If Your California Roof Insurance Claim is Denied After a Wildfire

Natural disasters are known for causing serious damage to a home in many ways, sometimes completely destroying homes and businesses from the ground up. Natural disasters can also cause serious harm to the roof of a home, which is known to be one of the major pieces of a home that protects it from harm. Roofing can be extensive to repair, especially if a wildfire eats through the roof and makes its way through the home. Homeowners tend to depend upon their homeowner’s insurance to cover the associated costs when their roof fails in the midst of a wildfire and leads to destruction within a home.

However, as with many more aspects of homeowner’s insurance, it is not uncommon for a roof insurance claim to be denied. When this happens, you might be feeling scared and confused about where you are going to turn. Today we want to focus on many aspects of your denial after your roof has been destroyed by a wildfire such as the reasons commonly associated with denial or how you can dispute this denial.

What You Need to Know About Roofing and Fires 

Many people do not know that their roof is not fire-resistant, which can lead to ultimate harm in the event of a wildfire. Here are some types of roofing materials that are available for your home to prevent harm from a wildfire:

Metal: Metal roofing tiles are one of the best protectors against a horrific wildfire because they are made out of a metal that does not ignite when it is on fire. It is also rated with class-A protection, which means that it is perfect for a dry environment, which we see often times in California. Metal roofs are typically made from steel, copper, zinc, and other alloys. 

Slate: Slate, though one of the more expensive options, is another choice that can protect against fire. Many contractors do not have the skill to install it, which means that it comes with a huge price. It is also heavy and so structural issues must be determined. 

Concrete: This material is three great things: Heavy, durable, and fireproof.

Class A roofing materials are some of the best that those in California can consider where they live in wildfire regions due to the fact that they are built to withstand severe exposure to fire. These roofing materials include concrete or clay, fiberglass asphalt composition, shingles, and metal roofs. To determine the class, tests are conducted that show how quickly a fire can spread over these materials. Class-A is safest when it comes to ratings because of the fact that the materials are non-combustible.

After a Wildfire: Roofing Claim Denials 

There are many common reasons why roofing claims are denied every year across California when wildfire season breaks out and causes destruction to many homes. Here are some of the most common reasons for a claim denial:

Negligence: In some cases, an insurance company will not push a claim through because they have found that homeowner’s negligence took place. Perhaps somebody was told many years prior to the wildfire that their roof was dangerous and could completely light up at the drop of even a small wildfire. If the insurance company believes that negligence took place, they will dispute your claim. 

Lack of Coverage: Perhaps the insurance company does not cover the type of roof damage that you have sustained during the wildfire and your claim will be denied.

Insufficient Coverage: The insurance company might only cover up to a certain dollar amount. For the rest of the amount that it takes to cover the damage, the homeowner might be responsible. This is why you must pay attention to aspects like Actual Cash Value (ACV), which is meant to restore a home back to its natural condition at the time of its purchase. 

Late Claims: A homeowner’s insurance policy tends to have deadlines by how soon you must file your claim after your home has been damaged. If you wait too long and do not have it covered within that time, the insurance company will very likely deny the claim.

There are also many ways that insurance companies act in bad faith, which is why it is imperative to read your policy at all times. You might be browsing through your policy and find that the insurance company has denied coverage for a certain aspect but your policy states that you are covered. If this happens, you might be feeling confused and wonder where you can turn. Luckily, you have the option to dispute your denial.

Disputing Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim Denial  

Perhaps your homeowner’s insurance has offered to pay less than what they are supposed to or they have wrongfully denied your claim and you have evidence of such. No matter what has happened, you have the right to dispute your homeowner’s insurance claim denial when you have received one. You want to ensure that your settlement is fair, which is why it is important to start working with an attorney immediately. Here are some ways that you can work on disputing the claim denial:

Contacting the Company: You should always call and speak with your agent or your company’s claims department about the estimate that you have received. You should always listen to what they have to say and follow any instructions so that you can receive the best results. Ask if the claim can be reviewed again based on your new evidence if you have done a thorough review. 

Independent Appraisal: You might be able to obtain an independent estimate that can settle matters on your own. The new professional opinion might help you argue in your favor so that you can receive the best results.

Hiring an Attorney: Sometimes, insurance companies mistreat their policyholders or use bad business practices even though you have a valid claim. If you believe that bad faith has occurred, you have the right to hire an attorney, even though this can cost money and can be time-consuming.

Speaking with an Attorney After the California Camp Fire 

At Brady Law Group, we understand how negatively the California Camp Fire has impacted many people, causing chaotic results to those who have been seriously injured in this wildfire or those who have lost a loved one due to PG&E’s negligence. It is imperative to have an experienced wildfire accident attorney when you move forward with any aspect of your case so that you are not standing alone and missing out on opportunities for reimbursement. Please contact us at (866) 478-6483 to find out what we can do for you.