Repair or Replace- How Insurance makes the choice

Roof Repair vs. Total Loss – How Is This Choice Made?

Roof damage is covered under standard home insurance policies since the roof is an integral part of any home structure.

It is important that homeowners understand that not all damage to a roof requires a complete replacement, nor will a homeowners insurance policy cover a new roof unless the damage results in a total loss.

Your homeowners insurance agency will inspect roof damage and determine whether repair is possible or if replacement is necessary.

Determining A Total Loss Roof - Or Not?

There are many ways a roof can sustain damage. Minor issues that home insurance companies will typically pay to have repaired include incidents that affect only a part of the roof, such as blown off shingles or even a hole in the roof.

Damage that results in a total loss and having a homeowners insurance claim rep more likely to authorize a full roof replacement include widespread problems that affect greater than half of the roof.

Regardless of whether a roof is repaired or replaced, the purpose of a homeowners insurance policy is to restore the roof its prior working condition before any damage occurred.

How Do Insurance Adjusters Decide To Repair or Replace?

When determining whether damage to a covered structure will be repaired or if it qualifies for a total replacement, home insurance adjusters must consider a number of factors:

Type of Damage - Some damage is more easily repaired than others.
Extent of Damage - The more damage that is present, the more likely it is that a total loss will be decided.
Ability to be Repaired - Can the damage be easily or actually repaired.

Based on these factors, there are times when adjusters will only approve roofing repairs, even when a homeowner may think the roof is a total loss.

These professionals are very skilled in analyzing roofing damage; however, a homeowner can always seek the opinion of an expert roofer to write an estimate.

Smaller issues like slight differences in shingle colors do not normally warrant total replacement.

On the other hand, if a qualified roofer can show there is more damage than what was initially found by the adjuster, a homeowner’s insurance company may honor the request for a roof replacement.

There may be other factors that affect what an insurance company will and will not pay for based on the age of the roof, its condition prior to the damage, and whether or not it has received proper care and maintenance.

If your home has suffered damage and needs repair, please call Fortitude Roofing to schedule a consultation. While we’re not a Public Adjusting firm, we are experts in Insurance Restoration. We can help you in the after dealings of a claim.

Original copy of this article can be found here: bit.ly/2LqQWCF

Sean ClaireMay 9, 2020