What mistakes should you avoid when making a roof insurance claim?
1. Waiting to report
Policies require prompt notice, and some limit wind and hail claims to a set period. Late claims invite disputes about which storm caused the damage.
2. Destroying the evidence
Photograph everything before tarping, cutting up a tree, or replacing damaged items. Throwing away a dented vent or a shattered skylight lens removes proof.
3. Letting the adjuster inspect alone
Quick inspections miss slopes, soft metal damage, and small sections. Be home, and have your roofer there to point out damage. See preparing for the inspection.
4. Treating the first estimate as final
First estimates often leave out required items like drip edge, starter, or steep charges. Compare it line by line with what the job needs, and supplement with documentation.
5. Misunderstanding the checks
On a replacement cost policy, the first check is not the full amount; the withheld depreciation comes after the work is done and invoiced, often within a deadline. Skipping that step leaves money on the table. See recoverable depreciation.
6. Saying too much, or too little
Guesses about roof age or how long a leak has existed end up in claim notes, so stick to facts. At the same time, report all the damage, including gutters, screens, and interior stains.
7. Signing the wrong paperwork
Never accept a deductible waiver or rebate, which is illegal in Georgia. Be wary of any contract that assigns your insurance proceeds to a contractor; Georgia now restricts those after declared disasters. Read assignment of benefits in Georgia.
8. Spending the money elsewhere
Claim payments are meant for repairs. Pocketing them complicates future claims and can create problems with your lender.