What to do if Your Roofing Claim is Denied: A Comprehensive Guide

Hello there, dear readers! 

This is Brookens Construction, your trusted roofing contractor in Wisconsin. Today, we want to help address a relatively common yet often misunderstood issue: denied roofing claims.

It’s a reality that insurance companies can, and often do, deny valid damage claims. It can be a frustrating and confusing process for homeowners, especially when faced with the aftermath of a storm or other damaging event. However, it’s essential to understand that a denial is not necessarily the end of the road. Most insurance companies offer many options to challenge the initial inspector’s opinion – something they only sometimes tell homeowners upfront.

After a claim is denied, the first step is to request a re-inspection. In other words, ask that the insurance company sends out a different adjuster for a second opinion. Our data shows that over 60% of denied claims are approved after this second inspection. So, a re-inspection could lead to a different outcome.

The process gets more involved if the claim is denied for a second time. The insurance company will typically hire a third-party “non-biased” inspector, such as a structural engineer or professional roof consultant, to assess the situation.

At this point, it’s also essential to bring a non-biased third party on your behalf. As your roofing contractor, our opinion could be biased, so we often suggest bringing in a public adjuster to act as an unbiased third party.

From here, two paths can be taken:

1. The Appraisal Process: The third-party inspectors from both sides agree on an umpire. The three individuals meet at your property, and the referee makes the final call. It’s crucial to note that if this path is selected, you, as the insured, waive your right to litigate or take the case to court.
2. Legal Action: You can skip the appraisal process, bring in a property loss attorney, and file a lawsuit against the insurance carrier.

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize there is a process to rebut the insurance carrier’s denial and prematurely give up. At Brookens Construction, we’re proud to say we’ve never lost a battle with any insurance carrier as long as the homeowner stays in the fight.

We’ve successfully overturned several hundred denied claims on residential and multi-family levels. We have the utmost confidence in our ability to help you through this process. If your property has taken visible damage, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ we can get approval.

We hope this post has been enlightening and offers some hope for dealing with a denied claim. Remember, you’re not alone in this; we’re always here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us at Brookens Construction for any roofing needs or further guidance.

Stay strong, Wisconsin homeowners – we’ve got your back!