View Full Version : Need advice on claiming on Homeowners insurance.
DocMedic
06-13-2018, 21:29
I'm currently TDY and I will not be back to Colorado Springs till sometime next month, but after the hail storm I had a family member look at my house. What I was told my awning in my backyard got trashed (made of plastic material?) and both my sheds received damage. They were not able to asses my roof but I'll probably have to get it looked at anyways since it was a newer roof (2015)
My question is where do I start? I have never had to deal with a insurance company before. I'm covered for 10% of my dwelling coverage for "Other structures". I'm assuming this will cover the damages to the shed and awning? The sheds where pretty old and beat up, but I was able to use them, how much damage do they need to be for the insurance company writes of a check and I can go replace them? Would I have to pay my "wind & hail" policy deductible first before they will write a check and will I have to pay it for each shed and awning?
Any feedback would be great, thanks.
Homeowner insurance is USAA.
GilpinGuy
06-13-2018, 21:38
Irving in 3, 2, 1......
Call USAA and file a claim. If it's as bad as I heard, and it shredded your awning, you'll likely have roof damage. As a side note, it doesn't matter how old a roof is, if the hail is quarter sized or larger, at least have someone look at it. Often times your agent will have a roofer they like and send them out to give you their opinion on damage before you actually file a claim. Yes you have to pay the wind/hail deductible, but only once for the whole claim. Insurance will cut a check for the Actual Cash Value of the entire claim, then once the work is done they'll pay the remaining amount to get you to full replacement cost. Insurance pays the claim minus your deductible.
Using fake numbers it should go something like this:
10 year-old roof with a shingle rated for 20 years. The roof is depreciated by 50%.
Deductible is $1,000.
Each shed costs $900 and you have full replacement cost (RCV) on your policy.
Estimate says house roof is $10,000
Sheds are $1,800.
First check is made out to both you and your insurance company. The amount is $4,900.
$5,000 - $1,000 deductible under dwelling coverage.
$900 under Coverage B (other structures)
Your contractor replaces your roof and notifies your insurance company.
Your company sends a check for the remaining $5,900 to your contractor.
Your mortgage company holds the money from the first check until the repairs are made, then releases the money to you so you can pay your contractor.
If your contractor isn't buying you new sheds, then you keep all the shed money.
This is just a simple explanation of how a claim usually goes to set some expectations for you. It can be more complex, and don't freak out if it doesn't exactly follow my basic example.
The roof contractors know they have to do the job before they get money, so try not to give in to pressure to pay them much, if anything upfront. USAA will take care of you and be glad to walk you through everything. Good luck.
DocMedic
06-13-2018, 21:51
Thanks Irving that was helpful, I just have one more question regarding the sheds with above scenario. Say I want to replace both sheds with a nicer large One shed that cost $3k, will it be covered by my home insurance?
Insurance always covers you for what you have now. So if you have a shed that was worth $900, that's what you'll get a check for. Whether you decide to not replace it and pocket the money, or upgrade and pay the difference is up to you. Speaking of sheds, if it's a regular wood frame shed with shingles, don't expect a new one, they'll just re-shingle it like a house (assuming damage). An old rusty metal shed with dents in the roof, or a plastic shed with holes in the roof would generally be replaced.
Quick side note on code coverage. With your newer roof, you're likely up to code. In the Springs that pretty much means drip edge on the eaves and rakes. If you're in a situation where something is required by the city to be brought up to code by the city, it MUST be done. If you do not have code coverage on your policy (sometimes referred to as Building and Ordinance), then you'll be paying that expense out of pocket. I liken code coverage to rental coverage in that it is inexpensive to carry the endorsement, and when you need it, you really need it. While drip edge on a roof may not be a high expense, if you're house was built during the sixties and you have aluminum wiring, have a small kitchen fire (probably due to the wiring) and are required to upgrade the wiring in the house in order to put it back together, you're looking at several thousands of dollars in upgrades that are required if you want the work done.
Sounds like I might have to pick Irving’s brain about this insurance stuff as well.
I got my roof handled but I also need fence repairs that my insurance is covering. My problem is they are allowing about $8K for the fence and I’m getting bids around $13K to fix it.
Looks like I’m going to have to deal with the discrepancy in the claim myself on the fence. The roofing company handled that for me on the roof.
I may shoot you a text later to see if you have a few minutes to talk.
Ray, pick a contractor to do the fence, then share your estimate with them. They will either do it for that price, or have to call your insurance company and tell them where the insurance estimate is short. Either way, just like the roof, the contractor and insurance should reach an agreement before any work starts so you aren't left with the difference. That's a big difference.
Just how bad was this hail? I've been out of town.
I had no idea there was a bad hail storm down there until a guy on another board I frequent mentioned it and posted some pics. Looks like it was pretty brutal.
Good luck with the repairs. We went 20 years without ever having hail damage . . . and then had to have the roof replaced twice within just a couple years from storms that came through. Wasn't very hard to handle with the insurance company or roofers and both sides were pretty helpful in walking through the process. We have State Farm.
Just how bad was this hail? I've been out of town.
The pics showed 2" up to almost baseball.
cableguy11
06-14-2018, 07:26
Was all over the news..we watch the weather channel during business hours. At first I thought it was one of those storm chaser shows and it was from a past event. As I payed more attention it turned out it was the other night. Looked like a pretty good size storm with some gnarly sized hail.
Also to add, every claim I ever had with USAA was a dream to go thru. Never had an issue auto or home. They do a lot of it online now or at least that is my experience.
Anyone get bit by the reported 3" hail? Don't be afraid to share pictures, we do empathize with the damage, and have never seen anything even remotely close to that size... ever
Yes... story of my life.. I watered my "grass" (dirt patch) the day before. Hail was baseball or bigger in my area (south Fountain). Totaled one car, damage the other that was under a carport. Hail went THROUGH the carport roof. Broke a few windows on the house including a skylight, so that room was completely drenched. Shredded siding, roof, trees, etc... Power went out a few times.
I'm not a happy camper. Couldn't come at a better time... (sarcasm)....
And for insurance purporses they say it'll take 3-5 days for someone to come look. Neighbors had a person there in the morning... might be time to start looking at other insurance companies.
Re roofs, what about choosing types under a replacement. I know theres a lot of new stuff out there, and possibly code for level 3/4 stuff for hail? Lost shingles in the past but the bad windstorm like 1-2 months ago took ay least 8 off, so its probably time.
Re roofs, what about choosing types under a replacement. I know theres a lot of new stuff out there, and possibly code for level 3/4 stuff for hail? Lost shingles in the past but the bad windstorm like 1-2 months ago took ay least 8 off, so its probably time.
As far as I've been told, insurance will only REPLACE not update... They might have to update depending on your areas building codes though but I can't get a straight answer (yet) of if that extra cost is out of pocket or not... Very frustrating.
Of course they won't upgrade, the purpose of insurance is to make you whole; to restore your property to pre-loss condition.
DenverGP
06-14-2018, 12:58
Probably not as much of an upgrade as fitz was thinking about, but in my case, when USAA paid for my new roof last year, it included all the required code upgrades (drip edging, ice shield, etc) but I was also upgraded to a better than original impact resistant shingle with no out of pocket to me (other than the deductible).
Yes, as stated, depending on code you could get some "upgrades" but the intent of the insurance is just to replace what you originally had. That's cool that you got the updated stuff. I'm not sure what my local codes are... I should probably try to look that stuff up before the agent arrives.
Ray, pick a contractor to do the fence, then share your estimate with them. They will either do it for that price, or have to call your insurance company and tell them where the insurance estimate is short. Either way, just like the roof, the contractor and insurance should reach an agreement before any work starts so you aren't left with the difference. That's a big difference.
Well then I likely need to try and get in touch with yet another fence company. The first two showed zero interest in replacing about 350’ of my fence and the one that actually did send a guy out showed pretty much no interest in dealing with my insurance.
You’d think paying somebody $8K to $12K wouldn’t be too difficult but I guess it just isn’t worth anyone’s time.
Too bad my roofers don’t do fences. They were a pleasure to deal with.
PS- sorry to piggyback your thread but I’m dealing with my first ever homeowner claim.
It can be a bit confusing and overwhelming if you aren’t used to it.
PS- sorry to piggyback your thread but I’m dealing with my first ever homeowner claim.
It can be a bit confusing and overwhelming if you aren’t used to it.
Who you using for fence? I used Front Range Fence, INC. with decent results when the wind storm pulled down one side.
Who you using for fence? I used Front Range Fence, INC. with decent results when the wind storm pulled down one side.
I’ll refrain from mentioning any of the fencing companies by name until I get everything sorted out.
Since you had a good experience with them I’ll give Front Range Fence a try.
Holger Danske
06-14-2018, 20:07
My house was hit 2 years ago. My contractor friend recommended his roofer who was excellent. I had the roofer do an estimate and then talked with my agent. They had an assessor come out and walk the roof with the roofer. Eveeything was agreed to costwise up front and the process was painless. I did opt for 50 year hail resistant shingles and paid 2k out of pocket for the upgrade. I get a couple 100 off my house insurance every year too.
Criminey, sorry to hear about all the damage BB. We're going to have to update your title to glutton for punishment or something. [dig] Blowing through the carport is insane, that's enough to kill a man. I wonder how storms like this don't outright kill people to be honest - granted, most people have the sense to get inside and under cover, but there's always some lackeys out on the road, or on foot or homeless or what have you, and can't find sufficient cover fast enough.
On a side note they'll be some awesome deals on hail damage cars soon if people don't mind driving a literal golf ball.
Yeah, the past 2-3 years have not been very kind to me. Still searching for a job too. But, it's a season in life that everyone goes through I guess. "And this too shall pass" and all that jazz. As far as hail killing people... I'm VERY surprised there were no reports of someone being hit. It was insane. I'm a big guy and I know it would've knocked me out or killed me if one had hit me out in the open. anyways, back to OP.
DocMedic
08-17-2018, 12:24
... Well fuck, just got back from Vacation and Security-Widefield got rocked again, now my Awning went from severely dented to swiss cheese... Here we go again.
Yes, as stated, depending on code you could get some "upgrades" but the intent of the insurance is just to replace what you originally had. That's cool that you got the updated stuff. I'm not sure what my local codes are... I should probably try to look that stuff up before the agent arrives.
It depends on your policy. In some cases, required code upgrades are covered per policy language, in others they are not. I have seen some interesting approaches lately by insurance companies, contractors and owners. You pay premiums, make sure you get what you have paid for. Always be sure to tell the adjusters the truth about hail sizes, dates, if you actually know. If you don't know, don't guess.
colorider
08-17-2018, 13:55
My neighbor is currently having his roof replace by Aspen Roofing. This is pure comedy watching this crew work. Should have been a 1 day job. Nope, Going to be 3. They are also putting on some cheap ass shingles they convinced my neighbor were great.
My neighbor is currently having his roof replace by Aspen Roofing. This is pure comedy watching this crew work. Should have been a 1 day job. Nope, Going to be 3. They are also putting on some cheap ass shingles they convinced my neighbor were great.
Tell him that insurance does not cover construction defects nor product defects.
Aspen Roofing is an out of state outfit I believe. They show up for hail season. I want to say Minnesota maybe?
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