After a powerful storm, you could find your roof damaged. Shingles scattered on the ground clue you in to bigger problems threatening the security of your home. Thankfully, you’ve got homeowner’s insurance and your premiums are paid to date. You plan to file a claim and quickly get your roof repaired.
It is likely a complete surprise when you receive a denial letter from your carrier. Unfortunately, this happens to homeowners more often than you might think. Insurance companies are businesses, and one way they protect profits is by limiting payouts, even for valid claims.
If your claim has been denied, you still have options. The team of experienced attorneys at Wallace Law can help. We’ll explain how to fight back and get the coverage you paid for.
It’s More than Just a Few Shingles
If you don’t see any leaks inside your home, you might be tempted to just toss the denial letter in the wastebasket and accept that the insurance company isn’t going to pay. The reality is, missing and damaged shingles create the perfect opportunity for bigger damage to your roof in the future.
Water can seep in through broken and missing shingles and create the opportunity for mold to develop and wood framing to rot. If you don’t get your roof repaired, you could be facing larger, more costly structural repairs in the future.
Even a few missing shingles can lead to thousands of dollars in damage. That’s why homeowners purchase insurance. When insurers refuse to pay, it puts families in a difficult position.
Common Reasons Insurance Companies Deny Wind Damage Claims
Understanding why claims get denied is the first step toward fighting back. Here are the most frequent explanations insurers give homeowners when they refuse to cover roof damage after a windstorm.
1. “It’s Just Normal Wear and Tear”
Insurers often argue that the shingles weren’t damaged by the storm at all but were already in poor condition due to age. While it is important to maintain your roof and keep it in good repair, this is a known tactic to refuse a claim. If your roof is more than 10 to 15 years old, adjusters may claim deterioration is the cause.
2. “Your Roof Was Improperly Installed”
Another common tactic is blaming the builder or roofer. If shingles weren’t nailed or sealed to the insurer’s standards, they might claim the installation is responsible. They may also send out an inspector to verify that the roof was improperly installed.
3. “The Damage Is Only Cosmetic”
Insurers sometimes admit wind affected the roof but downplay the severity, calling it “cosmetic.” They may say curled or lifted shingles don’t affect the roof’s function, even though these issues can shorten a roof’s life and lead to leaks.
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4. “Only Part of the Roof Was Damaged”
Insurance companies may cover repairs for a small section of the roof but refuse to replace the entire thing. The problem is that patching rarely restores the roof’s integrity, and mismatched shingles may lower your property value or cause you to get into a dispute with your homeowner’s association.
5. “Your Policy Excludes Wind Damage”
Some policies contain fine-print exclusions for wind or storm-related losses, especially in regions prone to severe weather. Other times, insurers may point to complicated deductibles or coverage limits you didn’t know about.
6. “You Missed the Filing Deadline”
Policies often have strict deadlines for reporting damage. If you wait too long, insurers may use that as grounds for denial even if the damage is clearly storm-related. Hiring an experienced attorney can help protect you from denials due to missed deadlines and clerical errors.
While you may be able to appeal these denials, you could be completely barred from filing a claim if you wait too long. In Wisconsin, you have one year from the date of the loss to file a claim, but it is better to file sooner rather than later.
7. “We Don’t See Enough Evidence”
Insurers may claim there is no proof the wind caused the damage, especially if you don’t have photos from before and after the storm. They might also dispute weather data in your area. For this reason, it may be necessary to hire your own inspector or a public adjuster to come inspect your roof.
8. Delays that Lead to Denial
Sometimes it’s not a direct denial at first. Insurers stall by requesting endless documents and rescheduling inspections. Sometimes they simply fail to respond to your requests or your claim.
They hope that you may get frustrated and withdraw the claim. If you’ve received a denial, there are still options to get the repairs you need to repair your home.
What to Do if Your Wind Damage Claim Is Denied
A denial letter isn’t the end of the road. There are several steps you can take to challenge your insurer’s decision.
- Read the letter carefully. You need to be able to fully understand the reason your claim is being denied.
- Review your policy. Carefully read portions of your policy like wind and storm coverage, exclusions and limitations, deductibles, and replacement cost versus actual cash value.
- Document your damage. Take your own photographs, collect weather data from the date of the storm, and obtain accounts from other neighbors who had damage to their roofs.
- Get an independent inspection. Hiring a third-party to come and assess the damage can be a valuable piece of evidence to support your claim.
- File an appeal. Your insurance company likely has a formal appeal process. Contact them and find out how to file an appeal and begin the process.
- File a complaint with the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance. If you think your insurance company is acting in bad faith, file a complaint with the Commissioner of Insurance so they can begin an investigation.
- Contact an attorney. Your insurance company has an entire legal department on its side. An experienced lawyer can negotiate with the insurer and fight for a fair settlement.
Hiring an attorney is a big step, and experience matters. At Wallace Law, we have decades of experience representing homeowners against insurance companies that deny and stall valid claims.
How an Insurance Claims Attorney Helps Homeowners
Homeowners are at a disadvantage when going up against large insurance companies. Attorneys level the playing field by:
- Reviewing your policy to determine the coverage you’re owed
- Gathering strong evidence, including expert roofing assessments
- Negotiating directly with the insurance company
- Filing lawsuits for bad faith if the insurer refuses to act fairly
- Working to secure enough compensation for proper repairs or full replacement
- Representing you at trial, if necessary
At Wallace Law, our attorneys know how insurance companies think because we’ve worked on the inside. We use that knowledge to fight for policyholders and hold insurers accountable.
Tips to Protect Yourself Before Filing a Claim
If you want to file a strong claim, follow these tips.
- Take annual photos of your roof to document its condition.
- Keep your roof in good repair and take care of maintenance.
- If your roof is old, have it inspected to see if it should be replaced.
- Keep receipts for any roof maintenance or repairs.
- File claims promptly after a storm.
- Get professional inspections if you suspect hidden damage.
Preparation makes it harder for insurers to deny valid claims. Supporting your claim with documented evidence of good roof maintenance and visual evidence of storm damage can help build a better argument for your claim.
Why Choose Wallace Insurance Law
At Wallace Law, we fight for the policyholder. Our team has secured millions in settlements for homeowners facing denied or underpaid claims. Our experience lies in our experience representing the very companies we now pursue.
We know insurance company tactics and we know how to counter them. When you hire us, you’re hiring an entire team to work for your best interests. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay our fees until we settle your case.
Get Help Today
Wind damage to your roof is serious. Without proper repairs or replacement, your entire property could be at risk, costing you thousands of dollars in structural damage down the road. Don’t let your insurance company leave you with unsafe conditions or expensive repairs you shouldn’t have to pay for.
You paid your premiums and have this insurance for the purpose of giving you the compensation you need to repair your roof when it has been damaged. If your wind damage claim has been denied or if you feel the claim amount that you’ve been offered is too low, reach out to Wallace Law for a case evaluation.
Our attorneys will review your policy and talk about your next steps. Even if you’ve already been denied, we can help. Don’t accept “no” from your insurance company; let us help you fight back and get the coverage you deserve.
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