The neighborhood is alive with the sound of…hammers.

Thanks to a severe hail storm, our neighborhood is overrun with roofers working in 100+ degree heat to replace damaged roofs. Roofs are being replaced on the houses on both sides of, and in front and in back of, my house.

Guess whose roof is not being replaced? Mine.

Our insurance adjuster believes that our house was miraculously spared in the storm and our roof doesn’t need to be replaced. Perhaps it’s the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Francis of Assisi statues in our garden.

Or perhaps, as my husband and I believe, you need to actually get on the roof to make a proper assessment. Yes, the adjuster would not get on the roof.

Needless to say, my husband and I are not going to let this go without a fight.

While we are both lawyers, we’re not headed to court…yet. Here is our strategy:

Keep good records

Our insurance adjuster won’t get on the roof? Okay, but we found plenty of reputable roofing companies who were willing to go on our roof, photograph the damage, and give their assessment.

If you find your insurance company refuses to pay a claim, be sure to document the damage.

While we are on the subject of documentation, it’s also a good idea to take pictures and videos of your house (inside and out) BEFORE your house is damaged. Keep those pictures and videos in a safe place outside of your house.

Finally, when you are talking to your insurance company, be sure to keep a detailed record of whom you talked to and what was discussed. In fact, do what my husband and I do, ask them to put all correspondence in writing or email.

Read your policy and know your rights

Remember that big book the insurance company sent you after you purchased the policy? Be sure to read the policy very carefully so you know what is (and isn’t) covered, and how quickly you must submit a claim. If you are having difficulty understanding the policy, give your agent a call.

Be polite…but persistent

As you work with your insurance adjuster, be polite and patient, but be persistent. You’re not the only person protesting a denial of a claim. Document all communication, and follow-up frequently.

Contact your state insurance regulator

If you are not making any headway with the insurance company, contact your state insurance regulator and see if they can help you move the process forward.

Leave a comment or send me an e-mail.

Copyright © 2018 by Siobhán Fitzpatrick Kratovil. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

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