Navigating the financial aspects of a roof replacement can be complex, particularly when it comes to understanding insurance deductibles after a major storm or other damages! The average deductible amount for a roof replacement project can vary widely, influenced by factors such as your specific homeowner’s insurance policy, the type of roofing materials used, and the geographical location of the property.
In this short blog post, we’ll go over some information regarding the typical claims process for homeowners in Maryland seeking help with their roof replacement. Contact us today for more information!
What Kind of Roof Damage Does Insurance Cover?
When your home has suffered damage due to a major storm, it can be extremely stress-inducing! Fortunately, your homeowner’s insurance should have you and your family covered against sudden damage to your home’s exterior. With roofing damage, home insurance protects property owners against problems caused by extreme weather events like hailstorms, straight-line winds, and flying debris. Homeowners insurance policies may not necessarily cover other types of damage, like wear-and-tear, flaws at the manufacturing or installation level, or damage caused by the owners.
Note: Check Your Specific Plan and Coverage
Insurance plans can stipulate different things when it comes to roof damage that’s covered, so it’s important to check your policy to determine what is and isn’t included in your plan. Additionally, it can be helpful to determine how you will be covered – your policy may stipulate that you get paid for the value of the repair and you then are responsible for conducting the repairs yourself, or it may state that your insurance company will find a company to complete the repairs and contact them directly.
Hailstorms
Hailstorms are a frequent cause of damage on homes, causing shingles to chip, crack, and fall off, breaking tiles, and denting metal roofs. Most homeowner’s insurance plans cover this type of damage.
Damage from High Winds
Storms can cause extremely high winds that can damage your roofing in a major way – sending debris flying into your roof or ripping off shingles, flashing, and other roofing elements. However, winds can cause less disruptive damage to your roofing, too, including lifting and bending shingles in a way that makes them less effective. Your insurance might also cover this type of damage too, since it’s a majorly detrimental event that is out of your control!
Debris Falling on Your Roof from Trees, etc.
Additionally, debris falling onto your roof can cause big bouts of damage, even breaking holes in your roof that go into your home’s interior! Homeowner’s insurance policies tend to cover this type of damage to the home as well.
Steps to Make an Insurance Claim for Your Roof
While RoofPRO cannot help you conduct your claims process for a new roof, we can assist by documenting damages and providing free estimates for the repairs or replacement. Here are a few common steps that homeowners need to take in order to file an insurance claim for their roofing systems.
Review Your Insurance Policy
First, it’s important to review your insurance policy. Be sure to assess what your insurance will cover and what it won’t cover before starting the process of making a claim – you may waste your own time by seeking coverage for things that are beyond the scope of your plan! For instance, some insurance plans will not cover roofing damage that is deemed purely cosmetic, like dents in a metal roof from hail. It may not even be worth it to file a claim, depending on the cost of your deductible.
Assess and Document the Damage
Next, try to determine the extent of the damage by doing your own inspection or by calling in a professional. Take plenty of photos and videos of any damage you believe may have been caused by a storm – the more documentation the better! You may also consider taking detailed notes about how, why, and when the damage appeared in your roof. All of this will become important once you file the claim, and it may help you to get your money’s worth from your policy!
Act Quickly to Maximize Your Claim
While the process may seem overwhelming to initiate, it’s better to start filing a claim sooner rather than later! Claims can take a while to process, and the further away from the date that the damage occurred, the less clear your memory of how it all happened will be.
Have a Professional Inspect Your Roof
When you’re dealing with a potentially expensive claim, always opt to get an inspection from a roofing professional who can determine exactly how much damage has been caused. This is especially helpful if you have filed an initial claim that was rejected, or if you think the insurance adjuster has offered an inaccurate estimate of the damage. Professionals can even determine things about the damage that are not apparent to the layman, including the amount that a particular type of damage has reduced your roof’s lifespan.
Get a Replacement Estimate from a Trusted Roofing Contractor
Since minor damage can shortened the roof’s lifespan on your home, insurance policies will usually cover the cost of a repair, and they may even cover the full replacement cost. Getting a reliable replacement estimate from a roofing contractor you trust can help you while you seek reimbursement.
FAQs About Roof Repair or Replacement with Insurance
Our team gets a lot of inquiries about home insurance claims when it comes to roofing damage in Maryland. Here are a couple of commonly asked questions that our team receives. Don’t hesitate to reach out to RoofPRO today with any additional concerns!
What is the Average Deductible for Roof Replacements?
Roof replacement deductibles typically cost between 1%-5% of your home’s insured value. Say, for instance, your home is insured at $100,000, the deductible might cost between $1,000-$5,000. However, all of this depends on your unique policy. Some insurance plans have higher deductible costs than others. These deductible costs are important to keep in mind before you file your claim. For more minor damage, some homeowners may opt to simply pay out-of-pocket for a replacement, as the deductible may cost more than the value of the replacement or reimbursement your policy would have to offer!
Does Insurance Cover Normal Wear and Tear?
No, most insurance policies do not cover wear and tear. It is expected that your roof will not last forever, even if well-maintained, and insurance companies do not put themselves on the hook for ensuring that older roofs get replaced just because they’ve come to the end of their lifespan. It’s the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain their roof as best as they can and get a replacement when the time comes. Homeowner’s insurance is designed to protect homeowners from sudden loss, not to protect them from needing replacements.
RoofPRO is a Top-Rated Contractor for Marylanders
Maryland home and business owners consistently choose RoofPRO for our expertise in roof replacements, repairs, and maintenance! Our skilled team, equipped with the latest tools and techniques, ensures that each roofing project meets the highest standards, catering to the specific needs and challenges of the region.
At RoofPRO, we pride ourselves on transparency, customer service, and meticulous attention to detail, making us a go-to choice for those seeking a dependable roofing partner in Maryland! Reach out to us today!
Trusted Solutions for Residential or Commercial Roofs
Looking for help with your roof, whether it’s on a home or a commercial building? RoofPRO is here to serve people across the state of Maryland and provide help for all their roofing needs. We offer repairs, replacements, inspections, and much more; check out our full suite of services here.
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Are you looking to start a new roofing project? Contact us today for a free roof inspection and estimate!
