What does an insurance approved roof replacement mean?
Short answer. An insurance approved roof replacement means your insurer has agreed that covered damage justifies replacing the roof and has issued an estimate and payment for it. It does not mean you must use an "insurance approved" contractor; you choose the roofer, and any properly licensed contractor can do the work. Approval also does not guarantee every needed item is in the estimate.
What approval includes
- A written estimate listing the roof components the insurer will pay for.
- The first payment, usually actual cash value minus the deductible.
- Recoverable depreciation paid later, after the work is complete, on replacement cost policies.
What approval does not mean
- No required contractor. Some insurers offer a preferred vendor program, but you are generally free to hire your own roofer. Robust Roofing explains the trade offs in its guide on using your insurer's contractor.
- No locked in price. If the roofer finds rotted decking or missing code items, a supplement adjusts the estimate.
- No warranty from the insurer. Workmanship warranties come from the roofer and product warranties from the manufacturer.
Beware of "insurance approved roofer" marketing
Insurers do not license roofers in Georgia. A contractor who says it is "approved by your insurance" may simply belong to a vendor network, or may be using the phrase to win trust. Check the roofer's licensing, insurance certificates and reviews instead. See storm chaser scams.
After approval
Compare the estimate line by line with your roofer's scope, choose materials and colors, confirm the payment process with your mortgage company if it is on the check, and schedule the installation. See how to read the estimate.