Myth: I'm not missing any shingles so I must not have damage.

Fact: Missing shingles are related to wind damage claims and can happen during a hail storm if the winds are high enough. However hail damage is insidious in nature and may not physically cause leakage for years after a hail storm.

 

Myth: I only have 1 year to file my insurance claim.

Fact: Many insurance companies do have a one year time limit and some even less, however due to the nature of hail damage they may pay claims past the deadline. This usually happens if a hail storm is widespread geographically.

 

Myth: My roof is new so it's covered by the manufacturer's warranty, home builder, or contractor.

Fact: Manufacturer's specifically name hail as an exclusion to their product warranty, so do home builders and roofing contractors. Newer roofs can actually be more susceptible to hail damage versus older roofs due to the time it takes a new roof to cure from exposure to the elements.

 

Myth: I was told my roof has minimal or very little damage and therefor I don't need to file a claim.

Fact: If your roof has any damage what-so-ever you have a valid insurance claim and should file with your insurance company. Damage might not cause your roof to leak for years. This is why it's important to have a qualified person inspect your roof.

 

Myth: My insurance company will cancel my policy if I file a claim.

Fact: Most states prohibit insurance companies from cancelling policies for filing claims arising from severe weather related events. Check with your state however and your policy language as well.

 

Myth: If I don't file my claim, my insurance company won't raise my rates.

Fact: After a disaster, insurance companies may raise every one's rates. By not filing your claim, your personal rate increase is paying for everyone else's damage except yours.

Myth: "I looked at my roof with a contractor and we didn't see any problems so we don't have any damage."
Fact: Roofing systems must be physically inspected by an experienced contractor trained in hail and wind damage to determine if there is actual hail or wind damage. Hail and wind damage is hard to spot by the untrained eye and may not physically cause leakage for years after a storm: usually after your insurance provider's limited claim period is over.

Myth: "My roof is new, so it's covered by manufacturer's warranty."
Fact: While new shingles hold up better to hail damage, all shingles can be damaged by hail. Manufacturer's exclude hail impacts from their warranty and will void the remainder of your warranty no matter how minor the hail damage was.

Myth: "My insurance company will cancel my policy or raise my rates if I file an insurance claim."
Fact: Hail and storm damage is considered an 'Act of God'. Insurance companies cannot cancel your policy for a storm related claim and they cannot single you out for a rate increase; however they typically raise everyone's rates within a zip code when large storms hit. So, whether you file a claim or not, your rates may still go up. Your specific home has no bearing on whether or not your rates will be increased.

Myth: "I don't need a contractor; my adjuster will tell me exactly what needs to be fixed on my house and I will be paid everything I am entitled to."
Fact: Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company and he/she may or may not be experienced. Typically, during larger hail storms, catastrophe adjusters come from all over the United States and may not be familiar with Minnesota's building codes and regulations. Keep in mind that your insurance company is a business and if you have one of the larger insurance providers...their profits are in the billions.

Myth: "My insurance company denied my roof so I'm out of luck."
Fact: A large percentage of insurance claims are denied. You should always have a trained contractor present to work with the adjuster...but don't worry, you're entitled to a re-inspection; however you cannot do this yourself. Your insurance provider requires a contractor to do this. Once the contractor has completed what is necessary to have a re-inspection scheduled, your insurance provider will assign a new adjuster. This is where it is important to have a contractor who specializes in insurance restoration. You will typically only be allowed one re-inspection and if the contractor representing you is not qualified or has little or no experience with adjusters, the end result will most likely not be in your favor.

Myth: "I can hire a contractor for cheaper and pocket some money from my claim."
Fact: Anyway you look at it, this is insurance fraud. In some states, insurance fraud is a felony. Your insurance company holds back depreciation and if it is recoverable, they will require a contract and final invoice for the exact amount of the insurance estimate. This means if the work completed is 5 dollars or 500 dollars less than the claim amount, that is what they will pay. Also, your insurance provider will list your mortgage company on all drafts and your mortgage company will only release money to a contractor for the exact amount of the claim. An insurance claim is not a money making opportunity for the insured.

Myth: "I can just keep the money my insurance company has given me to make repairs."
Fact: Your insurance provider has written an estimate based on the repairs that are needed to be made. If you do not make the repairs you will be committing insurance fraud, because you filed a false claim. Remember, you called them and if you don't make the repairs you have to give the money back to them. While in some cases insurance allows the actual cash value to be kept, your mortgage company will not. Your mortgage company has a vested interest in your home and will require all repairs to be made which is why they are listed on all insurance drafts.

Myth: "My deductible was taken out of my insurance estimate, so I do not have to pay anything out of pocket."
Fact: The deductible you agreed upon with your insurance provider must be paid to either your insurance provider or the contractor. If you hire a contractor for your claim amount or RCV (Replacement Cost Value) minus your deductible, the contractor will invoice your insurance provider for the less amount and in return your insurance will then deduct your deductible from the invoiced amount and you will owe the contractor the amount of your deductible.

Fact: If you hire a contractor who creates a false invoice to hide the deductible, be aware that you are committing insurance fraud, because you have knowledge of what the contractor is doing. If this contractor is willing to commit insurance fraud what else could this contractor be willing to compromise?

Fact: There are some simple and legal ways to offset your deductible. One scenario is you may be able to complete some of the small repairs yourself or by referring your neighbors, family or friends. You can use this money and apply it to your deductible.

Remember, not just any contractor will be able to handle an insurance claim . Typically, because of all the paperwork and inspections required by the mortgage company, it can take up to as much as 60 days after completion to be paid for the work. Most smaller contractors cannot financially survive performing restoration work, which can, unfortunately, leave your home sitting uncompleted while waiting on payments or draw requests.