Are Roof Leaks Covered by Insurance?
There are some issues to keep in mind when you suffer roof leaks and are thinking of or have filed an insurance claim. A roof leak in and of itself does not mean that your roof is going to be covered under your insurance policy. We receive many phone calls from insureds wondering why their roof is not being paid for by the insurance company. In order for you to potentially have the insurance company pay for your roof, the roof itself has to have suffered damage due to the storm meaning that it either has suffered wind damage or was struck by a tree or other sort of debris.
The interior damages to your home are going to be covered under some insurance policies, however many of the insurance companies have added language to their policy stating in summary that to be covered for weather related damages, there needs to have been a breach in the building envelope that allowed the water to enter. Due to this language many people have had a Problem with a Roof Leak Claim. The changing policy language is one of the reasons why you may wish to engage a Alconero and Associates Public Adjusters immediately upon suffering a roof leak damage claim as we will investigate, file, compile and ultimately fight to ensure that you are properly compensated for your loss.
In the event that you have filed a claim or are thinking of filing a claim for this type of damage, we can help. As Public Insurance Adjusters we are the only type of adjusters that work exclusively for the policyholder with only their best interests in mind throughout the claim process. When you file a claim your insurance company will send out of their adjusters that is trained and paid by the insurance company, who’s best interest do you believe they have at heart? As your Florida Public Adjuster we will level the playing field and ensured that you are paid properly for your Roof Leak Insurance Claim.
Make a roof leak insurance claim
Filing a roof leak damage claim in Miami can be more complex than it first appears. There are some difficulties that can arise in the process and that can lead to a poor presentation. Any error, no matter how minor it may seem, when submitting the documentation, can have harmful consequences. From a low amount of compensation, to the total denial of the claim by the insurance company. Therefore, it is extremely important to have the advice of trained professionals.
Many people may believe that a roof leak is a minor issue, not worth too much concern. However, the consequences are far beyond what we think, especially if we do not act accordingly to solve the problem. Damage from roof leaks in Miami will surely get worse over time, so even if it is a small leak in a corner of the house, it is already an alarm signal.
We must bear in mind that we are not only talking about property damage, but also the risk it represents for the health of the inhabitants of the home. A roof leak can cause an accident if water pools and someone walking by slips or falls. Roof leak damage in Miami is also likely to cause humid conditions conducive to mold growth. This organism can represent a health risk, since when inhaled it causes respiratory problems. And, in addition, a risk that is not always considered is the possibility of fire. A leak from the roof can easily reach the electrical system or fall on an appliance, causing a short circuit that triggers the flames.
Tips for recognizing roof leaks
In order to make an insurance claim, we must first anticipate that there is a leak. This is not always immediate, as it often happens that roof leak damage in Miami goes unnoticed for a while. It could be days or weeks before we notice the leak, and that time will increase the damage to the property. Therefore, noticing leaks as early as possible helps prevent and minimize the costs of subsequent fixes.
The most obvious sign of a leak is dripping from the ceiling or along a wall. Most likely, the waterfall is intermittent and occurs especially when there are heavy rains or storms. Those are the moments where we must be most attentive, in order to identify leaks. There is also the possibility that a direct drip does not appear, but wet spots begin to form. These can go unnoticed, especially if they are in corners or remote places of the house. Many of these signs may indicate a broken pipe rather than a leak in the roof, as they are very similar in both cases.
Another way to notice roof leak damage in Miami is on the outside of the home. Check the dividing line between the wall and the ceiling for moisture or mold. If you notice any of these things, there is probably a roof leak, even if you can’t see it from the inside. Checking for missing tiles can be important, as it also represents a leak risk.
How to know if your insurance should pay you
In general, to find out if your insurance should pay for roof leak damage in Miami, you need to do two things. The first is to make a detailed reading of the insurance policy. This is to clearly identify those damages that are covered by the company and those that are excepted. The second is to confirm the origin of the water leak. It is not the same if it occurred as a result of a storm, hailstorm, vandalism or negligence of a contractor at the time of construction. Depending on the origin, the damage may or may not be covered by the insurer, so it is essential to find out this information.
Many generic policies do not cover damage caused by weather, especially in recent times. It is necessary to expressly request this type of coverage when contracting the insurance. In Alconero & Associates we know that it can be cumbersome to read an insurance policy riddled with technical language and endless clauses. Therefore, we can advise you so that our professionals do the work, and thus identify what damages from roof leaks in Miami are covered by your insurance.
Trust a Public Adjuster in Miami for your Roof Leak Insurance Claim
It is not uncommon for insurance companies to behave unethically or at least questionably. At the end of the day, these are private companies that seek to obtain the highest possible profit. That means, many times, reducing costs and therefore payments to customers. Therefore, they will seek to minimize the amounts of compensation or even deny it completely, using technicalities or complex maneuvers. That’s where your trusted public adjuster comes in.
In Alconero & Associates can help you in your Miami roof leak damage claim process in many ways. First of all, the review of the policy, as we have already mentioned, can be an important starting point. In this way, we will identify the costs that are covered by insurance. Then, one of the most important issues is to make a correct assessment of the damage. The evaluation made by the insurance company is usually incomplete and minimizes the real expenses of the repairs. Making your own is useful when making a claim, to obtain the best possible compensation. In addition, we will gather all the required documentation to present in a timely manner, so that there are no errors that delay the payment of your compensation.