We’re Answering Your Burning Insurance Roof Replacement Questions
As an experienced San Antonio roofing company, many of the most common questions we get throughout the year have to do with completing a roof replacement through insurance. And we totally understand—planning a roof replacement is stressful, jumping through hoops for an insurance claim is confusing, and doing them both together seems like a major headache.
Luckily for homeowners, our team at Dolan Roofing & Construction is well-versed in both roof replacements and filing insurance claims—and we work hard to provide homeowners with everything they need to navigate both of these challenging processes.* So to help reduce your headaches, we’re sharing answers to some of the most common questions regarding insurance roof replacements. Let’s get started.
What’s the First Step in Completing an Insurance Roof Replacement?
The first step actually comes long before your roof is ever damaged at all—and it’s to know your policy. We always recommend that homeowners regularly review their policy, check up on their deductible, and read through the process their insurance provider expects for filing claims.
Here in San Antonio, the most frequently used insurance providers we encounter are:
- USAA
- State Farm
- Allstate
- Farmers
- Travelers
Having worked with each of these companies (and several more besides!), our team is familiar with the general expectations for what homeowners will need for a roof claim.
Should a Roofer Be Present During the Adjustment?
Yes, absolutely! We highly recommend having a roofer present when the adjuster visits your property to assess the damage.
While adjusters have experience looking for hail and storm damage, the simple fact is that they are not roofers. We’ve often had cases where insurance companies failed to account for all damages, which can make the process take longer as an insurance supplement becomes necessary (or refiling the claim, if it was denied entirely).
How Long Do I Have to File an Insurance Claim for a Roof Replacement?
Here in Texas, insurance companies generally must give homeowners up to two years from the date of the storm to file a claim. In other words, there is a time limit, and homeowners should be aware of this limitation.
However, it’s virtually never a good idea to wait so long to file a claim. Waiting a year or longer to file a claim, for instance, can make it much more difficult to establish a cause and build your case for the insurance company.
We recommend filing your claim as soon as you know your roof has been significantly damaged.
Do I Need to Use All the Insurance Money on My Roof Replacement?
Yes, any money your insurance provider approves for the roof replacement must be used on the roof replacement only. This means homeowners should not cash their initial insurance check without completing any roofing work, and homeowners should not expect to receive the full amount quoted by their provider if the roof replacement turns out to cost less.
Attempting to keep extra money from your insurance provider can have serious consequences, including:
- Losing out on depreciation and future coverage
- Fines and penalties (as this can constitute insurance fraud)
- Being dropped by your provider entirely
- Hikes on your insurance premiums
Have More Questions? Dolan Roofing & Construction Is Here to Help
Our company was founded as a storm restoration and repair contractor, and that expertise is foundational to what we do here at Dolan Roofing & Construction. Our team has expertise working with a variety of insurance providers and claims processes, and we’ll be happy to help answer questions, document damages, and guide you every step of the way.
If your roof was damaged by storms, make Dolan Roofing & Construction the first number you call! Reach out to us to book your inspection.
