What Do I Do if My Insurance Claim for Roof Damage Is Denied?

Are you stressed after your insurance claim for storm damage on your roof was denied? Are you hoping there is something else you can do to get insurance coverage so that you’re not stuck paying for expensive damage repairs?

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.

We are familiar with the claims process and know that it’s important to keep negotiating even if your claim gets denied or you initially don’t get as much coverage as you thought you would.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Why your insurance claim for roof damage might’ve been denied
• What you legally need to do to get insurance coverage as a homeowner
• The additional steps to take if your claim gets denied

By the end, you’ll understand how to continue trying to get coverage from your insurance company and ensure that you’re doing the best you can to get coverage.

Why was my insurance claim for roof damage denied?

Sometimes your claim can get denied if your insurance agency thinks that the damage or roof issue you have was not a result of storm damage (or whatever else your insurance policies cover).

This can often become a confusing gray area because the insurance adjustor who comes out to inspect the roof damage is not a roofing expert. They are just following their guidebook on dealing with this claim.

On the other hand, you might’ve hired a roofing contractor to do an inspection who tells you that you should be getting coverage for the type of roof damage you have.

Your denied claim could be a mistake that actually should be covered. Or it could be that it’s difficult to prove the damage was caused by whatever event (like a storm or a fire) you filed a claim for.

Other reasons your claim might’ve been denied include:

• Failing to file your claim on time
• The damage was actually caused by something that happened before the storm
• You did not properly document the damage
• Your shingles have a manufacturing defect that caused damage

How can I make sure my roof damage claim doesn’t get denied?

There are things that homeowners are legally required to do when they are working with an insurance company to get coverage.

Make sure that you are taking all of these steps. These are basic steps that you’re legally required to take. If you do not do them, then your insurance claim will probably be denied.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Give timely notice about the roof damage: This applies to any type of damage, but once you notice damage in your roof you need to let your insurance agency know as soon as possible. This has to happen right after you discover the damage. You cannot wait a year and then file a claim.
• Be honest about the roof damage: This one is pretty straightforward. Basically, the insurance company wants to avoid dealing with fraud.
• Allow the insurance company access to your roof: The insurance company needs to be able to send someone out to assess the damage to your roof. In order to do that, they need access to it. If you don’t let them look at the roof then you’re most likely not going to get any coverage.
• Make attempts to mitigate the damage: You should do your best to prevent future damage from appearing. For most people in the Greater Seattle area, this means putting a tarp over the damaged areas to prevent leaks. You might need to call in a roofing contractor to help you.
• Communicate with your insurance company: Make sure that you are responding to them in a timely manner and answer questions they have. They should be doing the same for you.

If you’re already doing all of these things and your claim was still denied, then it’s time to take some extra steps.

What steps do I take if my roof damage insurance claim is denied?

If you’ve done all of the steps from the previous section and you believe that the coverage you’re asking for is included in your policy, there are steps you can take to keep pushing for it.

1. Read through your insurance policies: Before you go any further, it’s important to make sure that you are filing a claim for the right type of coverage.
2. Reach out to your insurance agency again: Make sure that you send over pictures of the roof damage and detailed notes describing the damage if you haven’t done so already. It is crucial to include any evidence you have that the roof damage was caused by something covered in your policy. If you have to, ask to speak to a supervisor. Negotiating with an insurance company can be a long and frustrating process. Don’t give up! If your roof was damaged and your policy covers it, you will get coverage.
3. When meeting with your insurance company, don’t be afraid to ask them questions: Ask them what they need to help you get this claim approved. It all comes down to the evidence you provide. They might be missing some information that you can provide.
4. Hire a public adjuster: If you’re still not seeing progress or you’re feeling really overwhelmed with this process, it might be beneficial to hire a public adjuster to help you navigate this process and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If you find a roofing contractor who is experienced in working with insurance agencies, they can help you with negotiations too. If you feel that things are really getting out of hand, you can also hire an attorney (this is only necessary in extreme cases). In extreme cases where you need to hire a lawyer, you can also file a complaint to the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner on their website.
5. Avoid submitting bid information about roof repair costs: If you’re meeting with roofing contractors to get bids for how much it will cost to repair the roof damage, it’s not in your best interest to submit that information to your insurance company. If they see a bid for a lower amount than they were going to offer you, then you’re probably only going to get that lower amount.

Taking these steps will give you the chance to reevaluate and come back with a stronger claim. Hiring outside help like a public adjuster or a roofing contractor who has experience with insurance claims can make a big difference during this process.

Your Next Steps After a Denied Roof Damage Claim

A denied insurance claim for roof damage doesn’t mean you’re out of options. By understanding why your claim was denied, meeting your legal obligations as a homeowner, and taking additional steps to negotiate or escalate your case, you can still work toward securing the coverage you need.

Wondering how having RCV vs. ACV coverage impacts your access to coverage for roof damage? Read our article “RCV vs. ACV Claims for Roof Damage: How Your Insurance Impacts What Coverage You Get” to better understand your coverage policies, see what’s typically excluded for coverage, and learn when filing a claim is worth it.