A roof not only covers and protects your home. It also protects you and your family from the outside elements. The roof is, therefore, exposed to the outside elements. Strong winds, ice, heavy snow, and even hail can damage your roof. If your roof gets damaged, your insurance company can pay for roof repair or replacement.
It is, however, difficult to make a home insurance claim for roof damage. The insurance can deny your claim. It is in your best interest to hire a skilled Miami roof damage lawyer. An attorney can help you interpret the policy language and fight for your rights.
Your lawyer will fight for you to get you the maximum settlement.
At Klotzman Law Firm, we can guide you through the entire process. We will make sure your roof damage claim is smooth and easy. We will protect your rights. Our Miami property damage lawyers are ready to help you get the compensation your rightfully deserve.
Contact us at 954-915-7405 to book your free consultation.
What Are the Common Causes of Roof Damage?
It is expensive to repair or replace a damaged roof. Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of your roof. We highly encourage you to hire professional roofers to regularly inspect your roof. Oftentimes, roofers can identify and fix issues before they damage your roof.
Strong Winds
Strong winds can lift up or even blow off your shingles. If strong winds lift up your shingles, rainwater can enter under your shingles. The water can damage your roof and even the walls of your house. You will need to inspect your roof after a storm. Fix any damaged shingles on your roof.
Strong Rain
If it rains hard, the rain can damage the protective coating on your shingles. Water can, therefore, enter your house through these spots. The water can cause more damage to your house. In fact, the pounding from strong rain can shorten the lifespan of your roof.
Roof Debris
If you have trees on your property, then sticks and leaves can accumulate on your roof. Debris can even accumulate on your gutters. The build-up of debris on your roof can cause drainage issues and even roof ragging. If water accumulates on your roof due to poor drainage issues, then your roof structure might rot.
Tree Branches
Strong winds and rain can break branches of nearby trees. The branches can fall on your roof, damaging your roof. So, if you have old trees near your house, the branches of these trees can fall on your roof to damage your roof. It is best to cut the weak branches of the trees near your house.
Flashing Damage
The purpose of the roof flashing is to weatherproof the roof along the edges and around the vents and chimneys. The flashing can, however, get damaged over time. If they get damaged, water can enter your home through the damaged flashing. Flashing damage can cause water damage in your home.
Improper Installation
Improper roof installation can lead to roof damage. For instance, installing new roofing over your old shingles can lead to water leaks and even broken shingles. It is much better to hire professional roofing contractors to properly install your roof. Proper installation can help prevent roof damage in the future.
Moisture
Water and moisture can destroy and damage your roof. You need to regularly check your roof. If you see water accumulating on your roof, you need to identify the cause. If it is due to poor drainage issues on your roof, you have to fix the issue immediately. Do not let water accumulate on your roof.
UV Rays
The sun is warm and sunny in Miami. Unfortunately, the UV rays from the sun can reduce the lifespan of your roof. The UV rays dry out the shingles over time. It can, therefore, make your roof age faster. It is much better to replace the old roof. Do not just repair it.
What Are the Types of Roof Damage Covered by Insurance?
If your roof is damaged, you will need to contact your insurance company to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your roof. Unfortunately, homeowner’s insurance does not cover all types of roof damage. It is best to contact your insurance provider to know what your insurance covers.
Sudden and Unforeseen Roof Damage
Most insurance policies cover sudden and unforeseen roof damage, depending on the age of the roof. The purpose of the insurance is to protect your home from sudden and unforeseen damage, including hurricane damage, water damage, wind damage, storm damage, hail damage, and many more.
Vandalism
Most insurance policies cover roof damage caused by vandalism. Intruders can vandalize your roof as they try to enter your house.
However, your insurance will asses your roof before paying for roof repair or replacement. This is because some people intentionally vandalize their roofs to make quick money from insurance.
Fire Damage
Most insurance policies cover roof damage caused by fire. Roof fires cause extensive damage that is expensive to repair. If a fire damages your roof, you need to contact your insurance company immediately and a professional fire and water restoration company. The insurance can pay for the roof fire damage.
What Are the Types of Roof Damage Not Covered by Insurance?
Unfortunately, insurance does not cover some types of roof damage.
Normal Wear and Tear
Your roof will wear and tear over time. That is why your roof will deteriorate over the years. Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover normal wear and tear.
Old Roofs
The insurance company will consider the age of your roof before writing a new policy. If your roof is more than 20 years old, your insurance company will not write a new policy for your home. If you are looking for a new policy, you may need to replace your old roof first.
Poor Maintenance
Proper maintenance can reduce the risk of roof damage. If you do not properly maintain your roof, your insurance company can deny your claim. It is much better to hire a roofing contractor to perform routine maintenance. In fact, proper maintenance can extend the life of your roof.
What to Do If Your Roof Has Been Damaged?
A roof protects your home from extreme weather conditions and outside elements. Given the importance of your roof, it is important to know what steps to take following damage.
Assess the Damage
It is not easy to assess the damage on your own. We highly encourage you to hire a roofing contractor to help you assess the damage. The contractor knows what to check and they do not miss anything. Once the contractor assesses your roof, they can tell you the cost of repairing your roof.
Fix Small Issues
If there are leaks on your roof, you need to fix them immediately. The leaking water can cause more damage to your home. The water can damage the interior of your house. The contractor can fix the small issues to prevent further damage to your property.
Contact Your Insurance Company
If your roof damage is large, you need to contact your insurance company. The insurance company can cover the repair or replacement of your roof. It can take time for the insurance company to repair your roof. The insurance company can deny your claim.
So, we highly encourage you to hire a good Miami roof damage lawyer to help you seek the settlement you rightfully deserve.
Call a Roof Damage Lawyer
More and more insurance companies have become restrictive with roof coverage, and some do not even cover houses with older roofs. These restrictions can result in coverage gaps as well as claim denials.
If your insurance company has denied or is delaying your compensation, you should turn to our Miami roof damage lawyers at Klotzman Law Firm.
Hire a Reliable and Reputable Roofing Contractor to Repair Your Roof
If you decide to repair the roof immediately, you need to hire a reliable and reputable roofing contractor. Be wary of roof repair scams, especially after severe storms.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair or Replace a Roof?
In the state of Florida, the average costs for a shingle roof are between $10,000 and $20,000. Bear in mind that the expense can increase substantially depending on an array of factors like the size of your home, roofing material, etc.
There may still be some out-of-pocket costs if you are covered by homeowner’s insurance. In some cases, you may have to pay as little as $500. You get a roof inspection from a reputable roofing company and hire a Miami roof damage lawyer to protect your interests as you negotiate with the insurance adjusters.
Why Would a Roof Damage Insurance Claim Get Denied?
It is expensive to repair or replace a damaged roof. Therefore, insurance companies are more likely to deny your roof damage insurance claim. It is better to read and understand the insurance policy before signing it.
Hire a good Miami roof damage attorney to help you file your roof damage insurance claim.
Here are some reasons why would a roof damage insurance claim get denied.
Poor Maintenance
If you do not properly maintain your roof, the insurance company can deny your roof damage insurance claim. You need to hire a roofing contractor to perform routine maintenance. Proper maintenance can prevent roof damage.
Roofing Materials
It is difficult to find some roofing materials. The insurance company will check the roofing materials on your roof. If they cannot easily find the roofing materials, they can deny your claim. If you need to replace your roofing materials, you can consult your insurance company before replacing them.
Warranties
If your roof is still under warranty, then the insurance company can deny your claim. The insurance does not have to spend money to repair or replace your roof. Instead of filing a roof damage claim, you can take advantage of your existing warranty.
Age of Your Roof
The insurance can deny your roof damage claim because of the age of your roof. Insurance does not cover old roofs. It is expensive to repair old roofs. It is much better to replace. In fact, you are less likely to get an insurance policy if your roof is very old.
Ways a Roof Repair Delay Can Affect You
It is crucial to do roof repairs or roof replacements immediately. Waiting to repair or replace your roof can cost more money in the long term.
Structural Damage
Delaying to repair or replace your roof can compromise the structural integrity of your home. It is hard to detect structural damage. Roof leaks can damage your structural beams, so your roof might collapse. It is time-consuming and expensive to repair structural damage.
Reduce Your Home’s Value
Roof damage can reduce the value of your home. Prospective buyers inspect homes before purchasing. If your roof is in bad shape, you can lose prospective buyers. Some buyers might ask you to lower your asking price. If you can maintain your roofing system, you can increase the value of your home.
Water Damage
Your roof protects your family and belongings from extreme weather conditions. If you are missing some shingles, water can enter your house. The water can destroy the interior of your home and your belongings. In some cases, it is better to replace your roof to fix your leaking roof.
How Can a Miami Roof Damage Lawyer Help With Your Claim?
A roof damage lawyer can help you file your claim and negotiate the settlement with your insurance company. If you do not have a lawyer, you are less likely to get the full settlement from the insurance. Lawyers use their legal expertise, experience, and negotiation skills to ensure you get what you rightfully deserve.
Hire Klotzman Law Firm for the Best Representation!
It is time-consuming and expensive to repair or replace a damaged roof. Insurance may cover your roof damage. It is, however, challenging to get compensation from the insurance. The insurance company can even deny your roof damage insurance claim.
We highly encourage you to hire a skilled Miami roof damage lawyer to help you file your claim and guide you through the entire process. Your lawyer will not let the insurance company undervalue the damage to your roof. The lawyer will ensure you get a fair settlement.
At Klotzman Law Firm in Miami, FL, we will represent you after damage to your roof. We will make sure you are adequately compensated to make the necessary repairs to your roof. We will not let the insurance take advantage of you.
We will make sure the insurance company does not deny your claim.
Call us at 954-915-7405 to consult with our Miami roof damage attorneys.
