How to Claim a Roof Repair on Your Homeowners Insurance

Unfortunately, roof damage happens. If you own your home for long enough, you’re all but guaranteed to experience some kind of issue with your roof sooner or later, whether it’s a minor leak after heavy rains or a serious catastrophe, like a tree falling on it in a windstorm. Regardless of the cause of your roofing issue, it’s vital that you understand how to handle a roof repair insurance claim as a homeowner, ensuring you can get your vital roof repairs covered when you need them. Keep reading for Bumble Roofing’s step-by-step guide to handling the roof insurance process with confidence.

Step 1: Know What Your Policy Covers

The first thing about how to claim roof damage on insurance is to understand when insurance covers roof repairs — ideally, before there’s an issue with your roof. Your homeowners’ insurance roof coverage can vary depending on your location and the plan you chose, but most plans cover roof damage caused by extreme weather or other specific causes. If your roof was damaged by high winds, hailstorms, tornadoes, snowstorms, or a falling tree limb, your insurance will most likely cover the cost of roof repairs.

There are two kinds of policies, which will determine your options when it comes to getting an insurance payout for roof repairs:

Actual Cash Value (ACV) Policies

An actual cash value policy means that the insurance company provides a payout based on the depreciated value of your roof at the time that you file the claim. In other words, it will never cover the full value of a new roof, as it considers the depreciation of the roof’s value based on its age. While the amount can still be substantial, you’ll still need to pay out of pocket if you need roof replacement.

Replacement Cost Value (RCV) Policies

A replacement cost value policy covers the full amount (or the vast majority) of a full replacement of your current roof, assuming you choose the same roof that you had before. When you file a claim on an RCV policy, you’ll receive one check for the actual cost value, with your insurer holding back the recoverable depreciation amount. 

After the roof replacement is complete, you’ll need to provide proof that the work was done according to the claim (i.e., you only replaced the roof with a new version of the old one, without any upgrades or add-ons). The insurer will then provide a second check that covers the remainder of your costs.

Step 2: Document the Damage ASAP

Once you’ve noticed damage to your roof, time is of the essence to thoroughly document it in order to file a roof insurance claim. Unless you have plenty of experience working on roofs, we suggest you leave the ladder in the garage and instead walk around the exterior of the home, taking photos and videos of any damage you can see. 

Compile as much roof damage documentation as you can, keeping an eye out for: 

• Missing, broken, or creased shingles
• Signs of damage to the roof’s underlying structure
• Signs of collateral hail damage, such as dented downspouts, strikes to your home’s doors and siding, and holes in window screens
• Signs of roof water leaks from inside the home

Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company

Once you’ve gathered evidence of roof damage, it’s time to get in touch with your insurer and forward your documentation. Depending on your situation, they may provide an insurance adjuster roof inspection or ask that you hire your own roofer to perform an inspection.

Step 4: Schedule an Inspection with a Roofing Pro

The next step to get emergency roof repairs through insurance is to schedule a complete roofing inspection with a professional. This expert will get up on the roof to take a closer look at and determine the full extent of the damage. 

The inspection focuses on damage that likely resulted from the event and not long-term wear. These relevant damaged areas are marked with chalk, and granule loss, damaged or missing shingles, and any other problems are noted. This, combined with the photos they take, will form the basis of your homeowners’ insurance roofing claim and will determine the coverage amount of your roofing insurance estimate. 

Step 5: Work with the Adjuster (and Avoid Common Pitfalls)

As we mentioned, you’ll need to have your roof inspected by a roofer and the insurance adjuster. Since adjusters aren’t professional roofers, we recommend having your contractor come at the same time as the adjuster. A common roof insurance mistake is having these appointments on separate days, which can lead to discrepancies in damage reports and ultimately affect your storm damage roof repair claim.

Step 6: Get the Work Done Right

Once you’ve had your claim approved, all that’s left is to find a qualified roofing company to perform the repairs you need. You’ll need to pay your deductible and then hire a roofing contractor you trust to handle the job. Look for companies that offer comprehensive roofing services, transparent pricing, and a commitment to un-bee-lievable quality to ensure a long-term solution!

This part of the process can vary slightly depending on whether you have an actual cash value ACV policy or a replacement cost value RCV policy. With an ACV policy, you’ll pay your deductible, sign the estimate, and put the amount you receive toward the new roof. For an RCV policy, your roofing contractor will receive the recoverable depreciation check after work is complete and your insurer has reviewed the project to ensure the work was done properly.

Not an Emergency? Get a Free Inspection Anyway

Even if you’re not dealing with a sudden roofing emergency, there’s never a bad time to get a roof inspection. The masterful roofing team at Bumble Roofing is here to help you get peace of mind about your roof, catching and repairing minor issues before they become serious problems, and only leaving once you’re happy and satisfied with our work. Ready to get started? Make a quote inquiry with the Bumble team and schedule your free roof inspection today!