Do insurance companies have to match siding? The answer is Yes, sometimes if part of your house’s siding gets damaged, your insurance might cover the cost of replacing it with matching materials. This depends on what your insurance policy says and the rules in your state.
Some states have laws saying that if you can’t find a close match for the damaged part, the insurance company has to pay for a replacement that matches the rest of your siding. For example, in Florida, if the new siding doesn’t match in quality, color, or size, the insurance company has to make sure it looks right with the rest of your house.
There’s also something called a matching endorsement. Some insurance companies offer this as an extra add-on to your policy. It means that if you need to replace your roof, siding, or windows because of damage, they’ll make sure the new parts match the undamaged ones.
But If your siding or shingles are discontinued, finding a good match can be really hard. In that case, it might mean replacing the whole thing to keep it looking right. This can get complicated because of different state laws and insurance rules.
It’s important to remember, though, that insurance companies usually aren’t required to make your siding match if it’s just because of poor maintenance. So, before you count on your insurance to fix up your siding, it’s a good idea to check your policy and see what your rights are under the law.
Insurance Companies Denying Roof Repair Claims Due to Discontinued Shingles
Many homeowners are facing an unexpected hurdle when filing insurance claims for roof repairs: discontinued shingles. Insurance companies are denying claims, citing that the homeowner must use new shingles, even if they are not compatible with the existing roof.
Imagine this: you’ve been the victim of a car accident. The person behind you rear-ended your car, damaging the grill and headlights. Thankfully, you have insurance. However, when you take your car to the repair shop, your insurance company denies your claim because they expect you to replace the damaged parts with parts from a newer model year car, despite being the same brand.
This sounds absurd, right? Yet, this is exactly the situation many homeowners are facing with roof repairs. When their roof is damaged and requires repairs, they discover their shingles have been discontinued. Insurance companies are denying claims, insisting they use new shingles, regardless of compatibility.
Why This is Problematic
There are several reasons why using new shingles to repair a roof with discontinued shingles is problematic:
- Size and Shape Discrepancies: Discontinued shingles and their replacements, although possibly from the same brand, often differ in size and shape. Simply cutting new shingles to fit the size of the old ones creates an improper seal, compromising the entire roof’s integrity and potentially leading to future leaks and damage.
- Improper Installation: Roofing requires expertise and specific installation techniques for each shingle type. Using mismatched shingles forces roofers to deviate from these established methods, further increasing the risk of leaks and roof failure.
- Warranty Issues: Most shingle manufacturers offer warranties on their products. However, these warranties are often voided if the shingles are not installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Using mismatched shingles can invalidate the warranty, leaving the homeowner responsible for any future repairs.
Fighting Back Against Insurance Denials
Homeowners facing such denials from their insurance companies should not back down. Here are some steps to take:
- Review Your Policy: Familiarize yourself with your homeowner’s insurance policy and understand the specific coverage for roof repairs.
- Contact Your Adjuster: Discuss the issue with your insurance adjuster and explain the incompatibility of new shingles with your existing roof.
- Seek Professional Help: Consult with a qualified roofer who can explain the problems associated with using mismatched shingles and provide documentation to support your claim.
- Don’t Settle: If your insurance company remains persistent in denying your claim, don’t be afraid to fight back. You may need to file an appeal or contact a lawyer specializing in insurance disputes.
By understanding the issue of discontinued shingles and the problems it creates, homeowners can be better prepared to fight for the proper repairs their roof deserves. Remember, your roof is a vital part of your home’s protection, and ensuring a proper repair with compatible materials is crucial for maintaining the integrity and value of your property.
What if my siding is discontinued?
If the siding on your house is no longer available, don’t worry! You’ve got a few options:
- Hunt for Stock: Look around at different stores or outlets to see if they still have some of the discontinued siding. Give local lumber yards or big home improvement stores like Lowe’s, Menards, and The Home Depot a call to check if they might have some left.
- Quick Fixes: If your siding is damaged, you can do some temporary fixes. Use a utility knife to cut out the damaged part and remove it with a zip tool. Then, you can attach a new piece of siding with screws or nails and secure it in place with the zip tool.
- Consider Replacement: If you can’t find an exact match, think about replacing all of the siding. This could be a chance to upgrade to something more durable and modern.
- Partial Replacement: If swapping out all of the siding isn’t possible, you can replace just the sections that are really worn out.
Just a friendly reminder, it’s a good idea to chat with a professional before making any big decisions about your siding. They can give you advice that fits your situation and help you figure out what’s best for your home.
How matching Works for insurance claims in the state of Georgia?
Insurance adjusters might say Georgia is not a matching state to limit the amount of coverage provided. Matching originally referred to color matching due to fading or aging wear and tear. For example, if a shingle on a roof needs to be replaced, the adjuster might argue that the new shingle doesn’t have to exactly match the surrounding shingles because they will eventually fade to the same color anyway.
However, Georgia is actually a uniform appearance state. This means that the insurance company cannot leave your property in a worse condition after a loss than it was before the loss. So, even if they technically don’t have to perfectly match the new materials to the old ones, they cannot use materials that are so different that it reduces the value of your home. For example, they cannot replace part of a painted wall with a completely different colored paint.
Insurance companies might try to use policy language to avoid paying for matching materials. They might say that the policy excludes coverage for matching due to discontinuation, obsolescence, or texture, color, or size differences. However, the video argues that the policy language typically requires the insurance company to replace the materials with like kind and quality. Like kind and quality means the same type of material with the same appearance and lasting quality.
For example, if the shingles on your roof are Atlas Challengers, which are no longer being manufactured, the insurance company cannot replace them with a different type of shingle, such as a laminate shingle, even if it is a 30-year product. They need to replace the shingles with a similar type of shingle that is as close as possible in appearance and quality to the original shingles.
So that is why we recommend you to get a claims professional involved as soon as possible in your claim if you have a loss in Georgia. This will help ensure that you get the coverage you are entitled to.