So we recently found out that we are in need of a new roof. We have water leaking in one spot in our living room when we get heavy rain so we called some roofers. Turns out there's multiple issues, not just in the one spot. We file our insurance claim, 3rd party comes out, takes pictures with a drone. Our insurance receives pictures, reviews, says damage is not caused by wind/hail and is denied. He did take some pictures in our living room, but didn't actually go into the attic if that matters at all.
Speaking with him over the phone, he says he seeS a few spots that are likely wind damage, but not enough to meet our deductible of $2560, and that the shingles are 3 ply and they would surely see creases if it was wind damage. I asked to have the pictures sent over but he said he was unable to, would have to ask his manager and I said I would reach out to the third party company.
Haven't heard back on the pictures yet. Meanwhile I finally received the denial letter which I can't access online if I log in, nor was it sent via email. Now that I've received it, I see that there's no actual breakdown of what would have and wouldn't have been covered, just the statement that the determined damages are below our deductible.
Is all of this pretty normal? My dad was a roofer for 40 years and is livid that they denied it without even stepping foot on our roof, and that if the inspector found anything he thought could be otherwise he should've inspected further by going up and actually touching and getting pictures. Some of the people he worked with recently (dad retired about 2? years ago) had the same opinion.
It just drives me nuts that they can say no and not list anything out for us or give us any of the pictures etc. If it should really be denied why can't we have these pictures and have it spelled out, why so restrictive? I know part of this is me being frustrated at a 10-15k expense, but it just feels like awful service and so incredibly hands off not my problem.
Is this normal to have such little information on a denial of coverage? (home insurance for roof)
byu/Gcleff06 inInsurance
Posted by Gcleff06
4 Comments
You don’t maintain your roof, you had a leak. This is wear and tear. Not an occurrence that triggers coverage.
For this to be covered the damage would need to be caused by a named peril (ex: wind, hail). Your leaks just sound like it’s because your roof is old and needs to be replaced. This is part of being a homeowner. Home insurance doesn’t cover wear and tear.
If your roof had sustained damage in a storm due to wind or hail and then started leaking this would be a covered loss. Doesn’t sound like this happened.
Sounds like it’s just old and needs to be replaced.
Insurance isn’t a home warranty. They are not the same thing.
In California you are entitled to the photos and reports by state regulation. This has been repeatedly announced by the California Department of Insurance.
Unfortunately in other states the insurance companies don’t have the same rule and frequently hide photographs and reports especially if they are favorable to the insured.
The insurance company inspector may be 100% correct there’s only minor wind damage and it’s below your deductible. But if that’s true, and it very well might be, why not show the evidence?
It’s amazing to me that anyone would think it’s appropriate or reasonable to make a decision supposedly based on evidence and at the same time hide the evidence. I just don’t understand how anyone can think that’s a ethical business practice or justifiable. Especially when a lawsuit has not been filed or contemplated.
Let’s let’s just be real about it, I know people are used to it and think it’s a normal business practice but there’s no other way to describe it other than sleazy.
I have no idea if some covered events cause that damage, although it doesn’t sound like it. You are of course free to hire somebody to inspect your roof and take as many pictures as you like. You don’t need to rely on the inspector hired by the insurance company.
You made a claim, the carrier investigated, and they told you the results of the investigation. You can conduct your own investigation on your own dime and if it shows the carrier was incorrect, then you have grounds and evidence to dispute the carrier’s findings.
They explained to you what they did and what they found. They don’t need to turn over their investigatory files to you.