The process of having a covered loss fixed involves estimates and consultations. Often, the home insurance company sends a technician to your home to assess the situation. That person then provides the agent with information. A cost and description of the damage helps the insurance company decide what to pay for the incident. Sometimes, the damage is not fully understood upfront. What happens if the costs rise?
What Could Happen if Repair Costs Rise?
It is not uncommon for a situation like this to occur. If it does, contact the insurance company about the claim.
The decision of the insurer to provide extra coverage depends on the circumstances. In some situations, you may have to cover some or all the additional costs. In other cases, the insurance company recognizes the need to pay the extra money for the losses.
Sometimes, there is a need to get more information for this to occur. Some insurers may reach out to another technician to verify the extra costs. It sounds complex, but it does not have to be a challenge to you.
What Caused the Additional Costs?
Perhaps you have a professional repairing the roof of your home after a storm damaged it. The initial claim was just for some repairs. Now the roofing company says there is a significant amount of damage under the shingles. It now wants to replace the entire roof. Your insurance company only paid for the repairs. What could happen?
In this situation, the home insurance company must determine if it is their responsibility to provide extra coverage. This can happen for various reasons.
- The insurance company determines the new damage has coverage because it is due to the storm’s impact. For example, the storm caused the damage to the structure of the roof by damaging the shingles.
- The company could say that the loss may not have coverage if it is due to normal wear and tear. For example, the roofer may find damage brought on by poor maintenance over the years. In this case, the coverage for additional work may not apply.
In this type of scenario, work with your Tampa insurance agent. If the company can conclude the damage is a covered loss, they will provide coverage for the extra work.
If you do not agree with their decision, you usually have the ability to appeal it. Do this through your agent or directly with your insurer. More information may be necessary to determine if coverage applies in your case.