Paperwork for a Roof Insurance Claim in Fort Myers

A roof insurance claim in Fort Myers runs on paperwork. The insurer needs to see what was damaged, when it happened and what a proper repair will cost, and you need that in a form you can send without rewriting it. That paperwork is what we produce. The claim itself, what the policy covers and what it pays, belongs to you and your insurer, and Florida law draws that line firmly. This page lays out both sides of it.

The packet you get

After we inspect, you receive one set of documents you can forward to your insurer as is.

A dated photo set. Wide shots so anyone can tell where on the roof they’re looking, then close-ups of each problem: creased or missing shingles, cracked or shifted tile, torn underlayment, bent flashing, punctures from debris, wet decking. Inside, the stains on ceilings and the damp in the attic. Each photo is dated and labelled.

A written report. Slope by slope, in plain English. What’s damaged, what’s intact, and what most likely caused it. The intact parts are in there on purpose; an honest report that names what came through fine is harder to argue with than one that calls everything ruined.

An itemized price. Florida law requires a contractor to give you a written, itemized estimate before you sign a contract for work paid from a property insurance claim. Ours lists each part of the repair separately: tear-off, deck repairs, re-nailing, underlayment, the roof covering, flashing, vents, the permit and disposal. If the repair has to bring part of the roof up to current code, those lines are shown on their own, so the insurer can see why they’re there.

Emergency work records. If we tarp your roof before the permanent fix, you get photos of the damage taken before the tarp went on and an invoice for the tarping. Insurers generally expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and these records show you did.

Lines we don’t cross

Florida tightened its rules on roofers and claims because some contractors were taking over claims and leaving homeowners with the fallout. We agree with those rules. In practice it means:

• We won’t tell you what your policy covers. Ask your insurer, your agent or a professional you hire.
• We won’t negotiate your claim. That’s public adjusting, and we aren’t licensed for it.
• We won’t touch your deductible. No waiving it, paying it, discounting around it or rebating it.
• We won’t ask you to sign your benefits over to us. Florida law now voids an assignment of post-loss benefits on newly issued property policies, and we never asked for one anyway.

If you want help with the claim itself, a licensed public adjuster or an attorney can represent you. We’ll give whoever you choose the same photos, report and price.

A typical claim, step by step

1. Stop the water. Tarp, temporary seal, buckets, towels. Keep receipts for anything you spend.
2. Get the roof documented. We inspect and send you the packet.
3. Notify your insurer. Do it soon. The legal deadlines are in the FAQ on this page, but early notice is always easier.
4. Meet the adjuster. We can be there if you’d like.
5. Read the insurer’s decision. Questions about it go to the insurer, a public adjuster or an attorney.
6. Decide on the repair. If you go ahead with us, we pull the permit and build to the itemized price.

Roof age and your coverage

Plenty of Lee County homeowners hear from their insurer as the roof ages. Florida law says an insurer can’t refuse to write or renew a homeowner’s policy only because the roof is less than 15 years old. If your roof is 15 years old or more, you can have it inspected by an authorized inspector, and if it has at least 5 years of useful life left, age alone can’t be the reason the insurer refuses. We can carry out that inspection and write it up. For the signs that a shingle roof is getting there, see how long a shingle roof lasts in this climate.

Wind mitigation credits

Insurers in Florida have to offer discounts or credits for construction features that reduce wind losses, such as how the deck is fastened, how the roof is attached to the walls and the shape of the roof. A wind mitigation inspection records those features on the state’s form. A new roof with a re-nailed, sealed deck and its permit and inspections on file gives that inspection more to record.

Where to start

If the storm is still fresh, read hurricane damage first. A single leak may only need roof repair, and if the roof is beyond fixing, see roof replacement. We put claim paperwork together for homes in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Estero.

Insurance claim paperwork by town

• Insurance claim paperwork in Fort Myers, FLOlder shingle roofs near McGregor, block homes off Colonial and the neighborhoods still rebuilding after Ian and Milton.
• Insurance claim paperwork in Cape Coral, FLSingle-story canal homes with shingle or concrete tile, lanais and pool cages tied into the roof edge.
• Insurance claim paperwork in Estero, FLConcrete tile in gated communities, re-roofed to the association's approved colours and the Florida code.

Guides

• How Long a Shingle Roof Lasts in Southwest FloridaHow long a shingle roof lasts under Southwest Florida sun, salt air and storms, the signs it's getting old, and what you can do to get the most out of it.

Questions about insurance claim paperwork

• Can you deal with my insurer for me?

  No. Talking coverage or negotiating a settlement on your behalf is public adjusting under Florida law, and that takes a public adjuster's licence or an attorney. We stay on the roof side, what's damaged and what fixing it costs, and you stay in charge of the claim.

• Should you be there when the adjuster comes?

  If you'd like, yes. We'll walk the adjuster through what we photographed and how the roof is built. If the conversation turns to what the policy pays, that's between you and the insurer.

• Someone offered to cover my deductible. Is that normal?

  It's illegal in Florida. A contractor can't offer to waive or pay your deductible, or give you a rebate, a gift card or anything else of value for an inspection or a claim. Treat that offer as a reason to look elsewhere.

• How long do I have to report roof damage?

  Florida gives you 1 year from the date of loss to notify your insurer of a new property claim, and 18 months for a supplemental claim from the same event. Your policy may list other duties after a loss, so read that section too.