Why Are All My Neighbors Getting New Roofs (And I’m Not)?

For homeowners, one of the most frustrating things might be understanding why all your neighbors are getting a new roof and you’re not. The situation happens all the time. There’s a storm that rolls through your neighborhood and suddenly there are roofing companies lined up on your street. Each of your neighbors is seemingly getting a brand new roof and by the time it gets to you, your insurance company doesn’t approve of it.

Here are the factors that might affect that:

1. Your Insurance Carrier/Adjuster

Not all insurance companies see damage the same way because it is such a subjective field. Some companies may quickly approve your claim for a new roof while other companies make it impossibly difficult. Some companies agree to the damages your roofing contractor points out while others fight every bit. As roofing contractors, there are some insurance carriers we recommend over others.

The best thing you can do is vet them yourself by asking these 5 questions.

2. Steepness of Your Roof

This is partly science, but steeper roofs generally sustain less damage because of the angle of impact. It may seem insignificant but it really does impact the pressure of hail against your shingle. As such, flatter roofs will take on the full weight of hail damage.

3. Age of Your Roof and Roof Materials

These two factors go hand-in-hand, but oftentimes the pre-storm condition of your roof was already different than your neighbors. For instance, if your home is newer than theirs or you’ve had a new roof replaced more recently then it likely can withstand damage better. Consequently, the exact same storm may not cause the same level of damage to your house and it did to theirs.

4. Trees and Surrounding “Protectors”

Many homeowners may forget to calculate that surrounding trees will often lessen the impact of hail and severe weather. As hail is caught on branches or leaves, it does not cause nearly as much damage as an unobstructed roof. As such, homes with large trees will sustain less damage…unless a tree falls on your home, of course.

Summary

Even if all your neighbors are getting a new roof, there is no guarantee that you will get a new roof. You might have a different insurance carrier, different roof slope, different roof age, or different surrounding elements. Feeling frustrated is valid, however, it helps to understand the other factors affecting it.

As your roofing contractors, we will always advocate for you with your insurance carrier. If you ever need a free inspection or secondary opinion, give us a call at (402) 889-3381 to schedule a time!