Roofing Insurance Claims in Janesville, WI: Your Expert Guide from Rooster Roofing
Hey neighbours in Janesville, Wisconsin! It’s Josh from Rooster Roofing, your local roofing expert. Finding damage on your roof after a strong storm can be super stressful. You’re probably wondering, “Will my insurance help? How do claims even work?”.
Dealing with insurance claims can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. But don’t worry! At Rooster Roofing, we’ve got lots of experience helping homeowners like you right here in Janesville, WI, and nearby areas get their roof replacement or repairs covered.
We proudly serve Janesville, as well as our friends in Brodhead, Delavan, Edgerton, Beloit WI, Evansville WI, Milton, Monroe, Madison, Lake Geneva, and many other spots in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Whether you’re near the beautiful Lincoln-Tallman House or enjoying Riverside Park, storm damage can happen anywhere.
Our team is here to make the process easier for you. We’ll walk you through the main things you need to know about filing a roof damage claim.
Thing 1: Be Careful of Scams!
The first thing to understand about the insurance process for roof damage is that, sadly, it can attract some dishonest folks in the roofing world. Some roofing contractors might try to trick homeowners when they’re feeling desperate after a storm.
They might offer prices that seem way too cheap to be true – and they usually are!. This often leads to really poor work, cheap materials, and lots of problems later.
This doesn’t mean all roofers are bad, not at all!. Most of us want to help. But it’s common enough that you should be aware and look out for it from the start.
Thing 2: You MUST Pay Your Deductible
Listen up, this is super important! No matter what anyone tells you, you must pay your deductible if your insurance claim is approved.
Some roofing companies might offer to pay your deductible for you. This is actually illegal and is a big scam in the roofing industry, called insurance fraud. It’s tempting to save money, but it’s absolutely not worth committing fraud. NEVER work with a company that offers to pay your deductible.
Your deductible is an out-of-pocket cost you have to pay for each claim. It’s often a set amount, like £500 or £1,000, or it might be a percentage of your home’s value. The insurance company usually subtracts this amount from the final payout.
Thing 3: Your Policy Makes a Big Difference
One of the very first things you should do when thinking about filing an insurance claim is to check your homeowners insurance policy. This policy is like the rulebook – it tells you what kind of damage is covered.
Typically, homeowners insurance covers sudden and accidental damage, like that caused by wind, hail, lightning, or falling tree branches from a storm. Damage that happens over time from normal aging or wear and tear is usually not covered.
Crucially, your policy will tell you if insurance might pay for a whole new roof. There are two main types of policies when it comes to your roof:
- Actual Cash Value (ACV) Policy: This policy only pays you the value of your roof at the time it was damaged. Think of it like the value of an old car – it goes down over time because of age and wear (this is called depreciation). An ACV policy gives you a one-time payment for this lower, depreciated value. This policy will NOT cover the full cost of a new roof. You’ll have to pay the difference yourself. If you find a roofer willing to do the job for just the ACV amount, they are probably using cheap materials and unskilled labor.
- Replacement Cost Value (RCV) Policy: This policy is much better for a total roof replacement. It pays you what it actually costs today to replace your roof with a brand-new one just like your old one. You’ll usually get an initial check for the ACV first, with the rest (the “recoverable depreciation”) held back. Once the roof replacement is finished and proven to the insurance company, they send the second check to cover most or all of the remaining cost. Just remember, they only pay to replace your old roof as it was. If you want to upgrade to a different type of shingle, you’ll pay the extra cost for that upgrade yourself.
Understanding your policy (ACV vs. RCV) helps you manage your expectations about how much insurance will pay and how much you might need to budget for out-of-pocket expenses.
Thing 4: Don’t Sign Paperwork Before Approval!
After a storm hits your neighbourhood in Janesville or Beloit, you might get some knock on your door from roofing companies. Some might try to get you to sign something right away, even before they inspect your roof properly.
Don’t sign any paperwork until your roof damage claim is approved by your insurance company!.
These companies want you to sign a contract that locks you into using them before you even know if insurance will pay for anything. This isn’t acting in your best interest. A trustworthy roofer, like our team at Rooster Roofing, will give you an honest look at your roof and tell you if they think you have storm damage. If your claim gets approved, then they’ll ask for your business.
Even if you’re panicking about damage, take a deep breath and don’t sign anything prematurely.
Thing 5: The Adjuster Has the Final Say
Once you contact your insurance company about potential roof damage, they’ll likely send an insurance adjuster to your house to look at everything. Sometimes they might ask you to get a roofing contractor to do an inspection first, but no matter what, the insurance adjuster is the ONLY one who can approve your claim.
A skilled roofing contractor can inspect your roof for damage and explain to the adjuster what they found. They can even advocate for you if they strongly believe the storm damage requires a replacement. Our team has lots of experience meeting with adjusters and showing them the damage. However, even if your roofer is 100% sure you need a new roof, the insurance adjuster has the final decision.
Adjusters are human and can make mistakes, so there is always a chance your claim could be denied. If you’re confident you have storm damage, there are ways to double-check things or appeal the decision.
Thing 6: Hire a Roofer Who Knows Insurance Claims
Once your insurance claim is approved, it’s really important to choose a roofing contractor who has lots of experience working with insurance claims. They understand the whole process, know how to read the claim paperwork, and make sure the work follows the insurance company’s requirements.
Unlike getting a regular roof replacement where you might get several quotes to find the cheapest price, that’s not the goal here. Once your claim is approved, the insurance company sets the price for the approved work. Your goal is to find a reputable roofer who will do a great job, knows the insurance process, and will work with the insurance company.
Do your research to find a trusted local company in the Janesville or Monroe area that has this experience. At Rooster Roofing, helping homeowners with insurance claims is one of our specialties.
Thing 7: Estimates Often Need Supplements
Here’s another key point: The initial estimate you get from the insurance company might not cover everything needed to do the job right. They often miss certain things, or “line items,” that are necessary for a proper roof replacement or repair, like local building codes, specific labor costs, or dump fees.
To get everything covered, you’ll likely need to “supplement” your insurance claim. This means you (or, ideally, your roofer) go back to the insurance company and show them the missing items and explain why they are needed. A good roofing contractor will help you with this. We provide detailed estimates that show exactly what is needed.
Sometimes, the insurance company might push back on supplements. But if you have an RCV policy, the insurance company should pay for what a roofer needs to do the job correctly and cover things like overhead and profit. Our team is used to this part of the process and will help you fight for everything you’re entitled to.
Managing Expectations and Budgeting
Understanding the points above will help you figure out what to expect financially.
- Your policy type (ACV vs. RCV) is the biggest factor in how much the insurance company pays.
- Your deductible is always an out-of-pocket cost. Make sure the cost of the repair is significantly more than your deductible to make filing a claim worthwhile. A small repair costing less than your deductible isn’t covered, but filing the claim will still go on your record. Too many small claims can raise your rates over time.
- Supplements help get the full cost covered by insurance under an RCV policy. Be prepared for the possibility of needing supplements.
- Upgrades are extra costs you pay if you choose different materials than what was on your old roof.
- Temporary repairs: If you have immediate damage like a leak, make temporary fixes to prevent more damage, and keep the receipts – insurance should cover reasonable costs for these.
If you have unexpected costs, talk to us. Sometimes financing options are available.
Rooster Roofing Services in Janesville & Beyond
At Rooster Roofing, we’re more than just insurance claim experts. We’re a full-service roofing company dedicated to serving Janesville, WI, and the entire surrounding area. Our team handles all your roofing needs.
Commercial Roofing
Do you own a business in the bustling Janesville downtown area or perhaps out towards Highway 14? Protecting your business with a sturdy roof is crucial. Our commercial roofing services cover everything from minor repairs to full installation or replacement for businesses in Janesville, Beloit, Madison, and throughout our service area.
Residential Roofing
Your house in Janesville is your castle! Our residential roofing services are designed specifically for homeowners like you. We handle everything from simple roof repairs to complete roof replacement, ensuring your home is safe and looks great. Whether you’re in the 53545 or 53546 zip code, we’ve got you covered.
Roof Repair
Not all roof damage requires a full replacement. Sometimes a timely roof repair is all you need. We can fix leaks, replace missing shingles from wind damage, repair areas damaged by falling debris, and address other common roof problems. Our goal is to stop leaks and prevent further damage quickly.
Roofing Installation
Building a new house in Evansville or need a brand new roof for another reason? Our roofing installation services ensure your new roof is put on correctly from the start, using quality materials and following best practices.
Roof Maintenance
Want to avoid unexpected roof damage and extend the life of your roof? Regular roof maintenance is key! We offer check-ups and minor tune-ups to catch small problems before they become big, expensive ones. This is a great way to protect your investment over the years.
Roof Replacement
When damage is severe, often after a major storm with wind or hail, a full roof replacement is necessary. We specialise in guiding you through the roof replacement process, especially when an insurance claim is involved. We ensure the job is done right, from tearing off the old roof to installing the new one and cleaning up. We work with various materials like asphalt shingles, metal, and more.
Gutter Installation
Gutters are a vital part of your roofing system, directing water away from your house. Storm damage can often affect gutters too. We provide expert gutter installation services to protect your foundation and landscaping in Janesville and neighbouring towns like Edgerton and Milton.
Siding Installation
Sometimes, severe storm damage isn’t limited to just the roof. High winds and hail can damage siding too. As part of our restoration process, we can also handle siding installation and replacement, helping you keep your house protected and looking its best. Remember, sometimes if siding needs to be pulled back for roof work, it might become part of the claim.
Understanding Pricing for Your Roofing Needs
Whether you need a repair or a full replacement, several factors determine the cost. If you’re going through insurance, the insurance company sets the approved price, but it’s good to understand what goes into it.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Materials: The type of roofing materials you choose makes a big difference. Asphalt shingles are common, but metal roofing or synthetic options cost more. The quality of the materials also impacts the price and how long your roof will last.
- Roof Size: This is straightforward – a bigger roof needs more materials and takes more time and labor to replace.
- Roof Complexity: Is your roof steep? Does it have lots of valleys, dormers, or skylights? More complex roofs require more skilled labor and extra time, which adds to the cost.
- Labor Costs: This includes the cost of the skilled crew who do the hard work of tearing off the old roof, installing the new one, and ensuring everything is done correctly.
- Other Costs: Don’t forget about things like getting permits (if needed), dump fees for disposing of old materials, cleaning up the site thoroughly, and the company’s overhead (like running the office and paying employees). These should ideally be included in the insurance estimate and supplements.
Our team will provide a detailed estimate so you understand exactly what the job entails and what the costs are.
Why Choose Rooster Roofing for Your Janesville Home?
Choosing the right roofing contractor is critical, especially when navigating an insurance claim. You need a company you can trust to do a great job on your roof and help you through the tricky insurance process.
At Rooster Roofing, we are local to the Janesville area, we understand the types of storms and damage common here in Wisconsin, and we have extensive experience working with insurance claims. We know the process inside and out, including how to read your claim and handle supplements to help you get the most out of your insurance coverage.
We are committed to protecting your best interests and making the claim process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Our team provides quality work and clear communication every step of the way. We’re not just building roofs; we’re building trust in the Janesville community.
Ready to Handle Your Roof Damage Claim?
Finding roof damage after a storm is tough, but dealing with the insurance doesn’t have to be. The first step is always to contact your insurance company to start the claim process.
But before or after you do that, get a professional inspection from a roofer you can count on. If you’re in Janesville, WI, or any of the surrounding area like Monroe, Delavan, or Lake Geneva, give Rooster Roofing a call.
We’ll inspect your roof for damage, help you understand your options, and, if you need to file a claim, we’ll be your partner every step of the way. Our goal is to ensure you get the great job you deserve and your roofing needs are met.
Don’t let the claims process overwhelm you. Call Rooster Roofing today!
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