Will my insurance company pay for my roof to be replace?
Yes. If there is damage caused by an act of nature such as wind or hail.
What if I have a really old roof?
It would only affect how much the insurance company pays if you have an actual cash value (ACV) only policy.
How much will I have to pay?
This depends on your deductible and the type of policy you have. If you have a full replacement policy, your total cost would be the amount of your deductible. If you have an actual cash value (ACV) policy, the insurance company subtracts your deductible from the total amount, and then they subtract a portion for depreciation. Depending on the age of the roof, usually with an ACV policy you end up with approximately 50% of the funds needed to replace your roof.
If I get bids lower than my insurance settlement, do I get to keep the rest?
Most insurance companies require the work to be completed before releasing a final payment. If they pay a portion up front and are holding back a portion until completion, the final bill will be determined by the actual invoice amount not to exceed the adjusted amount. For example, the insurance company says it will allow $10,000 to replace your roof. Your deductible is $500. You will receive $9,500 if the job costs $10,000. If the job costs $9,700, the insurance company will pay you $9,200. Since your deductible is $500, they only owe the actual amount not to exceed the adjusted amount.
Can I get upgrades on my materials?
Yes, however, the increase in price above the insurance price is your responsibility. This is a great time for upgrades since the insurance company is responsible for the bulk of the cost. Also, if you have another storm related claim, the insurance company will replace at the upgraded level.