Insurance Claims

What Does Your Policy Cover?

If you’re scratching your head wondering what’s covered and what’s not, then you may need to give your insurance provider a ring. They can get you on the right track and let you know what it is you will need to provide when it comes to filing your claim.

For the most part, a policy will provide coverage based on a few key criteria, including the age of your roof. The longer you’ve had your current roof, the less they are willing to pay, as you could be due for a new one very soon.

A good cut-off point for roofing is 10 years, as most insurance companies will base it on that. If you’ve had your current roof for more than 10 years, expect to get less coverage. However, in less than 10 years, you could be looking at substantial help for damages done by intense storms.

If you have a policy that instead looks at value, you may be able to get the total value minus the depreciation. In this case, all of the damages could be covered, leaving you to pay very little to get your rooftop back in tip-top shape.

Whatever the case, you can expect your insurance provider to send an inspector to your home to take a look at the damages. They will assess the damages done and will report back to your insurance company, which will give you the final say.

During this time, you may need to provide documentation, including photos.

Even if you’re not having trouble with your home or roof, you should still take a set of photos that can serve as your “before” pictures. Over time, if you have any updates done to your roofing or home, you should update your pictures, able to show a time-lapse of the quality of your roof.

This is important to receiving assistance from your insurance provider, as it will prove that the condition of your roof is not due to normal wear and tear. If the insurance company determines that your roof is damaged due to aging, then they will not cover it for you and the repairs could be costly.

If you’re not currently in the habit of keeping photos of things around your home, you should start now, updating them when things happen, Make sure that your photos have a date on them and that you can access them in case anything goes wrong.

Top Misconceptions when Filing a Roof Damage Claim

Your roof is an essential part of your home, which is why you should take steps to get it fixed as soon as possible. When it comes to filing a claim, there are a few misconceptions that could lead to your claim taking much more time than needed, and we’re here to share them with you.

Procrastination is your worst enemy when it comes to making claims. Though you may think that you have an unlimited amount of time, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Time is of the essence and will determine how swiftly your insurance company reacts.

When it comes to filing claims, most insurance companies will give you up to one year, though the sooner the better. If you’re having doubts on how to start or are just letting time pass by, give your insurance company a call and start asking questions, getting the process started as soon as possible.

There is a thing on all insurance providers’ fine print that talks about the use of preferred contractors. Preferred and required are two different things, and you can actually choose a certified contractor of your own.

A lot of policyholders think that they have to use the contractors listed within their policy, though that couldn’t be further from the truth. You can choose your own, though you will need to use caution to not just choose any other contractor.

Kymand Roofing is one of Alberta’s most trusted roofing pros, helping policyholders get their roof looking brand new quickly, even after the most detrimental storms.

A lot of Canadians can make it through a storm and not experience any kind of issues with their roof or home. However, even the lightest storms can make small tears that lead to leaking. After an intense hail, it’s recommended that all homeowners take a look at their roofs to assess the damage.

Some hail damage can be hard to spot at first, though taking a close look and maybe feeling the roof with your hands will reveal that it’s a lot more damaged than you may have imagined in the beginning. It’s better to be overcautious than overlook, so be sure to assess correctly.

There are some homeowners that think they can only file a claim with intense roof damage. The truth is, even minor roof damage is okay for a claim, as long as there is some notable damage. Even the smallest amount of damage could lead to leaks, which is the top thing that homeowners should be concerned with.

Insurance is there no matter how small the claim is, so it’s best to use it when you need it. Even the smallest of damage can lead to damage inside of the home, which is why you should take care of it as soon as you can.

In 2014, the New Home Buyer Protection Act was put in place to help new homebuyers. While it raises a lot of excitement, there is also fine print just like with any other contract. The fine print states that insurance will kick in and cover everything, though it’s only for structural defects.

When it comes to hail damage, it is not defined as a structural defect, so it is not covered by this act. You may need to take out additional insurance if you don’t already have it on your home just to be on the safe side if severe weather strikes.

A typical upgrade to any house is shingling the roof. Normal wear and tear can really damage the roof, especially with the passing of season over time. Snow, hail, the hot sun, and rain can all do a number on one’s roof, leaving it prone to leaks and other issues.

While it may seem like adding newer shingles or taking care of the roof would be a way to guarantee that you could get a replacement, many contractors will not insure new shingles or roofing.

This is one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to insurance, as it depends on much more than if you file a claim. Insurance companies can raise your rate, though it could be due to an event that affects more people in your area.

When you do file an individual claim, you won’t usually see an increase, and will only pay any kind of deductible that’s laid out in your policy. It’s not usually to have to pay for light to minor hail damage, though your policy may only cover up to a certain amount if it’s serious.

When winter comes around, everything seems to be put on hold. You may think that the insurance companies will stall until spring, though winter is a great time to file a claim. Not only are they less busy, but they also will have more availability for someone to come out to fix it.

Springtime is high season and sees an influx of customers filing claims because of the nice weather. Instead of waiting, you should file your claim as soon as you spot the damage.

Once you receive a payment from your insurance, you could think that you have all the time you need. Though the time you take to hire a contractor depends on you, you may want to consider getting on the ball instead of waiting until the weather gets warmer.

As we mentioned, the spring is go time for contractors, so they may be busy elsewhere if you wait too long. As soon as you get your funds from a claim, you should reach out to a contractor, one that you know and trust.

Though it doesn’t happen all the time, there are some instances where your claim is denied. A lot of policyholders take that as a final say and will not take any further action. If you have reason to believe that you did not receive a fair estimate and you think your roof needs repair, you can appeal your denial.

Sometimes, there is a lot going on during the high season, and insurance companies could fail to assess every situation to the best of their ability. When this happens, there are a few deserving claims that get denied. If you had a rough storm, you should appeal, doing so as soon as you receive your denial.

In most cases, your insurance company will give you two options when choosing a contractor. They will give you a list of preferred contractors to choose from or allow you to choose your own.

Preferred contractors are contractors who work directly with insurance companies. They are seen as one of several providers, offering incentives including lower prices and guaranteed work. One of the plus sides of going preferred is that they have a reputation to protect.

Still, you may find that you miss out on some extras. Preferred contractors are trying to also make money from their work and could just try to get by with the bare minimum to get your roof back in workings shape.

Instead of going with one of the many preferred contractors, you could choose to take a look at the market and go with one that you know. Kymand Roofing is a trusted contractor that’s been in the business for some time now.

Instead of skidding by, they put emphasis on quality and will ensure that you get the best roofing for your payout. They don’t work for insurance companies but will work with the payout received to give customers the best setup they can.

Insurance Claims for your Roof: The Sooner the Better

Your roof is an essential part of your home, keeping you sheltered from whatever the weather decides to do. In order to keep your roof in its best shape, you may need to file a claim and let insurance help you out.

You can get repairs on your roof at any time, getting it back in tip-top shape so that you can enjoy it from now and beyond.