If your insurance company only wants to pay to replace a portion of your roof, there are several things you can do. First, I would recommend speaking with a qualified roofing contractor who is willing to work with you and is familiar with the insurance company’s claims procedures for partial roof replacement.
Sometimes it is perfectly acceptable for the insurance to pay only a portion of the roof. There are times when there is minimal damage due to wind and only a few missing or damaged shingles. In those cases, your roofer needs to assess the actual extent of the damage, there may only be a few shingles missing, but others might be compromised and will go with the next big wind storm and you don’t want this to be a never-ending repair job. Typically, each time you file a claim, your insurance tracks it and if you file too many claims, it may even cancel you, so it is important to ensure you get everything possible done on one claim.
In some cases, hail will only damage one slope of your roof due to the wind direction. In that case, it is not uncommon for an insurance company to only pay for half the roof. Again, you need to check with a qualified roofing contractor because some shingles, such as T-locks, have been completely discontinued or, in other cases, certain colors of architectural shingles are no longer available. A qualified roofing contractor can also determine what type of shingle is currently on your roof. Shingle warranties used to be rated as 30-, 40-, or 50-year shingles; a few, like CertainTeed’s Grand Manor or Carriage House, even had a lifetime warranty. You want to make sure that your insurance company is paying to replace the same quality of shingles as you currently have.
Very recently, most shingle manufacturers have gone to a Lifetime warranty on all their shingles, including those that used to be only a 30-year shingle. If you aren’t careful, a disreputable contractor or insurance adjuster might not give you the same quality of shingle you had previously, but will make it look like they have upgraded you to a better shingle. Do your homework and don’t hire the cheapest contractor or the first one knocking on your door. Beware of storm chasers and always check with the Better Business Bureau and make sure you are dealing with local contractors for your area. Ask for references and check them. Ask questions of your contractor. A good roofing contractor in Colorado Springs doesn’t mind, and if they do, they are probably trying to hide something. Show them that you are knowledgeable, and they will do a better job for you.
Your roof protects everything else in your home, and you need to make sure you are getting it repaired correctly and with the same or better products than you had before.
