INSURANCE CLAIMS

ATLANTA METRO ROOFING ASSISTS HOMEOWNERS IF THEY ARE USING THEIR INSURANCE DUE TO A STORM TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET A ROOF.

We are upfront and know what each insurance company is looking for as far as damage on the roof. This is extremely important for a homeowner to make the right decision on whether or not to call in a claim. Unfortunately, a lot of people in the roofing industry are too quick to tell you to call in a claim just on a hope and a prayer you will get it approved. The insurance adjusters really want to know that the roof was inspected by a professional company. It also adds credibility to the homeowner to select a company upfront to aid with the claim process and install a quality roof which includes the proper warranty.

Short story – we had a gentleman call and tell us that his insurance company was forcing him to get a new roof or they were going to drop him. This all transpired because a roofer knocked his door and told him he had a defective shingle and he could get him new roof. The truth is he did have a defective shingle but about three major insurance companies will never approve that shingle because it is defective. They will accuse the manufacturer even if you truly had hail or wind damage. This was a $21,000 roof – not chump change. Because the homeowner believed what the roofer said he alerted the insurance company to the fact that he had defective shingles so they made him buy his own roof. The truth of the matter was that roof probably would have been good before it started leaking for another five years.

Make sure you are informed before you just call in a claim. If that gentleman had called us first he never would have called in a claim because we would have told him his insurance company was one of the three that will not approve these shingles for replacement.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?

The older your roof gets, the less likely you are to receive full coverage if it is damaged. Most roofs are expected to last about twenty years, unless they are made of specific durable materials. Insurance does not cover general wear and tear, and it can be difficult to obtain coverage for an older roof even in the event of a sudden accident or act of nature. This can create problems when trying to file a claim: if a storm has come through, for example, and knocked some shingles off your roof or caused a leak in your home, your insurance company might classify these damages as cosmetic or general deterioration and refuse to pay.

Take steps to prevent damage to your roof by making sure your gutters are clean, your yard is free of dangerous trees or debris, and regularly checking your roof for signs of damage. Hiring a licensed roofing contractor for periodic inspections can extend the life of your roof and confirm its condition in the event you need to file a claim.