Need advice on claiming on Homeowners insurance.

[DocMedic]

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]

Irving in 3, 2, 1......

[Irving]

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]

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?

[Irving]

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.

[ray1970]

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.

[Irving]

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.

[ray1970]

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.

[Irving]

Just how bad was this hail? I've been out of town.

[00tec]

Just how bad was this hail? I've been out of town.

The pics showed 2" up to almost baseball.