It doesn’t matter if your roof is old. Sudden damage can still happen during Florida’s relentless storms. Even still, wear-and-tear is a common cause for insurance claim denials and underpayments. This guide will show you how to distinguish sudden roof damage from wear-and-tear damage so you can get what you are owed.
Facing denials or lowball offers for your roof claim? Call Altieri Insurance Consultants Ocala today!
What Does “Wear and Tear” Mean In Florida Property Insurance
The term “wear-and-tear” is basically the process of materials just getting older. The term gets thrown around a lot to the point where it may be abused by some insurers leading to a claim denial or significant payment reduction. All roofs deteriorate to varying degrees; however, this natural process does not mean the roof has lost its useful life and it should not be the reason for denial if high winds or other covered forces cause damage.
As stated, roofs do deteriorate, don’t get us wrong. But when the environment causes damage which is covered by the policy, regardless of that roof’s prior condition, the policy is required to respond in a positive way to its insured.
The age of your roof shouldn’t be taken as definitive proof of wear-and-tear damage. Different materials are more durable than others, therefore they degrade at different rates of speed. That is the plain science of it.
Roofs are subject to a myriad of conditions. They can cave in due to high winds, heavy rain buildup, and direct impact from flying debris, or large trees falling over. Depending on the type of materials on a roof, like metal panels, asphalt shingles, or concrete tiles, they can be displaced, damaged, lifted, cracked, bent, or completely torn off due to extreme weather.
Public adjusters in Ocala specialize in handling severe weather and hurricane damage claims to give property owners a third-party assessment of sudden damage to older roofing.
I Have a Roof Damage Policy. Why Was My Claim Denied?
Roof claims in Ocala can be denied or underpaid for a handful of reasons:
- Roof damage can be interpreted by an insurer to be purely “cosmetic” with no functional injury.
- The roof only went through a cursory inspection where less noticeable damage is not discovered.
- Insurers are only willing to pay for the damaged portion of the materials and leave the rest without consideration for matching materials
- Not enough damage to exceed your high wind deductible
- No interior water damage to support your roof damage
| What Is Florida’s “Matching” Statute?
Florida’s property law states that your insurance company must compensate for the cost of a full roof replacement for matching materials rather than just a patch job under certain conditions. Be sure your policy does not eliminate the matching requirement. |
Roof Claim Wrongfully Denied? Don’t Sit Back. Here’s What You Do:
1. Contact a reputable public adjuster in Ocala for a third-party roof inspection.
2. Get a thorough review of your roof insurance policy and your roof to uncover any subtle damage.
3. Gather proof of your roof’s sudden damage, including reports of weather data and storm notices in your area.
The key to getting a fair settlement for your roof damage in Ocala is to consult a trusted public adjuster in the area to review all the damage and documentation. These professionals know how to gather all of the information needed for greater leverage in negotiations if covered damage is truly present.
Learn more > Insurance Claim Denied in Tampa? 4 Steps to Fight Back
Don’t Settle For An Undervalued Roof Settlement. Reach Out to Altieri Insurance Consultants Ocala!
Your insurance policy should protect you when disaster strikes, not cause more headaches. When your roof is damaged, reach out to Altieri Insurance Consultants Ocala at (813) 247-4757 for a team of public adjusters dedicated to helping you get your life back!
We are the partner property owners rely on. Read our success stories to see how we’ve helped people in your area!
