Was your roof damage claim denied due to “wear and tear?” This is one of the most common reasons that insurers use to deny claims. Normal wear and tear happens as your roof ages and is almost always excluded by the terms of your insurance policy.
That doesn't imply that you should disregard the rejection of your claim and continue with your life. Because their adjuster might have overlooked the evidence that implicates a covered peril in the damage, the insurance company's conclusion is uninformed.
So what happens next? Our public loss adjusters explain…
Why Was My Roof Claim Denied?
We are no strangers to the strong winds and rain that come with heavy rainstorms and hurricanes here in Florida. These kinds of storms can damage your roof in many ways including causing leaks, damaging or tearing shingles, and even gutter problems.
While most homeowners expect that their homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the damage, far too often Florida homeowners are disappointed to find that their roof damage claims have been denied.
Your Roof is Too Old
Generally, a roof is considered “too old” if it is 20 years or older as this is the common lifespan of shingle roofing materials.
The unfortunate truth is that an insurance company does not want to pay full price to replace a roof that is likely near the end of its depreciable life expectancy regardless of if it sustained damage in a storm.
Why “Wear and Tear” Results in Denial
Say, for example, your home’s roof is 15 years old, but you’ve never had repairs or work done on it. The roof has deteriorated and starts to leak. Because the damage is the result of your failure to properly maintain the roof, your claim will likely be denied because of a ‘wear and tear’ issue.
Further, your insurance company may also refuse to cover roof damage if you attempt to make a minor roof repair on your own, as you could end up making the issue worse from their perspective. Some roofing materials like shingles are delicate and may break or fall off when walked on, or you may try to nail a shingle back in only to cause a leak on the interior of your property.
Since you exacerbated the damage instead of calling a certified roofing professional, you will be responsible to pay for the repairs or replacement.
Field Adjuster Visit
Your insurance company will send a field loss adjuster to your home to determine the extent and cause of roof damage while they are processing your claim. Unfortunately, they often do a superficial job in inspecting your roof rather than taking the time to inspect the integrity of your tiles or shingles. This means that the insurance adjuster only looks at your roof for obvious damages rather than looking further such as damage to the roof’s underlayment, which is a water barrier under your shingles or tile that stops water from leaking into your home.
A visual inspection will only reveal so much, and won’t reveal the damage that occurs when high-speed winds tear at the screws that hold your shingles or tiles together, ripping holes into the underlayment.
If your insurance carrier has denied your roof damage claim, we can help. Call Liberty Insurance Adjusters at 813-922-5129 to speak with a public adjuster who will help you get the settlement that you deserve!
Disputing a Roof Damage Claim Denial
If your roof damage claim was denied by your homeowner’s insurance company and you don’t agree with their decision, you can file an appeal. The first step is to request a re-inspection of the damages since it is possible that damage may have been overlooked the first time. Ensure that you have a reputable roof contractor there to assess the damage along with the adjuster.
Also, when you submit your appeal to your insurance company, ask for a resolution date. The appeals process often gets drawn out, and the damage to your roof could lead to additional property damage if you do not get it repaired quickly. If the resolution date passes and you have yet to hear from your insurance company, follow up with them. Keep in mind should they be unresponsive or if your appeal is denied, you can file a complaint with the Florida Financial Department’s Division of Consumer Services, or even turn to litigation.
Liberty Adjusters is with you every step of the way during the claims and appeal process and will act as a third-party resource to fight your insurance company should you need more aggressive action to obtain a fair settlement.
Appeal Your Roof Damage Claim with Liberty Adjusters
If your roof damage claim has been denied, you can always lean on us. While reopening a denied claim can be tedious and may not always result in an approved claim, in the end, our public adjusters at Liberty Insurance Adjusters will work with your insurance company to ensure that you receive a fair appeal.
Whether you just received a denial for roof damage or one that’s within the past five years, call 813-922-5129 or submit your claim online. We will never stop working to help you get the fairest settlement for your damages. Lean on us to get justice for your denied roof damage claim!