Think your roof has damage after recent storms hit our area of Brentwood, TN? Do you know what to expect when filing a claim for roof damage?
The insurance process can be confusing if you’ve never been through it before, especially if you don’t have a trusted Brentwood roofing company guiding you. Unfortunately, bad roofers are counting on this confusion to take advantage of homeowners.
However, you can avoid any confusion or scams by simply having the information every homeowner needs to know before starting the claim process. That’s exactly what you’ll learn here.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped and guided homeowners in Brentwood, TN, through the insurance claim process. Whether you're a customer or not, the last thing I want is for you to get taken advantage of by the industry.
Here, you’ll learn the following 7 things you need to know before filing a roof damage claim in Brentwood, TN:
- Be on the lookout for out-of-state roofing companies
- You have one year to file a claim
- The type of insurance policy determines the payout
- Most insurance estimates have to be supplemented
- You must pay your deductible if your claim is approved
- Only the insurance adjuster can approve your claim
- Hire a local Brentwood roofing company with insurance claim experience
1. Be on the lookout for out-of-state roofing companies
After a damaging storm comes into the Middle Tennessee area, it’s guaranteed door knockers will be out canvassing. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you need to be wary of storm-chasing companies from out of state.
While they aren’t all bad, most undercut local companies by offering prices that are way too good to be true. Unfortunately, there’s a good chance they won’t adhere to local codes and most likely won’t properly install your roof.
After they're done, they’ll take the money while leaving shoddy work, low-quality materials, and plenty of headaches behind before moving on to the next storm-hit area. So, it’s crucial to make sure any company who knocks on your door is local to Brentwood, TN, before even considering them.
2. You have one year to file a claim
As I just said, you can count on door knockers in Brentwood neighborhoods after a storm. If you do get a knock on your door, it’s important not to panic.
Most insurance policies allow up to 1 year after the storm to file a claim, while some rarely even allow up to 2 years. Even if you have missing shingles, you can get the area tarped or dried in to avoid leaks while going through the claim process.
So, you have time to research and find a local Brentwood roofing company to guide you through the process. But you shouldn’t wait too long to start the process, especially with how long it can take.
3. The type of insurance policy determines the payout
One of the first things you need to do before filing a claim is to check if you have Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV) coverage. The policy you have determines your payout from the insurance company to put towards a new roof.
An Actual Cash Value policy only provides the depreciated value of your roof. This policy only provides a single payout for your roof's current value at the time of the claim to put towards a roof replacement.
On the other hand, a Replacement Cost Value policy means your entire roof will be replaced with a brand new version of itself. Just know that getting a new quality roof system fully paid for is rare without putting in some work (more on this next), but an RCV payout should cover a large portion of the cost.
4. Most insurance estimates have to be supplemented
Once a claim is approved on an RCV policy, the insurance company sets the initial price on your estimate. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly rare that a reputable roofer can provide a quality roof with the first estimate.
This is simply because certain line items a roofer needs to give you a quality roof, adhere to local codes, and make the profit needed to keep their doors open. That’s why most insurance claims must be supplemented to get as much covered as possible.
A reputable roofing contractor will help you do this, but every company does it differently. I provide a line item checklist so homeowners can go through a claim, add what’s missing, and send it back to their insurance company for approval.
Insurance companies usually provide some pushback, especially around things like overhead. But if you have an RCV policy, supplementing your claim can get most or even the full amount covered.
5. You must pay your deductible if your claim is approved
Once your insurance claim is approved, you must pay your deductible. Some roofing companies offer to pay deductibles, but this is illegal and one of the most common insurance scams in the roofing industry.
The worst part is that some homeowners jump at the opportunity when they hear a roofing company will take care of their deductible, especially when it’s on the higher end. I promise you don't want to work with a roofer who is willing to do this.
I understand how tempting this can be, but it’s not worth committing fraud. That’s why you should avoid any roofing company that brings up paying your deductible.
6. Only the insurance adjuster can approve your claim
Some homeowners think a claim is approved just because a roofing company finds storm damage. However, the insurance adjuster is the only one who can approve an insurance claim.
A roofing contractor can inspect for storm damage, take pictures as proof, and advocate for you if they think you have it. Even if a roofing contractor is 100% certain that your roof has storm damage, the insurance adjuster has all the power over approval.
Just keep in mind that adjusters aren’t professional roofers, so mistakes do happen. Fortunately, there are options if your claim is denied to double or triple-check if you have a viable claim.
7. Hire a local Brentwood roofing company with insurance claim experience
The most important thing to do after a storm damages your roof is to hire a local Brentwood roofing company with experience working with insurance claims. Any roofer you consider must have a physical office in our area, a local phone number, and be licensed, bonded, and insured in TN.
They’ll know how the insurance claim process works, how to read your claim, and how to do the work in compliance with your insurance company to avoid committing fraud. On top of this, it helps you avoid the risks of hiring an out-of-state roofing company chasing storms.
However, there’s no reason to get multiple quotes. Not only is the initial price set by the insurance company, but you need one roofer you can trust to guide and do things right.
So, find a local Brentwood roofing company, make sure they have insurance experience, and keep them updated on the adjuster’s appointment.
Need a storm damage inspection from a roofing company in Brentwood, TN?
After reading this article, you know the 7 things every homeowner needs to know before starting the claim process. All the information here ensures you have the best experience possible during a process that can be long and tedious.
Now, it’s time to find a Brentwood roofing company you can trust for a storm damage inspection. If you want a free storm damage inspection from us, don’t hesitate to reach out.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped thousands of homeowners in Brentwood, Franklin, and surrounding Middle TN areas with their insurance claims. On top of our insurance expertise, we offer roof replacements, skylight replacements, and roof repairs (repairs on hold for new customers due to labor shortage).
I take extreme pride in our work and back it up with a lifetime workmanship warranty on our new roofs. That’s why I’ve always said, “When you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about your roof again.”
Get a Free Quote here or call our office at (615) 242-0333 today to schedule your free storm damage roof inspection today.
