Home Insurance Claim Question

[DisplacedHusky]

I’m hoping we have some Roksliders who are in the Insurance industry that are willing to lend me some advice.

We had a roof leak issue with our house that happens when we get ice/snow. I had a roofing specialist come out and he said it is a bad roof design and installation (which is pretty obvious). The quote to repair everything is about $5,000.

My question is - Is it worth making a homeowners insurance claim? I think my deductible is $500. Will my rates go up? If so, how much? And, if I have another claim in the future, does that cause problems.

We have home insurance for a reason but you also hear horror stories about how companies respond to stuff like this.

If you respond, please let me know if you are an insurance adjuster or agree so I know your basis of knowledge.

Thank you in advance for the help.

 

[fwafwow]

I’m not in the business - so take this for what little it’s worth - I’m not sure that’s covered.

 

[Ross]

Prior adjuster 30 yrs. Short term roof leak, ie no rot, mold or long term water damage of more than two weeks is typically covered. The improper roof design is not covered, as that is a construction related exclusion within the policy. As to rate change after the claim. That is a question for your agent. Rates for everyone have and will be going up, due to inflation, catastrophes, etc and the homeowner product loss ratio for most companies is in the toilet. Lots of variables go into our rates, claims history and type of claim is just one of those variables.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

Prior adjuster 30 yrs. Short term roof leak, ie no rot, mold or long term water damage of more than two weeks is typically covered. The improper roof design is not covered, as that is a construction related exclusion within the policy. As to rate change after the claim. That is a question for your agent. Rates for everyone have and will be going up, due to inflation, catastrophes, etc and the homeowner product loss ratio for most companies is in the toilet. Lots of variables go into our rates, claims history and type of claim is just one of those variables.

Thank you Ross. Does even inquiring about potentially filing a claim cause any issues?

 

[Ross]

inquiring won’t affect anything. That being said if you call the company no one can assist on coverage other than a licensed adjuster. I used to see claims denied and would hear “ I simply wanted to know if it was covered”. To determine coverage, a claim physically needs to be opened and investigated. This is where an agent can assist to determine the viability of opening a claim for review and could answer whether simply investigating coverage would affect the premium. The answer used to be No, but things have changed.

 

[Happy Antelope]

One claim, possibly not, BUT if it's was a slow deterioration or been going on a while or bad install likely won't be covered anyway. If you have to make another claim in the next 5 years you will be basically black balled and end up paying 5x or 10x for a POS policy. I would up your deductible to 2,500 or 5k, no reason to pay extra for a 500 ded if you are going to pay out of pocket anyway. For a lot of people just getting a home policy period anymore is difficult. property insurance has been a loser for the insurance companies for decades now, most don't want much to do with it at all honestly.

 

[Happy Antelope]

inquiring won’t affect anything. That being said if you call the company no one can assist on coverage other than a licensed adjuster. I used to see claims denied and would hear “ I simply wanted to know if it was covered”. To determine coverage, a claim physically needs to be opened and investigated. This is where an agent can assist to determine the viability of opening a claim for review and could answer whether simply investigating coverage would affect the premium. The answer used to be No, but things have changed.

Most carriers won't answer anything without filing the claim, then you still have a zero paid claim showing up on CLUE and with how carriers are now even that's an issue. An agent can say whatever he wants, but like he said above comes down to the adjustor always.

 

[displacedtexan]

Got a picture of the bad design?