[Mleeja]

Please note, I am not defending the insurance companies or the homeowner. Just adding some insight to the conversation. For full disclosure, we had our roof replaced and the insurance company paid our claim.

We had our roof inspected at our request. It was not someone knocking on the door or leaving a door hanger. The company inspecting the roof told us there was evidence of storm damage. I am 68, with arthritis, and am not climbing up on a roof to verify what we were told. A claim was filed with the insurance company using the information and photos from the initial inspection. The insurance company sent THEIR inspector to look at the roof. He agreed with the initial report and our replacement was approved. I personally think the cost of the replacement was to much, but that is between the roofing and insurance companies. My deductible was the same (2% of house value) if the roof was $5000 or $20000.

Here is what I think is complicating the issue. At some point there was a code change from 3-tab to 4-tab shingles. Most of the roofs being replaced are 3-tab. If there is storm damage to a 3-tab roof, it cannot be repaired. You cannot replace just one shingle or one section. If the shingles are in bad shape, repairing one begets to repairing another, then another, then another, and before you know it the entire roof is replaced. Is it the insurance company’s responsibility to repair the one section, leaving the homeowner on the hook for the rest?