Roofing damage usually does not appear right away and can be the result of several factors. Age, poor maintenance, and inclement weather can turn minor damage into a major problem. Strong winds and hurricanes are primarily responsible for damaged roofs in Hollywood, FL.
Unfortunately, roof damage claims in Hollywood, FL can be complicated. The insurance company may try to either deny your claim or pay less than you are entitled to by suggesting that your failure to catch roof damage sooner or maintain your roof is the reason why your repair costs are so high.
If you find yourself facing a situation where you feel that you are getting a raw deal in your insurance claim or your insurance provider denies your claim, you should contact our Hollywood roof damage lawyers at Klotzman Property Damage Law.
Call us today at 954-915-7405 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation where our property damage experts can determine how best to fight for your rights under the law.
What Are the Common Causes of Roof Damage?
Roof damage may be caused by accidents or natural disasters. In Hollywood, FL, wind damage is a primary concern, usually linked to tropical storms and hurricanes. Still, many different things can happen to cause damage to your roof, including but not limited to:
- Tornados
- Trees
- Smoke, Heat, or Fire
- Wind-Driven Rain
- High Winds
- Hail
- Wear and Tear Over Time
- Sun
- Hurricanes
Insurance companies may try claiming that the damage to your roof was the result of your own failure to maintain your roof. If that’s not the case, but the insurance company still insists on denying your claim on this basis, you should call the Hollywood, FL roof damage lawyers from Klotzman Property Damage at 954-915-7405 to fight for your rights under the law.
What Are the Types of Roof Damage Covered by Insurance?
Homeowner’s insurance policies typically cover roof damage that cannot be linked back to the owner. Examples may include:
Inclement Weather
Ongoing threats of harsh rains, high winds, hail, and perhaps even tornadoes plague Hollywood, FL homeowners each year. Natural disasters may cause serious damage to your roof. Fortunately, homeowner’s insurance policies usually cover storm damage.
Fires
Unlike what many people assume, homeowner’s insurance actually covers accidental fires. Policies are designed to cover incidents of certain types, including accidental fire. However, your policy won’t cover intentional fires (i.e., arson) caused by the property owner.
Trees
Your homeowner’s insurance policy covers some but not all claims involving roof damage caused by a falling tree. The reason for this is that the vast majority of claims walk a fine line between tree falls caused by neglect and weather-related tree falls.
What Are the Types of Roof Damage Not Covered by Insurance?
A homeowner’s insurance policy will typically not cover damage that stems from the homeowner’s negligence. There are several scenarios that would make a claim for damages unlikely to be covered by an insurance policy, which include:
Water Damage and Leaks
Water damage, which includes leaks, is only covered by insurance if the damage was caused by a covered event. For example, if your roof was damaged by a hailstorm, which resulted in a leak, then that damage would be covered.
Roof Age
A roof damage claim may not be covered by insurance if your roof is too old. In the vast majority of cases, “old” is a term that’s used to refer to 20 years or older, which accounts for the lifespan of most shingle roofs.
Damage Caused by Property Owner
If the property owner causes damage to their own roof, such as undertaking repairs themselves as opposed to hiring a roofing professional will generally not be covered under their homeowner’s insurance policy.
Excluded Perils
Covered perils account for the vast majority of weather events likely to cause damage to the roof of a building. Still, there are certain perils that are generally excluded, which include but are not limited to the following:
- Flooding
- Sewer Backup
- Pest Infestation
- Mold and Mildew, Except in Some Special Instances
- Earth Movements such as Landslides, Earthquakes, Sinkholes, or Mudslides
- Nuclear Leak or Explosion
- War or Government Action
What To Do If Your Roof Has Been Damaged?
If your roof has been damaged, there are some important steps that you should take to preserve your compensation claim:
Assess the Damage
Assessing the damage to your roof should be the first step. Ideally, you should hire a professional to do this since they can safely and accurately assess the true extent of the damage and how much it will cost to repair or whether replacement is required.
Document Everything in Your Insurance Claims
Once you find out exactly what is wrong with your roof, you are required to provide certain documents to your insurance agency to validate the claim. You should submit a detailed report of everything that’s damaged and needs fixing. Don’t forget to include photos from before and after any damage occurred.
Review Your Insurance Policy
It is always important to be aware of your rights with your insurance plan when filing for an insurance claim. Review your contract and note any details that may be relevant to filing your damage claim. For example, what types of roof damage are covered by your insurance company?
Notify Your Insurance Company
You should also ensure that you notify your insurance company without delay that you are making a claim. The vast majority of insurance policies will only cover damage from the peril itself. If you make the mistake of delaying making your claim and undertaking the necessary repairs, more damage may occur.
Keep Maintenance Records
Insurance companies may try denying a claim if they believe the damage was caused by a lack of maintenance. Whenever you have maintenance or other work done on your roof, whether it is to repair damage in the claim or not, you should always keep detailed maintenance records, which can help prove to the insurance company that you have not been failing to maintain your roof properly.
Hire a Lawyer
Contacting the experienced Hollywood, FL roof damage lawyers at Klotzman Property Damage Law before filing your claim will make life easier for you in the long run. Working with our experienced legal team can help you successfully file your claim in one attempt. Otherwise, you risk denial or delay in the claims process.
File Your Insurance Claim
With the assistance of our lawyers, you should file a claim using a form provided by your insurance company. Include all relevant information and evidence on this form to ensure that you are adequately compensated for any losses incurred. Our lawyers can also help you file an appeal in case your insurance claim is denied.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair or Replace a Roof?
Roof repair costs generally depend on the contractor, the type of roof material, and the extent of the damage, which is why it is almost impossible to give an average price. Roof replacement, on the other hand, is much easier to calculate. The average cost for a roof replacement in Florida is between $10,000 and $20,000. Keep in mind, however, that the price might be higher or lower if you want to use a different material or type.
Why Would a Roof Damage Insurance Claim Get Denied?
Roof damage is expensive to fix, which is why insurance adjusters often look for ways to deny a claim. It is important to understand your homeowner’s insurance policy, its limitations, and what your insurance provider may refuse to cover. Here are some of the reasons why your claim might be denied:
- The Loss Isn’t Covered: Insurance companies often look for a loophole or an exclusion that lets them claim that a loss isn’t covered under your policy.
- Your Claim is Missing Documents or is Otherwise Incomplete: Insurance companies often require homeowners to submit copious documentation and evidence to support their claim. Failure to provide the requested evidence or documentation often results in claim denial.
- Your Policy Only Covers Repairs: If your homeowner’s insurance policy only provides repair coverage, a claim involving a total loss to your roof can be denied since it cannot be repaired.
- A Third-party Is Responsible for the Damage: Your insurance provider may also deny your roof damage claim on the basis that a third party is partially or wholly liable for the damage.
- Your Roof Suffered Damage Previously: Your insurance company may also deny your claim, saying that the recent storm wasn’t the cause of the damage, but rather something else that happened before.
Ways a Roof Repair Delay Can Affect You
Your roof is essentially the first line of defense against the elements for your home. If damage is left unrepaired for too long, it can present severe risks to your family and home. Here are some of the ways a roof repair delay may affect you:
Your Insurance Claim May Be Denied
Delaying roof repairs can result in a denied insurance claim. While your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover damage from wind, hail, or fire, it does not cover issues resulting from negligence or lack of maintenance.
Small Issues May Lead to Big Problems
One important thing you need to understand about roofing is that it usually does not take long for small issues to turn into major problems. Delaying roof repairs can cause damage that ultimately compromises the structural integrity of the entire roof.
Mold or Mildew Growth
A leaky roof can create the perfect conditions for dangerous mold and mildew to grow and thrive, which can be a major health hazard to you, your family, and your pets. Mold and mildew can also be both expensive and difficult to eliminate.
How Can a Roof Damage Lawyer Help with Your Claim?
If you find yourself needing to file a roof claim, hiring our experienced roof damage attorneys in Hollywood, FL at Klotzman Property Damage Law can be your best option. Insurance policies are essentially contracts and you need an advocate capable of interpreting the policy language.
With the help of our legal team, the entire claim process can move faster. Our experienced lawyers will thoroughly assess your claim and provide guidance on the best way to handle it. When you choose us, we can do the following to ensure that the claim process is smooth and easy:
- Investigate to determine the true source of the damage to your roof.
- Carefully review your insurance policy to determine how much compensation you are entitled to receive.
- Working with experts that can provide evidence about what really caused damage to your roof and refute any biased inspection reports prepared by agents or adjusters paid by the insurance company.
- Stand up for your rights when the insurance company tries to pay less than what you reasonably deserve to repair the damage.
- Negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you get the compensation you are rightfully entitled to.
If you suffered roof damage, but your claim was denied, you may have a valid claim. Insurance companies in Hollywood, FL often rely on people’s general lack of knowledge to avoid paying what’s fair. They can deny your claim hoping that you won’t think it is worth the hassle.
You should not allow those unscrupulous insurance adjusters off the hook. Call our experienced roof damage lawyers at Klotzman Property Damage Law in Hollywood, FL at 954-915-7405 and act to protect your investment today. We offer a free, initial consultation.
Contact Our Hollywood Roof Damage Lawyers Today!
If your roof has sustained damage and you believe it is covered by your policy, but your insurance provider won’t pay the claim, you should consider hiring a lawyer such as those at Klotzman Property Damage Law.
We can help you compile evidence and build a strong case and help you get the repair or replacement you are owed. We understand the required steps for a successful roof claim. Call us today at 954-915-7405 to schedule your free consultation.
