How Does State Farm Handle Roof Claims? (Step-By-Step Claim Procedure Highlighted)

Last Updated on July 18, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

State Farm handles roof claims by following a standard process. When a customer files a claim, they assess the damage through an inspection by an adjuster. The adjuster determines coverage and evaluates the cost of repair or replacement. If the damage is covered under the policy, State Farm assists with arranging repairs or replacement. Customers may need to pay their deductible, and the amount of coverage depends on policy terms and conditions.

How Does State Farm Handle Roof Claims?

When it comes to homeowners insurance, one of the most common claims homeowners make is for roof damage. State Farm is one of the leading insurance providers in the United States and is known for its comprehensive coverage. So, how does State Farm handle roof claims? Let’s take a closer look:

1. Insurance Coverage:
   • State Farm provides coverage for roof damage caused by various perils, such as storms, wind, hail, and fire.
   • They also cover damage caused by sudden events like falling objects or a tree collapsing on your roof.
   • However, it’s important to note that regular wear and tear or damage resulting from lack of maintenance is generally not covered.
2. Reporting the Claim:
   • The first step in the process is to report your roof claim to State Farm. They have 24/7 claims reporting hotline as well as an online claims submission option on their website.
   • Make sure to have your policy number, details of the incident, and any supporting documents handy when contacting them.
3. Evaluation and Inspection:
   • Once your claim is filed, a State Farm claims representative will be assigned to your case.
   • They will schedule an inspection by either their own claims adjuster or an independent inspector to assess the extent of the damage.
   • It’s generally recommended to be present during the inspection to provide any necessary information and ask questions about the process.
4. Estimate and Coverage:
   • After the inspection, State Farm will provide you with an estimate for the repair or replacement of your roof.
   • The estimate will include the cost of materials, labor, and any additional expenses required to restore your roof to its pre-damaged condition.
   • Your coverage will depend on your policy and deductible, which you should discuss with your claims representative.
5. Deductible and Payment:
   • State Farm deductibles are typically a fixed amount or a percentage of your coverage limits, depending on your policy.
   • Once your deductible is determined, you may need to pay that amount before your claim is processed.
   • If your claim is approved, State Farm will then issue a payment to cover the remaining cost of the roof repairs or replacement.
6. Choosing a Contractor:
   • State Farm allows you to choose your own contractor to perform roof repairs or replacements.
   • However, it’s essential to ensure that the contractor you select is licensed, insured, and experienced in roofing work.
   • State Farm also provides a list of preferred contractors that meet their criteria for quality work.
7. Timelines and Reimbursement:
   • The time it takes to process a roof claim with State Farm can vary depending on the complexity of the damage and the availability of contractors.
   • To avoid any delays, promptly submit all necessary documents and choose a reputable contractor that can start the repairs as soon as possible.
   • Once the repairs are completed, you can submit invoices and receipts to State Farm for reimbursement.

Should You Pay Before Making Roof Claims To The State Farm?

There’s a certain fee paid by every member who makes a roof claim to the state farm. The state farm handles many repairs for your house, including the roof, but you have to pay in the form of deductibles. The amount determines your coverage limit which differs from diverse companies of the state farm.

Which Types Of Roof Claims Do The State Farm Handle?

Typically, the state farm covers roof claims associated with disasters like wind, snow, fire, and hail. However, they handle insurance for roof damages depending on the disaster caused and your policy status. Generally, it takes two significant insurances; both centered on accidental roof damages.

1. Partial Damage Insurance

When your roof gets partially damaged by harsh weather conditions like hails, the state firm will either repair or replace it. For instance, it will count the number of strikes to determine how they compromise the lifespan of your roof. On most occasions, the state farm will make a replacement instead of repairing it. 

2. Matching Issues Insurance

As the name suggests, matching issues insurance is where the state farm undertakes to repair the damages on the roof using materials the same as the initial ones. If the damage caused by your roof is not enormous, the state farm will make repairs using matching materials. In rare cases where your roof requires repair with unavailable materials, the state farm will replace the entire roof. 

Other roofing companies don’t pay you to get a better roof than what you had. Likewise, the state farm follows suit when making replacements. Nevertheless, you can apply for a fortified roof endorsement to get a better version of your roof. Fortified roofs are made to fit the standard rules for home safety and tend to be better than old ones.

Does The State Farm Cover All Roof Claims?

There have been too many claims from the insured to have their roofs repaired and replaced. For this reason, the state farm came up with measures to curb unnecessary claims. For instance, the state farm does not cover roof claims resulting from poor roof maintenance.

In addition, there have been some cases where the state farm failed to repair some roofs because the owners had not maintained them before the disaster. The state farm does not cover roof claims for floods and earthquakes. It would be better to have earthquake insurance or flood insurance if you live in areas that are vulnerable to such disasters. In simple terms, the state farm is unreliable for handling all roof damages.

Does The State Farm Include Wind And Hail Roof Claims?

The state farm always provides wind and hail roof claims, but the decision is optional. Though the state farm offers many roof claims, some people prefer to exclude other claims because of additional payments. You may find that the cost of roof claims resulting from fire, hail, or wind damage is different. The cost of wind and hail damage is always higher, and there are options to include it. There are choices like keeping the wind and hail coverages, excluding both to cut down costs or taking separate deductibles. 

Which Roof Maintenance Practices Does The State Farm Recommend?

As mentioned earlier, the state farm does not handle roof claims resulting from poor maintenance. However, it recommends that you maintain roofs by checking shingles, downspouts, gutters, and the overall drainage system. It would be best if you also looked out for blisters on shingles, which cause cracking that can be dangerous to your roof.  

It also recommends proper ventilation to ensure attics are not affected. Regular cleaning of gutters should be a routine, especially on channels, to avoid blockages caused by leaves and twigs from nearby trees. You are also required to trim branches that rub against the roof because they are the leading cause of sagging on decks and tend to be expensive to repair. 

Which Immediate Action Should You Take When Making A Roof Claim?

Always make immediate claims after damage has occurred to your roof. Contact your roofing company immediately and let them know the situation of your house. This will help you see whether you will need repairs or estimates. Reporting the case earlier makes the entire process faster. It enables you to know whether your needs exceed the deductible. 

Since roof repair claims are not done and completed within the same day, you can make temporary repairs. But, remember to keep the receipts for all the expenditures because the state farm will require them. They will cater to the cost and additional expenses. 

Does A State Farm Conduct Free Roof Inspection?

Authentic restoration allows the inspection of roofs as long as you are eligible for the repair. Before applying for any insurance, roofing contractors provide a thorough inspection to determine whether the roof meets all the requirements. Some companies under the state farm meet state farm adjusters over 100 times a year to approve free roof inspection and replacements. Consequently, customers have enjoyed free services like roof inspection and installation with 90% satisfaction. 

Is The State Farm Limited To Handling Roof Claims?

The state farm provides general home maintenance and accepts claims for any repairs like interior and exterior home repairs. The interior home claims include drywall, painting, wood, tiles, and carpets. The basic requirements remain the same – having a deductible from a verified company under the state farm. 

On the other hand, exterior home repairs will cover other house requirements like repairing and installing damaged gutters, sidings, decking, fascia, and soffit. However, it also depends on the company entrusted to your home. Some state farm companies may not handle interior and exterior home appliances, while others will extend their services to cover your fence.

How To File A Roof Claim To A State Farm

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Step 1:  Assess The Damage

Climb on the roof to check how bad it is. If your condition doesn’t allow you to climb the top, hire a contractor to help you do the inspection and give you a detailed report that you will submit to the state farm. Don’t limit yourself to the roof; always check the entire house. This will help you get the root cause of the damage before contacting the state farm. Giving wrong information may lead to disqualification of the claim.

Step 2: Find Out Your Insurance Coverage.

Check out the insurance policies and confirm the type of damage covered. You will also need to be keen on other details like your rights as stipulated in the state farm’s guidelines. It’s either you are claiming for actual cash value or replacement cost.

Step 3: Document The Damage

Take photos of the damaged roof and note down the date of the tragedy. If you had taken pictures before the damage, include them in the documents for verification.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurer.

Get in touch with the insurer and ask for the duration of repairing your roof. 

Step 5: Get In Touch With A Local Roofing Company.

Inquire from the local roofer to know the cost of replacement. Also, get a detailed report and document it for future use. They will use what you had and not how you want the roof to appear to approximate the compensation amount. Try to get an estimate as you will have to write it down on your roofing company’s letterhead. Most importantly, make a claim as soon as your roof gets damaged.

Step 6: File Your Claim

Use the information provided by your local roofing company with all other documents to file your claim. Include all receipts and the total cost.

Step 7:  Speak To Your Insurance Adjuster

The adjuster will assess all the damages to validate your claim. If possible, have your contractor around to discuss the repairs together. 

Step 8: Roof Replacement

You can hire a roofing company of your choice upon approval of your claim.

Final Thought

State farm claims are essential to your home. It would be best to have your house insured due to unprecedented accidents caused by harsh weather conditions. However, consult a professional or advise on what to include in the policy.

References:

https://www.vosslawfirm.com/blog/state-farm-hail-damage-roof-insurance-claim.cfm
https://www.rvandplaya.com/state-farm-roof-replacement-policy/