Your Guide to the Insurance Claim Process
We know that filing an insurance claim on your home can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you through what to expect from the moment we sign our agreement to the day your roof is complete. Every claim is a little different, but the general process is the same - here's how it works.
Step by step, start to finish
Five clear stages take you from your first free inspection to a coverage decision in writing.
We Inspect Your Property and Review Your Policy
Before we recommend filing a claim, we conduct a FREE full inspection of your roof and property and review your insurance policy together. The policy tells us what your carrier is obligated to cover and helps us know what to expect.
We Sign a Contingency Agreement
This agreement allows us to represent you to your insurance carrier as your contractor. It's contingent on the carrier covering your loss - if your claim is denied entirely, the agreement releases without obligation.
We File the Claim Together
We help you file the claim with your carrier. You'll get a claim number, and the carrier will assign an adjuster to inspect your property.
We Meet the Adjuster at the Inspection
When the adjuster comes out, we're there. Walking the roof alongside them gives your claim the best chance of capturing the full scope of damage the first time.
The Carrier Issues a Coverage Decision
Within a few weeks of the inspection, the carrier will send their decision in writing. Send everything you receive from them to us immediately, and don't deposit any checks or sign anything until we've reviewed it together.
It depends on the decision
Coverage decisions generally fall into one of four outcomes. Here's what each means for you.
Full Approval
The carrier approves the roof replacement at a workable price. We move forward with the work using the initial payment from your carrier plus your deductible, and we file a final supplement after the work is complete to recover the remaining funds.
Partial Approval
The carrier covers part of what's needed but leaves some scope out - for example, approving the roof but excluding interior damage, or authorizing a partial repair when a full replacement is warranted. We address the gap with the carrier and explore options together if the disagreement continues.
Tight Pricing
The carrier's approval is a great step forward, though the pricing they've set makes the project's margins tight. We're performing a detailed cost analysis now and will sit down with you to review our options before we start.
Full Denial
The carrier denies the claim entirely. Our internal team reviews the denial in detail to determine whether it's supportable. If we believe the denial is improper, we can coordinate a referral to an experienced property insurance attorney.
A few things to note
How Your Carrier Pays a Claim
When a claim is approved, the carrier typically pays in two parts. The total of these two payments, minus your deductible, represents your claim settlement.
What You Owe
On an approved claim, there are a few amounts you may be responsible for out of pocket:
- Your deductible
The amount your policy sets for you to pay before insurance coverage applies. We collect this before scheduling the work.
- Non-Recoverable Depreciation
In some cases, the carrier will not release a portion of the depreciation even after the work is complete - for example, on older roofs or certain accessories. This is set by your policy, and we'll review whether it applies to your claim.
- Upgrades
If you choose materials, colors, or features that go beyond what the carrier approved, the difference is paid out of pocket. We'll always confirm upgrade selections and pricing with you in writing before any work begins.
About Supplements
After we complete your roof, we handle filing a supplement with your carrier. A supplement is a follow-up request for any additional items discovered during the work - for example, wood replacement, decking repairs, or building code upgrades that weren't in the original estimate. Supplements often result in additional payment from the carrier. Per the contingency and contracting agreements you sign with us, those additional supplement payments are made to Orange Contracting and Roofing as the contractor performing the work.
If Your Mortgage Company Is Involved
If you have a mortgage, your carrier may include your mortgage company on the claim check. This is normal. The mortgage company must endorse the check before the funds can be used for the work. We'll walk you through that process - it typically takes a few weeks.
Our Commitment to You
Our job is to make this process as straightforward as possible. We'll keep you informed at every step, attend every inspection, and advocate for the full scope of work your home needs. If you ever have questions, call us - we're here to help.
Ready to start? It begins with a free inspection.
No obligation, no pressure - just an honest assessment and a clear path forward.
Orange Contracting and Roofing · CRC1336049 · CCC1337502 · [email protected]