TL;DR: Summary
RoofSmart helps homeowners navigate the complex roof damage insurance claim process to maximize their coverage. While Actual Cash Value (ACV) policies cannot be negotiated because they only cover depreciated value, Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policies pay to restore the roof to its original condition at fair market rates, allowing room for negotiation.
RoofSmart assists RCV policyholders by conducting a thorough inspection (with photo/video evidence), using industry-standard Xactimate software to submit comprehensive proposals to adjusters, executing the repairs, and negotiating additional invoices if hidden damage is uncovered during construction.
Are you worried you’ll have to pay more out of pocket for expensive roof damage repairs after your insurance claim was denied? Are you frustrated or confused about the claims process and looking for an experienced professional who can help you with negotiations?
At RoofSmart, we are committed to getting you the best coverage possible to help you fix your roof damage. In fact, the last 100 customers of ours who filed for coverage got an increase on their claim after we helped them negotiate with their insurance company.
In this article, you’ll learn how RoofSmart can assist you through every step of the insurance claim process to help you get the coverage you deserve.
By the end, you’ll understand the benefits of hiring a roping contractor to help you with your insurance claim and be able to decide if we’re the right company for your roof’s needs.
Can I negotiate with my insurance coverage?
Typically you’ll have one of two insurance coverage options: an ACV policy or an RCV policy. Most homeowners have RCV policies because they’re required if you have a mortgage on your home. The other alternative is ACV policies.
ACV policies cover the value of your home with depreciation. So, with this policy, you’d only get a small amount of what it was originally worth. This means that you’d probably only get a few thousand dollars for your roof repair. Unfortunately, there is no negotiating above this set amount if you have an ACV policy.
This means that there’s not much we can do to negotiate on your behalf with an ACV policy.
An RCV policy gives you coverage for repairs to get your home back into its original condition. It covers these costs at today’s fair market value rates. There is no depreciation.
There is room to negotiate with an RCV policy because you should be able to get coverage for all of the damage (as long as it’s included in your policy). We can help with your claim if you have an RCV policy.
What will RoofSmart be doing during each step of the insurance claim process?
We know that insurance claim negotiations can be difficult. And it’s even more difficult to find an experienced, trustworthy roofing contractor who can help with insurance claims. That’s why we’re here to help you through this process and make sure that you get the coverage you need.
1.) Thorough Roof Inspection
If your roof is damaged during a storm, we can come out to inspect it. This will help us decide if you have a viable claim for insurance. Most importantly, after seeing your roofing and the surrounding areas, we will be able to identify how much damage there is to your roof and accurately estimate how much repairs will cost.
During our inspection, we will take pictures and videos to document evidence of the damage. We encourage you to take your own pictures as well, but you’re welcome to use ours when you file the claim.
It is important that we gather plenty of evidence of the damage so that your insurance company can clearly see what’s wrong.
If you have an urgent leak or holes in your roof, we will set up a tarp on your roof. This will help prevent further leaks or water damage. If you need help removing debris that smashed through your roof, then we can help you with that as well.
2.) Filing a Claim and Making Adjustments
Once you file a claim, your insurance company will send out an adjuster to inspect your roof and come up with their own estimate for damage. They’ll usually give you an initial check for the amount they decided on during the inspection.
These estimates usually do not account for all of the damage to the roof because the insurance adjuster isn’t an expert in the roofing industry. So, we can help with negotiations by making suggestions for what else should be covered and providing pricing to help you get the coverage you need for your roof.
This is where the pictures we took during our inspection come in handy. Having clear evidence and specific prices for repairing each damaged area is the most effective way to increase the coverage you get.
Sometimes the negotiations will happen over email or phone. Other times, the insurance company will want to meet at your property to inspect the roof with us. This depends on your insurance company’s preferences.
To create proposals that are specifically designed to be read by insurance companies, we use a tool called Xactimate. This way, the insurance company can easily see everything that needs to be done during the repair and how much everything costs.
3.) Repairing or Replacing Your Roof
We can begin repairing your roof after you and your insurance company have agreed on our proposed scope of work and the amount of coverage you need. This process can take a few weeks or months depending on how much damage there is and how quickly we can get you on our schedule.
This is around the time when your insurance company will send you the check for the rest of your coverage. If it is more than $10,000, then you’ll have to sign it and send it to your mortgage company for their approval. Once they approve it and send it back you can use it.
4.) Additional Negotiations for Hidden Damage (if needed)
Sometimes not all of the roof damage is visible until the crews start working on the roof. If we notice any hidden damage to your roof, then we’ll take pictures of it and then repair it.
We’ll let you know about the additional damage. We’ll also send your insurance company an invoice for additional damage with a justification (this will include pictures of the damage and specific pricing).
This could be as minimal as replacing a few rotting pieces of plywood or something more drastic like discovering a hidden leak from the storm damage that caused mold to grow all over your attic.
After we finish the repairs, the project will be over, and your roof will once again be in good condition.
Why choose RoofSmart to help you with your roof damage insurance claim?
We are one of the very few roofing contractors who have experience working with insurance companies and can help you with negotiations. We will be there every step of the way to make sure that you’re getting the coverage you deserve.
Some of you might be waiting for the catch or thinking that this sounds too good to be true. But, the reality is we have an aligned interest here. We want you to get as much coverage as possible so that your roof is restored to good condition. We get paid, and you get free high-quality repairs. It’s a win-win!
Ready to schedule an inspection and get help with your roof insurance claim? Fill out our contact form to get started:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can RoofSmart help me negotiate my roof damage claim with any insurance policy?
RoofSmart can actively help you negotiate if you have a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policy, as these cover the fair market cost to restore your home to its original condition. However, if you have an Actual Cash Value (ACV) policy, the payout is locked to the depreciated value of the roof, meaning there is no room for negotiation.
2. What does RoofSmart do during the initial roof inspection?
During the inspection, RoofSmart assesses the storm damage to determine if you have a viable insurance claim. They will accurately estimate repair costs and document everything with photos and videos to provide clear evidence for your insurance company.
3. Will RoofSmart protect my home if there is active, urgent roof damage?
Yes. If your roof has an urgent leak or holes from storm damage, RoofSmart will set up a tarp during the initial inspection to prevent further water damage. They can also assist with removing heavy debris that has crashed through the roof.
4. What happens after I file a claim with my insurance company?
Your insurance company will send out an insurance adjuster to inspect the roof and provide an initial damage estimate and check. Because adjusters are generally not roofing industry experts, these initial estimates often miss crucial damage.
5. How does RoofSmart help increase my insurance payout?
RoofSmart reviews the adjuster's estimate and uses their documented photo/video evidence to suggest what else needs to be covered. They use Xactimate, the same specialized estimation software that insurance companies use, to submit clear, professional line-item proposals that adjusters can easily review and approve.
6. Will RoofSmart meet with my insurance adjuster in person?
It depends on your insurance company’s preferences. Sometimes negotiations are handled entirely over the phone or email. In other cases, the insurance company will request an on-site meeting, and RoofSmart will meet with the adjuster at your property to inspect the roof together.
7. How long does it take to get my roof repaired or replaced?
Once you and your insurance company agree on RoofSmart's proposed scope of work, the repair process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This timeline depends on the severity of the damage and RoofSmart's current schedule.
8. What should I do if my insurance check is made out for more than $10,000?
If your insurance coverage check is over $10,000, you will typically need to sign it and send it to your mortgage company first. The mortgage company must approve and release the funds before you can use the check to pay for the repairs.
9. What happens if RoofSmart finds more damage after they start working?
It is common for hidden damage (like rotting plywood or trapped mold) to become visible only after the old roof is torn off. If this happens, RoofSmart will document the hidden damage with photos, complete the necessary repairs, and send a supplemental invoice with clear photographic justification directly to your insurance company.
10. Why should I choose RoofSmart over handling the claim myself?
RoofSmart is one of the few roofing contractors with extensive experience directly negotiating with insurance companies. Because their goal is aligned with yours—getting your roof fully restored to top condition—they handle the heavy lifting of the claims process so you can get high-quality, fully covered repairs.
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