Replaced roof due to hail damage last year and paid myself. Can I get reimbursed by insurance co. now.?

Question

Neighbor just had his insurance co. pay for his rood due to damage. I had mine replaced last year, but I paid out of pocket. Can I get reimbursed by my insurance agency?

Answer 1

Since you never filed a claim at the time and had an adjuster examine the damage, I suspect you'll have a tough time now.

Answer 2

Most likely not.  It is probably in your contract you must contact the company immediatly after a loss. If your roof has already been replaced they can not assess the damage that was there if you have already had it repaird. The only sure way to find out is to file a claim - but then if it is denied you have a claim on your record that may affect your rates

Answer 3

No.

Your insurance policy has language in it that your insurance company has the right to inspect the damage. Since the roof has already been replaced, they were unable to do that.

Insurance claims are not handled on an after the fact reimbursement basis.

Next time, call the insurance company first.

Answer 4

I've run across this situation much more than I would have guessed. I am amazed when people make major repairs to their home from a storm without calling their insurance company but it happens. Frankly, the majority of the people who present claims after they have repaired the damages get their claims denied.

Your policy requires that the company be able to inspect any damage you want them to pay for. It also requires that the damaged be caused by a "covered peril." The issue you have is that you probably can't prove that the roof was damaged by hail and wasn't just worn out (which isn't covered).    

You MIGHT get paid if you took pictures of the damage before the roof was torn off or re-shingled. Maybe a notarized statement from the roofer might help, but don't count on it.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Not by the agency, but possibly by the COMPANY.   You're going to have to be able to show DAMAGE, though, like photos, or old ruined shingles.

Buying a roof is normal maintenance, every so often - so you will have to prove that the entire roof was damaged.  Just the fact that you got a roof replaced, well, that won't do it by itself.