Tips To Make a Successful Roof Claim in Florida

Living in the state of Florida definitely has its perks as well as its drawbacks. If you are a homeowner, one concerning thing can be finding substantial roof damage following a storm or hurricane. This is cause for concern because a roof claim in Florida is complex, and even minor damages can become disastrous problems if ignored. Recent legislation has also been enacted in efforts to further complicate an already complex process such as Senate Bill 76. To help guide you through the roof damage insurance claim process, let the property insurance professionals at Martindale Law Group help your family. Our team has put together great insurance tips for these cases.

Educate Yourself & Understand Your Coverage

One major factor to realize about your insurance coverage is the age of your roof. This plays a heavy role when it comes down to your claim being accepted or denied. Part of the investigation involves the adjuster taking a close look at your roof for a couple things. The first is to assess the damage and next is to ensure that your roof is the age detailed at the policy issue date. Insurers have guidelines regarding roof age and what coverage they can offer. To make things more confusing, every company varies even moreso in their policies and procedures. One could offer limited coverage for an older roof, while others may decide to deny coverage altogether. When in doubt, look it up!

Your policy will detail what coverage you have, so take a look at it and locate these key terms:

• Deductible: Know how much is your deductible is. Your deductible is the amount you are responsible to pay out pocket towards the repair costs. Most insurers need to see that you have completely paid the deductible before issuing the rest of the funds.
• Exclusions: Be aware of any exclusions that can apply. Ironically, some insurance carriers may exclude specific types of damages from their coverage. Whether it be from windstorm, hurricane, tornado, hail or other elements. What this means to you is that these specified types of damages incurred to your roof would not be covered.
• Covered Perils: Know if your policy an Open Peril or a Named Peril (also known as Broad Peril) policy. To begin, a peril is the reason for loss such as a storm, flood, fire, etc. It’s important to understand the differences here. Named Peril policies are often less expensive, but only provide coverage for specified instances, limiting your coverage.
• RCV vs. ACV: Check what type of value your coverage offers. Replacement cost value (RCV) or actual cash value (ACV) are starkly different when it comes to your payout. RCV means full replacement, with no factoring in of life span or depreciation into the replacement value. You will basically get 100% replacement or repair after the satisfaction of your deductible. Alternatively, ACV takes time into consideration and factors in depreciation. This is essentially the life left of your roof after a reduction for wear and tear, paid out after your deductible.

Hire a Professional Quickly To Assess Your Roof

Damage pertaining to your roof is not something to play with. You should act immediately, don’t wait to take action, for the consequences could cost you. First and foremost, you likely have obligations outlined in your property insurance policy that state that you must quickly report your losses. It’s also important to know that roof damage can be hard to assess without the trained eye of a professional. Be sure to enlist a dependable, trustworthy source who can assess damages and determine exactly how extensive repairs need to go. Lastly, remember that any damage left ignored will only get worse.

 

Fully Document Damages (And Maintenance!)

Documentation will always be king. As with most insurance claims, evidence is the key to getting your way during your settlement. It always helps to be proactive, and you can put effort into documenting your losses as well as your upkeep. To supplement a professional opinion during a roof inspection, take detailed photos and/or videos of your roof to serve as dependable documentation of any damages. Additionally, you can also be sure to save all relevant financial records and documentation to help your claim. You can also do the same if you have any routine maintenance and upkeep. According to Forbes, “Lack of maintenance could also come back to bite you after a storm. If your roof was old or not well-maintained before the storm, you could have trouble getting full reimbursement.” Now, that’s not the outcome we want, is it?

 

Prepare for Your Roof Claim in Florida

It is no surprise that home insurance roof claims often end up being intense contested disputes. There are many reasons it ends up this way. One of the main issues however, is that insurers often try to undervalue roof damages to the detriment of home owners. Though it seems simple, it stems from the question of do they really wish to issue a roof replacement? Or can a roof repair suffice? Meaning, sometimes insurance companies will attempt to deny the roof replacement, and instead insist that the homeowner attempt to get it repaired to save on costs. If your insurance company is refusing to pay your full claim, you should have your roof damage claim reviewed by a qualified legal team such as the Martindale Law Group. Never let the insurance company get the last word, because if you let them you’ll regret it!

More Information To Keep In Mind Regarding Your Roof Claim

Sustaining damage to your roof opens the door for many problems. Besides water damage, mold, structural issues and even health issues can impact your household. Once it is discovered, be sure to take the necessary measures to ensure your home is fixed as soon as possible. The Martindale Law Group is here to help through the 30+ years of collective experience among our tactical insurance litigators. Whether you have a claim underway, or a denial has been issued, contact us immediately. It is a privilege to go over your roof claim with you and outline the next steps to take.

 

The Martindale Law Group

Our personal injury and litigation attorneys help accident victims file claims to recover damages for many types of clients. Some that we specialize in are auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, aircraft accidents, boating accidents, sexual abuse, and brain and spinal cord injuries. Additionally, we provide legal services to the residents of Florida who receive unfair treatment by their insurance companies. It does not matter whether an insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or mishandled. We help our clients obtain the insurance coverage they need to repair their property from fire, water, or storm damage. Commercial litigation services to plaintiffs and defendants are also available for those involved in business and commercial transactions or disputes.