What Landlords Need To Know About Roof Insurance Claims

Keeping the roof on a rental property in good shape is an essential part of making a rental home attractive to renters and profitable to its owner, says SCUDO Management. Roof problems are among landlords’ worst problems because roof issues are often not isolated to the roof.

Fixing a roof costs a lot of money; you can expect to spend up to $400 on minor roof problems. But more often, the cost of resolving issues with the roof is between $1,500 and $7,000. If you are thinking of roof replacement, you are looking at expenses of well over $8,000.

Most landlords expect the cost of roof repairs to come from their insurance since the standard landlords’ insurance policy covers roof damage. But does this mean you can make claims for all kinds of damage to the roof of your rental?

The answer is no. Typically landlords’ insurance policy will only cover accidental roof damage; it did not happen gradually over time. Roof damage from gradual wear or neglect is not covered, but it will cover roof damage from a storm.

Filing an insurance claim for roof damage

If you think the issue with your roof qualifies for coverage under your insurance policy, the next step is to file a claim. What are the steps for submitting an insurance claim for roof damage?

1. Inspect the roof of your property

Get your roofing expert to inspect the damage and verify that it is due to an accident. Accidental roof damage can result from a storm ripping out the entire roof or part of it. It could also be due to a tree falling on the roof.

The best practice is to always check your roof after exposure to weather conditions that can damage it. The process does not have to cost you. There are roofing companies that will inspect your roof for free and give you an estimate for the repairs.

2. Document any visible damage

The sooner you find and document any damage to your roof, the bigger the chances of succeeding with your insurance claim. When inspecting the roof, ask that the inspectors take photos and videos of the roof. Whether the roof is damaged or not, you should do this to create a visual history of the property’s roof.

A regular roof inspection is a must if you want to make the evidence clear and compelling. Avoid waiting until there is a storm before you inspect the roof of your rental property. Besides your routine property inspections, we recommend you to schedule roof inspections at regular intervals throughout the year to have a baseline to compare with when you eventually have roof damage.

3. Inform your insurance agent and file the claim

After gathering your proof, contact your insurance agent to inform them of your intentions to file a claim. The agent will walk you through the steps for submitting a claim. Most insurance companies require the same information, but specific aspects of the process will vary depending on the insurer.

The insurance agent will also want to evaluate the situation to determine if it makes sense to file a claim. For instance, if your deductible is almost the same as the restoration cost, the agent may advise you against filing a claim. But your insurance agent can only recommend; the final decision still rests with you.

4. Meet with the insurance adjuster

After you send the documents to your provider, the insurance company adjuster will contact you to schedule a visit to your property. The visit aims to conduct an in-depth inspection of the roof to see if the actual cause of damage agrees with the evidence you submitted in your claim.

It is advisable to have your roof contractor present during this inspection. Your roof contractor knows the history of your roof and is in a position to deal with any questions or objections the insurance adjuster might raise. With the roofing contractor on site, the chances of success are higher.

Do not commence roof repairs until you complete this aspect of the claim. You should leave the damaged roof in its original condition – undisturbed – to give the adjuster an accurate view of the event that caused the damage. Tampering with the roof may result in a denied claim.

5. Approval and roof repair

If your claim is approved, the company will inform you and send you multiple checks to cover the cost of restoring the roof. Note that the funds will not be available immediately, and you may have to pay for repairs out of pocket and then wait for reimbursement by your insurer.

Finally, depending on the details of your insurance policy, you will get one of the following payouts:

A cash value payout: The cost of the roof will be depreciated, which means you will not get enough money to buy a new roof.
Replacement value payout: The cost of the roof will not be depreciated, meaning you will get enough money to buy a new roof.

Royal Roofing

305 Pine Street suite a, Pleasant Hill

         Posted on Google  
   
   Michelle Herman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  We recently had our roof replaced by Royal Roofing and Solar, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. Our sales representative, Ryan Wattenburger, was fantastic to work with. He listened to what we wanted instead of trying to upsell us, and that meant a lot.

On installation day, Tim, the project manager, and Mariano, the crew leader, arrived bright and early and got right to work. The crew did an excellent job on the roof and on installing our skylight. They were efficient, professional, and made sure everything was cleaned up before they left.

Tim stayed afterward to walk me through the completed work, including the details of the skylight installation. He made sure I understood everything and that I was completely satisfied before he left.

I’m very glad we chose Royal Roofing and Solar for this project. They delivered great service from start to finish, and we are extremely pleased with the results.
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Eric Bethurem 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I called Royal Roofing on a Sunday morning, by noon sameday Mike Jones was onsite discussing roofing issues.  We were desperately in need of a roof due to a previous contractor's bad job that left several leaks and destroyed the interior of the house. Mike assured us he could get it done ASAP, two days later we were 80% complete and the 3rd day was a 100% complete. Tim Newton project manager was onsite the whole time ensuring everything was completed fast and efficiently while keeping us at ease due to incoming rain.  Want to thank Mike, Tim and the crew for helping us sleep easier and ensuring our property was protected.
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   mark zarda 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  In December they inspected my roof and my insurance denied my claim. In June I filed another claim and was approved my sales rep was Brayden and my project manager was Tim and they came out to the house and went over everything with me and submitted it to my insurance company, and this morning they showed up and a little after noon I have a new roof with gutters coming next week. Great company to do business with and I highly recommend them for your roofing needs.
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Melessia 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Tim Newton was amazing!  He came to our house on a warranty call within 24 hours of my initial contact.  After thorough inspection and analysis of my concern, he resolved the issue to my satisfaction.  I would 100 percent recommend Royal Roofing and Solar of Pleasant Hill, MO.
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Chaz Wolfe 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I have done my solar and roofing with Royal and the team has always been awesome. Just had them come out for a repair on a property and it was fast and easy!
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Sami Teegarden 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  We had a great experience working with this company. Mike and his team were down to Earth, honest, and very easy to work with from start to finish. They got our broken skylight repaired quickly and did quality work at a fair price. We really appreciated their professionalism and would definitely recommend them to anyone needing home repairs.
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Peasant Anonymous 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  I strongly recommend this company and its team. I live in Trenton, Missouri, so if you are in the area, definitely call them up!

Joe Marquez was completely honest and straightforward with us. He sat down and took the time to figure out a plan to save the neglected roof on our home, which we have owned for less than a year and desperately needed fixed. He gave us a transparent bid with no hidden costs. When an unexpected issue came up, Royal actually absorbed the extra expense. Joe notified us that they couldn't hang traditional gutters because certain sections of the house needed to be replaced, which would have been incredibly costly.

Instead of pushing expensive structural repairs, he upgraded us to a more expensive style of hanging gutters (a $500 to $600 value) at no extra charge. They did everything in their power to honor the original contract.

I also have to commend Tim Newton and his crew, who completed the installation. They were highly professional and solved several issues on the spot. They cut out existing water damage and reinforced two additional rafters protecting our home without adding a single penny to our bill.
They completed the entire job in just one day. The new roof looks beautiful, and they were quite literally a Godsend. I will absolutely be using them for siding and windows when the time comes. If you want a company that actually takes care of you, hire them!
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Michael Potchad 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Had a leak in my roof.  Ryan Simms came out, gave me honest feedback, didn’t try to sell me anything or do anything not needed.  He is awesome and will do business with him and Royal in the future.  Thanks!
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Elizabeth Manivong 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Mike and his team at Royal Roofing did an amazing job replacing our roof after the hailstorm this past March. From start to finish, the entire process was smooth and stress-free. They met with our insurance adjuster, explained all of the insurance details in a way that was easy to understand, coordinated the material delivery, completed the installation professionally, and were there through the final inspection.

The communication throughout the project was outstanding. Someone from the team was always available to answer our questions and make sure everything stayed on track. The crew was professional, efficient, and did an excellent job cleaning up when the work was finished.

If you’re looking for a roofing company that is honest, knowledgeable, and truly cares about its customers, I highly recommend Mike and his team. We couldn’t be happier with the results!
  
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Brad Brenner 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  Ryan and the team at Royal Roofing did an outstanding job replacing the roofs on my 93-year-old mother's home and her adjoining neighbor's home after hail damage.

From the beginning, Ryan was organized, responsive, and easy to work with. At my mother's request, he coordinated everything directly with me while also working seamlessly with both homeowners, the HOA, and the insurance process. Even though I live more than 1,000 miles away, I always felt informed and confident that every detail was being handled professionally. Communication was excellent, and the project moved smoothly from start to finish.

His pricing was fair, his recommendations were practical, and there was never any pressure. Since one home had significantly more insurance coverage than the other, Ryan did an excellent job helping each homeowner understand what was covered, what wasn't, and how to keep costs reasonable. He was always mindful of my mother's budget and helped her make sensible decisions without ever feeling pressured.

What impressed me most was how stress-free Ryan made the entire project. He was wonderful with my elderly mother, taking the worry out of what could have been a difficult experience, while also giving me complete confidence that everything was being handled properly from over 1,000 miles away. The work was completed on schedule, the cleanup was excellent, and he even made sure the outdoor furniture and grill were returned exactly where they belonged before considering the job complete.

Ryan Simms is a true professional—organized, dependable, and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend Ryan and Royal Roofing without hesitation.
  
 
 
  
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