Schulte Roofing has handled thousands of homeowners' insurance claims for roof damage. Each roof and each claim situation is indeed different. Rest assured that your claim will be competently examined and handled by our representatives no matter who insures your residence. Our knowledgeable staff will be glad to help you with your claim and explain any questions regarding its handling.

If you have already reported the claim to your insurance company, contact us for a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim. Insurance companies typically obtain replacement cost by multiplying the fair market value of homes in your area by the amount of roofing you have to replace. Below are some common questions consumers have about insurance claims. If these do not cover your questions, please contact us for further assistance.

Insurance FAQ's:

Will my insurance company pay for my roof to be replaced?

Yes, if the damage is a covered peril under your homeowners' policy, such as acts of nature like wind or hail and if the damage is assessed to sufficiently have caused damage that repairs only are not feasible.

Does it matter as to the age of my roof?

Not as far as determining whether the damage will be a covered loss. It does affect how much the insurance company will pay if you have actual cash value (ACV) coverage on your insured building as opposed to replacement cost coverage on that building.

How much will I have to pay out-of-pocket?

This depends on the deductible you have selected as well as whether you have replacement cost coverage or an actual cash value coverage on your policy. If you have replacement cost coverage, your total cost would only be the amount of your deductible. If you have actual cash value (ACV) coverage, the insurance company will subtract your deductible from the total repair or replacement cost amount as well as a portion to cover the depreciation on the roof. Depending on the age of the roof, with an ACV policy you could end up owing approximately 50% of the amount needed to replace the roof.

If I get bids lower than what my insurance company paid, can I keep the difference?

Mostly likely you will not be able to although it can depend on how payments were issued. Some insurance companies will pay the entire lump sum at one time. Most companies no longer pay in this fashion. They will issue a check for the completion of certain items on the estimate and then require that the balance of the work be completed and an inspection by a claims representative accomplished before they will release a final payment for the total claim. If any amount is withheld pending final completion, the final bill and payment will be determined by the actual invoiced amount and not just the original estimated amount. As an example, insurance company A says it will allow $3,000 to replace your roof. With a deductible of $500, you will receive $2,500 if the final job did cost $3,000. If the final invoice was for $2,700, you would be paid $2,200 with a deductible of $500. An insurance company only owes the actual amount of the repairs typically without exceeding the original adjusted amount unless additional damage was discovered that was not included on the original insurance estimate. If the additional damage was inspected and approved for repair by the insurance company representative, the amount you receive could exceed the amount of the original estimate. Quality roofing companies know what to do if additional damage is discovered and will work with your insurance company to ensure that you are properly reimbursed for damage resulting from a covered peril.

Will I get the same quality as I have now?

Under most circumstances, the same grade and quality of materials that were a part of the original roof will be used in the repair or replacement process.

Can I get request to get an upgrade on the materials being used?

That is always an alternative as long as you understand that any increase in grade or quality of materials that increases the price above what was comparable for the originally-existing roof will be your responsibility. This is actually a great time to consider upgrades since the insurance company is still going to absorb the bulk of the cost, which is primarily for the labor costs. If you suffer a subsequent covered loss on the new roof, you will be paid for what it takes to repair or replace that roof and its higher-grade materials. Sometimes a higher or better quality of roof is less expensive to replace and can possible contribute to a lower premium for the same type of insurance coverage. It is certainly something to investigate and consider!