You notice a damp spot on the ceiling in your home. You climb up there and find that it really is wet. You even enter the attic to find out where it is coming from. You can't tell, but you surmise it may be the roof. It’s time to take action, and that action could be to file a home insurance claim.
The Dangers of Roof Leaks
When your roof leaks, the water travels down the beams and deep within the home. This process saturates your insulation, causing problems with drywall and even weakening the structure of your home. This is a significant problem that can be costly to fix, but it is something you can often get financial help for from your home insurance policy.
Does Your Home Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?
Roof leaks are occasionally covered under home insurance policies. It is important to check your policy to find out the exact details of what is covered and what is not. In short, if the home's leaking roof is due to storm damage, such as from hail or a windstorm, it may be covered. If it is due to a lack of maintenance and upkeep, it might not be.
How to File a Claim
The first step in the process is to call your home insurance agent. In some cases, the agent may come to your home for an inspection, but it is much more common for the agent to send a licensed roofer to inspect the damage. The inspection will help your insurance provider document the leak, the problems associated with it and the extensiveness of it. Then the agent will process the claim. The cause of the leak will help determine whether or not your provider will cover the cost of repairs.
Once approved, the insurance company can provide payment — either to a roofer or directly to you — to get the leak taken care of. In most cases, this process is fast and it can be done within a matter of days or weeks. This will allow your home to be whole again. Take a look at your home insurance policy to make sure leaking roofs are covered, or consider upgrading to a policy that offers more protection.
We’re here to help. Call Max Value Insurance Group at 866-950-6844 for more information on Miami home insurance.