When it comes to our homes and our roofs, homeowners insurance is supposed to give us peace of mind. Yet going through the roofing insurance claim process can seem anything but peaceful!

On top of the stress of dealing with repairing or replacing a roof that’s been damaged by a storm or other event, there’s the additional layer of negotiating with the insurance company to get a fair payment for the project.

Part of that process is the insurance supplement process, which happens when an insurance claims adjuster may not have documented some of the repairs that the roof needs. When you don’t agree with that assessment, you have the right to file an appeal.

If this claim is denied – or if it’s never sent in the first place – the contractors and/or the homeowners can be stuck with the bill. 

We’re here to help make this insurance supplement process a bit easier with this brief overview of how it works, mistakes that are often made, and how you can avoid them all with the help of US Home Supplements.

How The Roofing Insurance Supplement Process Works 

The insurance supplement process isn’t always a walk in the park. A lot of parties will need to be involved in the process, from the homeowner and the insurance adjuster – acting as a rep for the insurance company – to the roofing contractors. 

We mention the insurance adjuster early for a reason: you may not actually need to call them, and it may save you the trouble of this whole process.

Before making that call, check over your insurance policy. If the damage seems significant enough to reach out to your insurance company, talk to your roofing contractor first. They’ll be able to provide an estimate. 

If it’s lower than your deductible, you may want to leave your insurance company out of it because even calling them out to your property will result in a claim… which could mean higher premiums.

Should you decide to move forward with the insurance company, they will send an adjuster out to your home to independently assess the damage.

From there, the homeowner receives a summary of the damages found. Should the claim be approved, there will likely be a check that covers the first half of the amount for the repairs.

The homeowner will also need to pay the previously discussed deductible. Together, this will set in progress the roof repairs, which need to be finished according to a specific timeline.

Following the completion of the work, documentation of the work – including the final costs for the repairs – will be sent to the insurance company. A second check that’s intended to cover the remaining costs will be issued, and that should cover the cost of the job. 

If all goes well, the homeowner now has an intact (or new) roof, the roofing contractors have been paid, and business continues on as normal. 

When Roofing Insurance Claims Are Denied

Unfortunately, just because a roof was damaged doesn’t mean that the homeowner is going to get compensated. It’s often the case that homeowners insurance policies have specific terms about what qualifies as damage, or the terms of your deductible.

For example, if your roofing contractor’s estimate is more than your deductible but the insurance claims adjuster puts it as less, your insurance company may deny your claim.

Also, you may find that the deductible changes for different kinds of claims (e.g. hail, wind, snow), so submitting a claim for one deductible when the damage qualifies for another can lead to a denial.

Another common reason for a denial during the roofing insurance claim process is damage that results from normal wear and tear. Though it may need to be repaired, if it’s something that basic maintenance should have prevented, your insurance policy likely won’t cover it.

When To Dispute A Roofing Insurance Claim 

Say your original claim has gone through, but more damage is found as the repair process is undertaken. In this case, the original payment from the insurance company is not going to be sufficient to cover the additional work that needs to be done.

Without a roofing insurance supplement, the homeowner and/or the contractor will need to make up the difference.

With a roofing insurance supplement, however, you can make a case for additional funds. This will require proof (photos should do the trick), and then an appeal.

While this process may not be the fastest, it’s an important one to take on to make sure the roof repair or replacement is properly reimbursed. 

Get Help With Your Roofing Insurance Claim Appeal With US Home Supplements

Fortunately, you don’t have to take on the insurance supplement process alone. 

As US Home Supplements, we have helped hundreds of contractors with thousands of supplement claims. It’s our goal to help roofers get paid fairly and quickly. 

For more information about how we can use our roofing supplement expertise to get you paid faster, send us a message today.