The Florida roof damage claim lawyers at the Shochet Law Group may be able to help you if your roof damage claim has been denied or if your roof damage claim has been underpaid. After a hurricane, many homeowners or property owners may find that their roof was damaged in the storm. Sometimes the storm doesn’t even have to be as severe as a hurricane to cause significant roof damage. Hail, tornadoes, or other weather events can also cause roof damage. If you believe your roof damage settlement isn’t enough to cover the costs of repairs, or if you believe your roof damage claim was wrongfully denied, the Florida roof damage claim lawyers at the Shochet Law Group may be able to help you.
Roof damage claims in Florida can actually be complex because they may involve multiple claims at once. For example, if your roof was damaged and rain got into your home, also causing water damage, your roof damage claim may also involve a water damage claim. If your roof was damaged in a hurricane, your roof damage claim may be part of a hurricane damage claim that might include other damages to your home.
If your roof has been damaged and you need to make a claim, it is important to keep some things in mind. First, you may need to take steps to prevent further damage to your home. This doesn’t mean you should sign a contract with a roofer before your roof damage claim is approved by your insurance adjuster, but it may mean that you might have to put up a tarp to prevent water from getting into your home and causing further damage. In the aftermath of a hurricane, dishonest companies sometimes try to get homeowners to sign a roofing contract before an insurance adjuster has had a chance to assess the damage. You should never start making repairs until an insurance adjuster has had a chance to assess the damages. For one, if you sign a contract with a roofer and the insurance company disagrees with the value of the company’s assessment, you could end up on the hook for paying the gap. Secondly, if a roofer makes repairs before an adjuster can see the damage, the insurance company can claim that you didn’t provide sufficient information or documentation to support your claim and may deny your claim outright.
If your roof has been damaged, do put up a tarp or take steps to protect your home. Do let your insurance company know your home has suffered damage. And do reach out to a reputable contractor to estimate the cost of repairing your roof. Submit this information to your insurance company and keep a record of all correspondence and information you provide. If, after you have gone through this process, your contractors and insurance adjusters cannot agree on the value of repairs, or if you believe your roof insurance claim has been denied wrongfully, you may want to reach out to the roof damage claim denial attorneys in Florida at the Shochet Law Group. Our attorneys can review your losses, review your insurance policy, and negotiate with adjusters to help you get the settlement you may deserve under the law.
Reasons Why Roof Damage Claims Get Denied in Florida
There are several reasons why your Florida roof damage claim might get denied after a hurricane or storm. Some homeowner’s insurance policy holders may not always be able to tell the difference between a legitimately denied claim and one denied in bad faith. Here are some reasons why roof damage claims get denied:
- If the cost to repair your roof is lower than your deductible, you’ll have to pay for the repairs out of pocket. If your claim has been denied or if the payout is lower than expected, checking your deductible might be a good first place to start. Yet, sometimes insurance adjusters may underestimate the value of repairs. If this is the case, a denied roof damage claim attorney in Florida at the Shochet Law Group may be able to help.
- Damage Type. Different types of damage may have different deductibles. If your roof was damaged by hail you may have one deductible as opposed to if your roof was damaged by wind. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference because in a hurricane a roof can be damaged by both wind and hail.
- Some types of damage may not be included in your policy or you may need to purchase additional coverage to have it covered. Some types of damage not typically covered is damage due to volcano or flooding.
- Wear and Tear. If it’s time to repair your roof and you’re trying to get your insurance company to pay, you may be out of luck. Your insurance company won’t pay for regular home maintenance. Insurance adjusters may also take into account how old your roof is when estimating the value of your claim.
These are just some situations where a roof damage claim may be denied, but sometimes roof damage claims may be underpaid for other reasons. For example, if wind or hail damage severely reduced the lifespan of your roof or if your roof was already old and ready to be replaced and then suffered damage, this could potentially impact your insurance claim. When it comes to roof damage claims in Florida, most insurance policies will only pay actual cash value of the roof, which means that they will take into account depreciation to your roof. Another thing to keep in mind is that when the time comes to repair your roof, you may opt for better materials to increase the lifespan of your roof. If you choose to do this, you may have to pay for this portion out of pocket because insurance only covers replacement value. Yet, determining a fair and accurate value for your roof, including actual cash value can be challenging. And if materials have changed or standards for roofing have changed, this can further complicate your claim. This is why many people may hire a Florida roof damage claim lawyer at the Shochet Law Group to help them understand their rights and the limitations of their policy, and to fight to help them get the best possible settlement under the law.
Roof Damage Claims Can Be Complicated
Roof damage claims can be complicated. You are entitled to receive a settlement that covers the value of your repairs in accordance with your insurance policy. Understanding your insurance policy and its limitations is incredibly important as is understanding the value of repairs. Things like how old your roof is, how many years of service may have been lost due to damage, deductibles, and other factors can impact your claim.
Sound complicated? It is. This is why many people may hire the Florida roof damage claim lawyers at the Shochet Law Group to help them navigate the claim process. Getting a fair claim can mean the difference of thousands of dollars being paid out of your pocket. Remember that insurance companies may have their own interests in mind. You need to provide your adjuster with all the information he or she needs to give you the best possible settlement. The Shochet Law Group is a roof damage claim lawyer in Florida that can help you gather documentation, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and fight to help you get the best possible settlement permitted under the law.