What do I do if an insurance adjuster denies a roof claim? If you have a roof damage claim that your insurance company denied, don’t despair. You have options. The first step is to review your insurance policy to see your roof damage coverage. Most policies cover wind and hail damage, not wear and tear. If your policy does not cover the type of damage you have, you may be out of luck. However, if your policy does cover the damage, you need to take some action.
What Do I Do If An Insurance Adjuster Denies Roof Claim?
Appeals process
If an insurance adjuster denies your claim for roof damage, there are several options to appeal the denial. The first step is to request a re-inspection of the damage. This process can help uncover damage that may have been missed in the original assessment. It’s also a good idea to hire a reputable roof contractor to assess the damage to your roof.
You can appeal the decision of an insurance adjuster by collecting evidence of the damage to your property and presenting it to the insurance company. If you can prove the damage is due to a faulty roof, the insurance company may send another adjuster to investigate the claim. Often, an insurance company will also send a public adjuster or a roofing contractor to your home to review the situation. Suppose you feel that the first adjuster’s decision was unfair. In that case, you can also seek the assistance of a roofing contractor or a public adjuster to obtain additional evidence of the damage. You can also take your appeal further by hiring an attorney or filing a complaint with a state agency.
You can file an appeal if you receive a denial letter from an insurance adjuster. Appeal processes take time, so it’s worth asking how long it takes before a decision is reached. You can also follow up with the insurer, asking them when they expect to hear your appeal.
While some roof insurance claims are approved, others are denied entirely. When this happens, it can be frustrating for homeowners trying to get back on their feet after a severe storm. Insurance adjusters sometimes deny a claim based on “pre-existing damage” or “wear and tear.” The policy aims to cover sudden events like tornadoes or significant wind events, such as a hurricane. Even if the insurance company does its best to maintain quality control, a defective product can make it to the market.
Hidden roof components
If an insurance adjuster denies your roof claim, you may have hidden roof components they can’t see. These components can make the difference between getting the total amount of your claim or being turned down completely. You can follow some tips to help ensure your claim gets approved.
Exclusions in your policy
When an insurance adjuster denies your claim for roof damage, it’s best to check the exclusions in your policy. Some insurance policies exclude roof claims because they involve materials that are difficult to replace, such as slate or cedar shakes. Your policy may also exclude damage caused by second-layer shingles. To avoid getting a bad insurance deal, read your policy carefully and understand all the details.
Some insurance policies do not cover damage caused by wildfires or earthquakes. You may also have an exclusion for damage that occurs over time, such as normal wear and tear. For example, if your roof is over 20 years old, your insurance adjuster may point out that it’s not covered for storm damage. If the insurance adjuster cites exclusions in your insurance policy for denying a roof damage claim, call your insurance agent to discuss your options.
Another way to avoid a denial for roof damage is to check your policy for any pre-existing damage. Some insurance policies exclude coverage for pre-existing damage, which means your insurer will only pay for it if you can show them the problem.
Another reason for denying a roof damage claim is an insurance company’s policy excludes falling objects and earthquakes. These policies are designed to cover specifically named perils, so the adjuster does not want to pay the total cost to replace a roof. Moreover, many old roofs do not receive the proper maintenance, so they leak. The insurance company will not cover the roof’s repair cost when this happens.
If you’re denied an insurance claim you believe to be rightful, the best course of action would be to seek legal counsel. You can negotiate with the insurance company first. If you feel that their decision is unfair or unjust, your next step is filing a court claim.
Intentional damage
Insurance companies would not pay for damages incurred to your home if you could not prevent them. For instance, you may have installed your shingles or put up Christmas lights. But, if you were not careful, you might have put your foot through the roof. Another common reason for a denied claim is that you must properly communicate with your roofing company.
While you may not be able to prove that you intentionally damaged your roof, you can show the adjuster that you did so and that the damage was intentional. For instance, you may have caused the problem by ripping or creasing your shingle mat. In either case, you should keep your receipts handy and be prepared to explain the damage to the adjuster.
If the insurance company denies your claim, you can appeal the decision. Typically, the first step in the appeals process is requesting a re-inspection of the damages to your roof. This way, you might discover damage the adjuster missed during the original assessment. It would be best to have a licensed roof contractor assess the damage to your roof.
In addition to taking pictures of the damage to your roof, you should file a police report. The insurance company will want to see the damage to make the decision. If you have insurance, taking pictures of the damage before making temporary repairs would be wise. You should also contact your insurance company as soon as possible. They will want to know about the damage, the cause of it, and how long you have to file a claim.
Roofing contractor meeting with the adjuster
If you have received a denial letter from your insurance adjuster, the best thing you can do is to meet with the adjuster in person and present your case. You should be able to show him the evidence of damage on the roof and explain to the adjuster why the claim should be approved. If the adjuster still denies your claim, you can seek a second opinion from a structural engineer. A structural engineer is an excellent source of proof that your roof is faulty and can help support your claim. However, it would be best to consider this option as a last resort and only in extreme cases.
Once the insurance adjuster inspects your roof, your roofing contractor should attend the meeting. The adjuster’s job is to approve or deny your roof claim, depending on the damage found and the insurance policy. Even if your insurance company initially denies your claim, the contractor should be present when the adjuster meets with you.
Your contractor will be able to provide the adjuster with evidence of the damages and the photos you took. You must present this evidence to the adjuster and ensure all the details are there. Regardless of whether the adjuster denies your claim, there is a good chance he will approve the roof claim based on your evidence.
The first step in this process is to prepare for the meeting. The insurance adjuster may come out as a team. So, you will need to prepare to explain what the damage is to be successful. It’s important to understand that the insurance adjuster’s job is not to judge your character. Don’t try to punish the adjuster. Always make sure the adjuster has enough evidence to support the claim.
