe. If the damage to the roof is causing water to flood into your home, get to safety. If windows are broken, ensure no one can be hurt around them.
  2. Document the damage with photos and videos and note when the damage occurred, the time    and date. 
  3. Write down the description of the damage and make any temporary repairs that will make your home still liveable.
  4. Secure valuable personal property by storing it with friends or family if possible. If not, rent a storage unit until the damage is repaired.
  5. Contact a professional roofer to evaluate the storm damage and make any temporary repairs that are required to keep your home watertight.
  6. Contact your homeowner’s insurance and begin the insurance claims process. Your insurance company will send out an adjuster to check out the damage and appraise it, meaning how costly it is. They will then approve payment for a roof repair or replacement. 

 

Got Wind or Hail Damage? Call The Roof Doctor

If you’re looking for a roofing repair company that serves most of Utah, including the Salt Lake Valley, Tooele, Layton, Ogden, Brigham City, and Bountiful, contact The Roof Doctor. You can trust our licensed roofing contractors that ensure high quality and a job done right the first time. Contact us for a free estimate today.