By Steve Bruns
In the months when storms are abundant misfortune can tear apart your roof or it may simply misplace a few shingles. If you have the necessary coverage in the form of roofing insurance then you may just be able to claim it for repairs to damages. Therefore, what you must do is ensure that your coverage contains clauses pertaining to storm damage.
Unfortunately, many policy holders are unaware of the information printed in their policies about storm damage. Yes, every policy has certain clauses pertaining to it but to take advantage of the same, you need to understand what is written.
When you have just been hit by a storm and you suspect something wrong with the roof, it is in your best interest to call upon the expertise of a ceiling inspector. This inspection for damage may reveal a huge crack or it may not reveal anything but it is necessary to file for claims.
A common misinformation prevalent among homeowners is that if they file a claim for their policy early on then they are subject to the risk of having it cancelled or nullified. Well, this is true but if you have conducted an inspection and find repairs necessary then it is best to claim for repairs early on and save money rather than waiting for everyone else to do the same and find the rates going up. At least, by claiming early on you are paying premiums for your own repairs and not for others.
The most important thing with a roof policy are the terms and conditions. Hence, be aware of what is included in it and what is not. Most insuring companies add in clauses to exclude certain situations in order to avoid fraudulent claims and unwanted expenses. Take some time out and read through the policy, find roof related clauses and exclusions.
Most policies should completely take care of roof damage and replacement of faulty ceiling panels. However, there are certain cases where this is not applicable. For instances, damage due to wind, hail or storm is almost always covered but any damage that resulted out of the neglect of the homeowner and improper maintenance is never covered in roof policies.
The next problem area with claims on roof damage is the kind of material used. While wooden shakes look authentic, they are never covered under roof policies. Moreover, materials such as slate, stone and tile tend to get less coverage because they are mighty expensive and hard to replace. Even new age materials that reduce carbon footprint get zero coverage as insuring companies are not yet sure of their longevity and price structure.
With older roofs, insuring companies are a bit wearier since they fracture rather quickly against environmental stress. Storms or even heavy snowfall may produce cracks in old shingles, which is not something insuring companies want to continuously deal with. Thus, if you have just recently purchased a new home then take a close look at the roof; find out the materials used and how old the shingles are. Also, do not attempt to place a second layer of shingles over the older layer as this makes your roofing insurance invalid. The actual age of any roof according to insuring companies is the age of the first layer of shingles.
Unfortunately, many policy holders are unaware of the information printed in their policies about storm damage. Yes, every policy has certain clauses pertaining to it but to take advantage of the same, you need to understand what is written.
When you have just been hit by a storm and you suspect something wrong with the roof, it is in your best interest to call upon the expertise of a ceiling inspector. This inspection for damage may reveal a huge crack or it may not reveal anything but it is necessary to file for claims.
A common misinformation prevalent among homeowners is that if they file a claim for their policy early on then they are subject to the risk of having it cancelled or nullified. Well, this is true but if you have conducted an inspection and find repairs necessary then it is best to claim for repairs early on and save money rather than waiting for everyone else to do the same and find the rates going up. At least, by claiming early on you are paying premiums for your own repairs and not for others.
The most important thing with a roof policy are the terms and conditions. Hence, be aware of what is included in it and what is not. Most insuring companies add in clauses to exclude certain situations in order to avoid fraudulent claims and unwanted expenses. Take some time out and read through the policy, find roof related clauses and exclusions.
Most policies should completely take care of roof damage and replacement of faulty ceiling panels. However, there are certain cases where this is not applicable. For instances, damage due to wind, hail or storm is almost always covered but any damage that resulted out of the neglect of the homeowner and improper maintenance is never covered in roof policies.
The next problem area with claims on roof damage is the kind of material used. While wooden shakes look authentic, they are never covered under roof policies. Moreover, materials such as slate, stone and tile tend to get less coverage because they are mighty expensive and hard to replace. Even new age materials that reduce carbon footprint get zero coverage as insuring companies are not yet sure of their longevity and price structure.
With older roofs, insuring companies are a bit wearier since they fracture rather quickly against environmental stress. Storms or even heavy snowfall may produce cracks in old shingles, which is not something insuring companies want to continuously deal with. Thus, if you have just recently purchased a new home then take a close look at the roof; find out the materials used and how old the shingles are. Also, do not attempt to place a second layer of shingles over the older layer as this makes your roofing insurance invalid. The actual age of any roof according to insuring companies is the age of the first layer of shingles.
About the Author:
When you want to learn about obtaining roofing insurance, you can view recommended site for more info on roofing contractor insurance. Check out this homepage about roofing liability insurance and insurance for roofers by clicking on https://twitter.com/@