Insurance Claims

In our experience, many homeowners have questions about the insurance claims process. This happens because the claims process is not always explained in easy to understand terms. Here are some of the common insurance claim questions we run across.

• Will my rates raise if I file a claim?
• What is Actual Cash Value?
• What is Replacement Cost Value?
• What is Recoverable Depreciation?
• Why didn’t they pay more for my roof?

After guiding homeowners step by step through hundreds of insurance claims, we’ve got a pretty good handle on how the insurance claims process works. This doesn’t mean we quit learning though. Every insurance company has it’s own way of processing an insurance claim, including what they pay for and how they approve missed items. These ever changing policies keep us sharp and on our toes. Read more about us to hear some success stories.

Here is a step by step guide to the insurance claims process.

1. Roof Inspection. C.W. Roofing & Construction inspects the roof to verify the hail or wind damage.
2. File a claim. After you file an claim with your insurance company, your claim will be assigned to an insurance adjuster. The insurance adjuster will call you with a date and time to inspect your property.
3. Insurance Adjustment. The insurance adjuster will inspect the property for damage.
4. Estimate and 1st Check. The insurance company will send their estimate of damages along with a payment in the form of a check. This first payment is called Actual Cash Value.
5. Supplemental Estimate. Items are always missed on the estimate. Pictures of the missed items are sent back in with a revised estimate to your insurance company. Your insurance company will receive this estimate, review it and will typically send you an updated estimate and a supplemental check. Your insurance company has the right to re-inspect any damages before paying for them.
6. Complete Repairs. No matter what type of damage has occurred to your property, we will help general contract all phases of the job for you so you don’t have to worry about finding individual contractors.
7. Final Invoice. We send in the final invoice to the insurance company stating the work has been complete. They will review this and then send out the Recoverable Depreciation.
8. Final Check – Final Payment from the insurance company is sent to you. We collect the final payment and issue you the warranties.

There are other circumstances that add steps to the process. These might include things like sending your check off to be endorsed by the mortgage company or calling for a final inspection before the mortgage company releases the final check.

What is a re-inspection?

A re-inspection takes place in one of two ways.

1. The first inspection by the insurance company ended in a denial and a re-inspection was requested to have a different adjuster come out and check the damages.
2. A supplemental estimate is sent to the insurance company and they want to re-inspect to make sure the supplemental items are verified on-site.

How can I be sure the adjuster is checking the damages? 

We are present at your insurance adjustment to watch the adjuster perform the inspection. We never argue with an adjuster, but we like to see how they inspect the property to make sure you get a fair shake. (Not all insurance adjusters will look for appropriate damages or be very thorough)

What is a video inspection?

The insurance company sends out a third party inspector or roofer to check for damages. They inspect the property and then get on an app with an adjuster in an office and show them what they can see on site. There has been a lot of friction with this type of inspection, but this type of inspection saves insurance carriers save a lot of money.

Public Adjusters and Attorneys for Insurance Claims

A lot of the insurance process has to do with understanding the terms and knowing that all things can be settled by taking the necessary steps. At C.W. Roofing & Construction, we have never had to use a public adjuster or an attorney for any of our insurance claims. In our experience, most adjusters are good people doing their jobs and most insurance companies will pay for damages when they are present.

Whether you have a metal roof or a composition roof, we can help identify damage and walk you through the insurance claims process. It’s very simple and we enjoy helping people get the most out of their claim. Read what people have said about us!