Annapolis Roof Insurance Claims

Ultimately, the answer to this question will depend on your specific insurance policy. In most cases, insurance will cover a roof replacement or roof repair if the damage happened as the result of an unexpected event, such as a storm, a fallen tree, a fire, etc. If the damage occurred because of lack of maintenance or normal wear and tear, then it’s likely not going to be covered.

Whether or not your insurance company opts for a full roof replacement or a simple repair will also depend on the specifics of your roof. If the damages are more minor and localized, a simple repair might do the trick. But more often than not, since it secures the long-term health of your home, they will push for a full repair.

If you have a leaky roof, you may be able to get insurance coverage, but usually only if the leak was caused by damage from an unpredictable event. If your roof is 40 years old and has just started leaking, this usually qualifies as normal wear and tear and likely won’t be covered.

There is no way to answer this question without inspecting your roof and also looking at your policy. However, there are a few things you can look at to help you know what to expect.

The first is your deductible. No matter how much you get from your claim, you always have to cover your deductible. If you don’t remember what this is, take a look at your policy.

Another thing to consider is whether or not your homeowners insurance policy provides Replacement Cash Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV). With RCV policies, insurance will provide you with funds to cover the cost of replacing your roof at the time the damage occurred. However, if your policy is ACV, then you will only get what your roof is worth at the time of damage.

This means you will have to pay out of pocket the amount your roof has depreciated over time. In other words, you will get considerably less for older roofs.

How much you get also depends on the cost of the project, which is why it’s important to work with a reputable roofing contractor. If they try to overcharge you, your insurance company might not cover everything.

If you’ve ever dealt with insurance companies before, you know that things tend to move slowly. The same applies for roof claims. Expect it to take several weeks to several months for your claim to be approved, though the exact time will depend on which company you use. Larger companies tend to take longer. Your claim may also be delayed if many homes in your area were affected.

Ultimately, this is up to you. Filing a claim will likely cause your premiums to go up. If you’ve never filed a claim before, the increase might not be too much. It’s difficult to know exactly how much it will go up before you file.

Another thing to consider is your deductible. This you have to pay no matter what. So, if the cost of repairs isn’t much more than what you would have to pay anyway, then it might not be worth it.

Lastly, the scope of the project also matters. If your entire roof needs to be replaced and you’re not financially prepared to do this, then you may have no other choice. But if the needed repairs are smaller and less significant, it may be prudent to file a roof claim.