9 Common Problems Encountered During Insurance Claims for Historical Roofing Systems (Tile, Slate and Copper)

Read your insurance policy. Review it with your insurance agent line by line and understand what coverage it provides YOU. The contractor YOU select will also need a copy if he will be working with you and the insurance company to negotiate a damage amount acceptable to everyone. Renaissance Roofing Inc. 4 9 Common Problems Encountered During Insurance Claims for Historical Roofing Systems (Tile, Slate and Copper) 2. Xactimate This is computer software program used for estimating construction cost by insurance adjusters. This software uses generic values that are best suited for track housing. It is not an accurate estimate for homes that are custom built, historic and/or located in high value neighborhoods. So be very cautious when your adjuster provides you an estimate based upon Xactimate. Contractors that rely on Xactimate to determine the cost of the work are not professionals that understand the true expense of completing a historical roofing system restoration. “It is not an accurate estimate for homes that are custom built, historic and/or located in high value neighborhoods.” For more information over Xactimate, visit http://uphelp.org/library/resource/xactimate-demystified Renaissance Roofing Inc. 5 9 Common Problems Encountered During Insurance Claims for Historical Roofing Systems (Tile, Slate and Copper) 3. Insurance Adjusters “Ask the adjuster sent out to your home for his or her experience on a historical roofing system like yours.” Most insurance adjusters simply do NOT have the experience of working on historical roofing systems. Ask the adjuster sent out to your home for his or her experience on a historical roofing system like yours. If you do not agree with his assessment of the damage, or his dollar amount estimates, call your insurance carrier and request a new adjuster. You have the right to ask for a second opinion. All to often, when a roofing system is re-inspected, more damage is found. Renaissance Roofing Inc. 6 9 Common Problems Encountered During Insurance Claims for Historical Roofing Systems (Tile, Slate and Copper) 4. Roofing Contractors Historical roofing systems require a level of skill and craftsmanship not found with most roofing contractors. Ensure the contractor that you choose, has vast experience in historical roofing systems. In fact, use a contractor that specializes in historical roofing systems; never hire a roofing company that has “done one before.” Let’s not forget to select a local contractor whenever possible, going with a “storm-chaser” for historical work is a recipe for disaster. Renaissance Roofing Inc. 7 9 Common Problems Encountered During Insurance Claims for Historical Roofing Systems (Tile, Slate and Copper) 5. Get 3 Bids The insurance company will tell you to get 3 bids. Why? Because they want you to work for them and get them the lowest price. DO NOT let the insurance company intimidate you into going with the lowest bid. YOU have the right to select the contractor YOU want to use, regardless of price. Remember, when YOU have a problem with your roof down the road, You have to call the contractor You selected to do Your roof and get him to stand behind his warranty and repair Your roof. The insurance company will do nothing to help you when it leaks next year. Renaissance Roofing Inc. “DO NOT let the insurance company intimidate you into going with the lowest bid. YOU have the right to select the contractor YOU want to use, regardless of price.” 8 9 Common Problems Encountered During Insurance Claims for Historical Roofing Systems (Tile, Slate and Copper) 6. Sticker Shock Don’t be surprised when the cost of your roof is $100,000.00 or MORE. It is not uncommon, when completed by companies that specialize in historical roofing systems for a roofing system to cost $30 to $40 per square foot! That means that a “typical” 3,000 square foot roof will most likely cost 90 to 120 THOUSAND DOLLARS! This amount can be more than you paid for the house; but the insurance policy YOU have faithfully paid for the last 20 years is a contract that mandates you get a like-kind replacement roof. Renaissance Roofing Inc. 9 9 Common Problems Encountered During Insurance Claims for Historical Roofing Systems (Tile, Slate and Copper) 7. Ordinance of Code “Ordinance of law is not in all policies, but should be in policies for historical properties.” Also known as ordinance of law is not in all policies, but should be in policies for historical properties. This means that your policy will pay for any and all changes that may be required by the building codes that are applicable to your home. So, when your roof is replaced, the insurance company is required to replace you roof with one that meets the current codes. One major code policy that will have a huge impact on your property is attic insulation and ventilation. Most historic homes especially those that have finished attic space typically do not have sufficient insulation or ventilation in the roofing system. Your local codes will mandate insulation and ventilation levels and achieving these requirements requires exstensive materials and labor, which you are entitled to!