Big Questions: When Should You Hire an Appraiser?

Sometimes, the process of dealing with roof damage is straightforward.

You recognize the damage.
You file a claim with your insurance.
Your insurance company assesses the damage.
You get your roof fixed.

Other times, that process is… well, not that simple! Sometimes, you need more help to get you the coverage and repairs you need. So, you make the decision to hire an appraiser to help you document your damage, determine the cost and timeline to repair it, and talk through it with your insurance company.

But how do you know which route to take? In other words, when should you hire an appraiser?

Well, we’re here to help you figure it out!

Here are a few cases in which it might be time to hire an appraiser for your roofing claim.

When you want another set of eyes on the damage.

It’s within your right at any time as a homeowner to hire a third-party to assess your damage. Sometimes, it’s necessary, and sometimes, it’s just something you as a homeowner want to get the best possible report on the damage and the costs and plan to repair it. Think of it as similar to getting an appraisal when you’re buying or selling a home. Getting an appraisal helps everyone involved determine the best road forward in terms of cost, timeline, and more for your home.

When your insurance payout won’t cover your preferred contractor’s assessment.

Sometimes the cost to repair using your preferred contractor is higher than what your insurance company has agreed to pay. In those cases, you can benefit from calling in some reinforcements! While insurance companies are there to help you, they are also bound to their own procedures, standards, and policies on coverage. So, at times, their assessment and quote will be influenced by the coverage they know they can offer. An appraiser can come in to offer an unbiased set of eyes on your damage, perhaps providing a quote that will better match the price range of your preferred contractor.

When you aren’t getting fair coverage from your policy.

After determining your damage, the insurance company will give you a quote for the amount they’re willing to pay to get it fixed. At times, this can leave you in a dispute if there is a disagreement in the cost of repairs. Then, you as a homeowner have the right to an appraisal. This is likely your best option to receive fair coverage for your damaged property.

When you think something was missed.

It’s important to remember that insurance adjusters aren’t professional roofers. Because of that, they may miss a detail in the damage. Even with the best intentions, their eyes just aren’t trained to notice it all. That’s when an appraisal can help! If you think a detail was missed or some part of the damage was overlooked, hiring a third-party can help you get a more thorough report to consider.

When your claim is disputed or denied.

In some cases, insurance companies may dispute or deny your claim for roofing damage. Their argument? Usually that the roof doesn’t have enough damage to warrant a claim. Here, it’s in your best interest to schedule an appraisal to get a new estimate. The roofer can look at the damage to determine if any repairs are needed and what it will cost to get them done.

Want help walking through any part of the roofing repair process? Call or email our team at Skyshield for a free inspection.