Roof damage claims are among the most hotly contested insurance disputes in Florida. Insurers deny or underpay roof claims more than almost any other category of loss — and they have a playbook of justifications ready to deploy.
Haahr Law Group has seen a growing number of hail damage claims in recent years. Like windstorm damage, hail can cause severe damage not only to the roof, but to other parts of your property as well.
Common Tactics Insurers Use to Deny Hail Claims
- “Wear and tear,” not hail damage. Insurers often claim the roof was already old or deteriorating, rather than acknowledging hail-caused damage.
- No proven “opening.” Insurers frequently argue the hail didn’t create an actual opening through which water entered — disputing causation to avoid paying the claim.
We work with roofing engineers who specialize in hail damage inspections to determine whether your roof was damaged by hail, whether that damage caused a failure that let water in, and whether the roof has been permanently compromised and needs full replacement. In many cases, a partially damaged roof must be replaced entirely to comply with local building codes or ordinances — even if the visible damage looks limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover roof damage in Florida?
Often, yes. Homeowners policies commonly cover sudden damage from covered events such as windstorm and hail. They generally do not cover wear and tear, deterioration, or lack of maintenance, and that is where many roof claims are disputed. An older roof that was not leaking before the loss is not excluded just because of its age. What your policy pays also depends on its roof deductible and any roof-specific endorsement. See our roof and hail damage page.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage from a roof leak?
It depends on the cause. Sudden storm damage that lets water in is commonly covered, while a leak that results from wear and tear or long-term neglect may not be. Insurers often argue that the storm did not create an actual opening in the roof. A roof inspection can help show what caused the leak.
Can my insurance company pay only actual cash value for my roof?
It depends on your policy and the rule that applies. Florida law does not set a roof age at which a claim must be paid at actual cash value, but some policies carry a roof-specific endorsement or a roof deductible that can limit roof payments. Read our article, Can an Insurer Pay Only Actual Cash Value for an Older Roof?
Why is my insurance company withholding depreciation from my payment?
If your property is insured on a replacement-cost basis, your insurance company may initially pay the actual cash value of the covered damage rather than the full replacement cost. Actual cash value generally reflects depreciation from the replacement cost of the damaged property.
For a dwelling insured on a replacement-cost basis, Florida law generally requires the insurer to initially pay at least the actual cash value of the covered loss, less any applicable deductible. The insurer must then pay remaining amounts necessary to perform covered repairs as the work is performed and expenses are incurred, subject to the policy’s terms and limits. See Fla. Stat. § 627.7011.
Keep your repair contracts, invoices, receipts, photographs, and other documentation and provide the required documentation to your insurer. If you believe your insurer has applied excessive depreciation or has failed to release replacement-cost benefits that are owed, consider having the claim reviewed.
What can I do if my insurance claim was denied?
A denial does not necessarily mean your claim is over. Insurers deny claims because they believe the damage is excluded, came from wear and tear, happened before the policy period, was reported too late, or was caused by something other than a covered event. An attorney can review the denial letter, your policy, inspection reports, estimates, photographs, and other evidence to decide whether the insurer’s decision can be challenged. Contact us or call 727.896.7777 for a free consultation.
Have a Pending or Denied Hail Damage Claim?
We can help. Schedule a free consultation.