HOMEOWNER INSURANCE CLAIMS

As a homeowner, you have a lot to manage and keep track of. Between routine maintenance and dealing with issues that arise unexpectedly, you regularly have a lot on your plate. Add in damage from bad weather, a fire, or another cause that’s out of your control, and you may feel lost, stressed, and overwhelmed. That’s why you rely on your insurance company to be there for you when these kinds of damages occur.

However, not all claims go smoothly when it comes to homeowners insurance, especially claims for roofs, which tend to be very costly. While many homeowner insurance policies will cover roof damage, such as damage resulting from wind or hail, it’s critical to check your policy, since the type and extent of coverage can vary. A common instance when insurance companies may push back on, delay, or deny a claim is when there is damage resulting from an older roof, or if the damage sustained was largely due to a roof that hasn’t been repaired or maintained. Other factors can be a missed filing deadline, pre-existing damage, or damage caused by a flood, which is often under separate insurance.

Roof damage, especially in cases where the entire roof must be replaced, is a costly undertaking. And if your insurance company won’t assist in covering damages, or provides you an estimate that is well below what repairs will actually cost, it can put a tremendous amount of stress on you as a homeowner. While this may happen if the damage isn’t specifically covered, sometimes it happens because insurance companies are skirting around their obligations and do not wish to pay for much, if anything, relating to the damage. If you suspect that your insurer isn’t holding up their end, this is often referred to as bad faith insurance.

Another factor to consider is the “right to repair” act, which means insurance companies will have their preferred contractor do the repairs as opposed to providing you with payment to choose your own contractor. While this may seem like a good solution for both parties, it can be detrimental for you, since the contractor essentially works for the insurance company and might cut corners or not do the repairs to your specifications or needs. In this case, before agreeing to a right to repair, you should consult an insurance attorney.

If you are facing thousands of dollars in repairs due to roof damage because your claim was denied or delayed when it should have been honored under your policy, you’ll need the help of an experienced insurance attorney. Joe Knape is skilled at fighting for clients to get the compensation they deserve. Joe will work diligently with you to resolve these cases and ensure you receive personalized attention and guidance that is specific to your case.

Call Attorney Joe Knape at 407-508-7774 for a free consultation and see how Joe can help you as you begin the process of repairing your home or your roof and getting things back to normal.