MATCH DON’T PATCH™
Any kind of roof damage can impact your home’s curb appeal and market value. Therefore, repairing, replacing and restoring your roof so it offers proper protection and looks great is essential. However, roof matching regulations will likely play a part in how you go about repairing your roof.
Various regulations govern roof matching or replacement in instances of damage. While roof replacement is often a necessary solution to maintain the quality and appearance of your roof, insurance companies can dispute matching claims. By understanding roofing regulations in your region, you can ensure you get the best solution to roof damage.
Rhode Island Roofing Regulations
Learn more about resolving your roofing damage in regard to Rhode Island’s roofing regulations below.
The 25% Rule
As a homeowner, you can get a complete roof replacement if 25% or more of your roof is damaged. Repairing significant roof damage can cost homeowners more in repairs and compromise the quality of their roofs in comparison to full roof replacement. Speaking with a professional roofing company about how much damage your roof has is a good starting point.
Roof Age
Qualifying for a full roof replacement can depend on your roof’s age. Many insurance companies won’t cover roof replacements for roofs that are considerably old, though the exact figure depends on the company. For example, some companies may require full roof replacements for roofs older than 10 years, but others will do so for roofs older than 15 years.
Roof Matching Laws
Roof matching laws help ensure homeowners get appropriate solutions for damage. Previously, insurance companies paid for repairs to patch roof damage. In natural disasters, roof damage can be extensive, blowing away numerous shingles and compromising roof structures.
Insurance firms covered what they thought were reasonable for damages, even if it meant patching roofs with ununiformed materials. Roof owners had to settle for patching solutions that sacrificed roof quality and appearance.
Under roof matching laws in Rhode Island, homeowners can get a full roof replacement if their roofing materials are no longer available — the insurer is responsible for replacing the entire roof so it reflects a “reasonably uniform appearance.” A homeowner can claim replacement if it’s the best solution to preserve their roof’s structural integrity and home market value.
How to Match Your Roof
If your roof is damaged, matching or replacing your roof will depend on your insurance policy. Insurance policies detail various options and processes for claiming roof damage. They also outline the amount you can claim and your coverage types. Understanding your insurance policy is vital and can help you get suitable roof replacement solutions.
Here are two common insurance valuation methods:
Replacement Cost Value
Replacement cost value (RCV) offers coverage to the value of a homeowner’s roof. Insurance companies will pay homeowners the total cost to replace or repair their roofs. Replacements or repairs must match and restore the quality of their roof as it was before the damage.
An RVC policy is one of the most effective policies for restoring functionality and uniformity. If a replacement option doesn’t match the uniformity or appearance of the rest of the roof, a homeowner, under an RVC policy, is entitled to a full roof replacement.
Depending on your insurance provider, matching regulation changes can impact RVC policies, excluding some homeowners from receiving a full replacement.
Actual Cost Value
Actual cost value (ACV) covers value, repairs and replacement minus devaluation costs. If your roof becomes damaged, insurance companies can pay to repair or replace the value of the damage and not the entire roof. Homeowners must pay for other devaluation costs like market depreciation.
Under an ACV policy, insurance companies can also match the market value of damages. Unlike an RVC policy, homeowners can receive similar repairs or replacements for damages. An ACV policy allows insurance companies to decide how they’ll repair, restore or replace roof damages.
Factors That Impact Roof Matching Claims
While homeowners can claim repairs and replacements to restore their roofs’ quality, insurance companies can dispute these claims. Various policies also have terms that exclude specific matching claims. Insurance companies add policy clauses to help reduce and prevent fraudulent claims.
Insurance companies can combat matching claims for various reasons, such as:
- Roof uniformity: Insurance companies can deny full roof replacement if a roof doesn’t match or have uniformity before the damage claim. Insurance companies won’t repair or replace the damaged portion if they find that it has preexisting conditions after evaluation.
- Previous damage: Insurance companies can reject matching claims if preexisting roof conditions like missing or broken shingles cause damage or lack of uniformity.
- Replacement area: Insurance companies can reject claims if the damaged area is too small to warrant a full replacement.
- Fraudulent claims: Insurance companies will deny false damage claims.
Because roof matching claims can be complex and time-consuming, it’s beneficial to work with a professional roofing company from the start to streamline the process and ensure you get the most appropriate solution for your situation.
File Your Roof Damage Insurance Claims With Help From Rhode Island Roofing
Making a claim for roof damage can be a challenging process and extend the time before you get your new roof installed. If you have insurance, you want to ensure you get the best repair and replacement solutions to restore the quality of your roof. We understand that the claims process can be a stressful experience, and we’re here to help.
At Rhode Island Roofing, we believe in quality repairs and replacements that will last a lifetime. We can help you handle your insurance claims process and help you get your premium roof replacement. We’ll communicate with insurance companies and streamline the process, minimizing the time and effort you must put in.
Our team of professionals is skilled and certified and can help you with every step of the roof replacement process. We use high-quality materials and techniques to repair, replace and restore your roof to excellent condition.
Give us a call at 401-424-7663 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today!