When an insurer lowballs or denies your roof claim, it’s not the final word. Calgary homeowners have real options for disputing the decision, though how long resolution takes depends on your coverage and the specifics of the case.
How Long Do Roof Claim Disputes Take?
A denial or undervalued roof insurance claim may require you to invest in a roof repair or replacement, which can leave homeowners out of pocket in the thousands of dollars. Typically, a roof insurance claim dispute can take 30 to 150+ days to resolve; more complex cases can take 6 to 24 months.
Every case is different, and homeowners can dispute a claim refusal by following the guidelines below.
3 Types of Roof Insurance Claim Disputes
Most Calgary roofing insurance claim disputes fall into 3 categories: scope, value, and coverage, each involving a different claim issue.
- Contractor Scope: An adjuster or roofing contractor inspects the roof damage and looks for any items missing from the original documentation. Small omissions can turn into hefty costs later.
- Insurer/Adjuster Value: The carrier agrees on the scope of damage but prices it below Calgary market rates, often because their pricing software relies on national data that hasn’t kept pace with local labour and material costs.
- Coverage: Review whether any items or issues were missed during the initial inspection and whether they are included in the policy response.
The 5-Step Process for a Roof Claim Dispute
While a claim dispute doesn’t get resolved overnight, the insured doesn’t have to accept the outcome outright and has options to rectify the issue. Follow the steps below to seek a remedy for your insurance claim.
- Supplemental Claim: Submit a written claim to your insurance company listing the items missed in the original scope. Include photo evidence, inspection findings, Calgary market pricing for disputed items, and your roofing contractor’s scope, including the disputed items.
- Second Opinion: A HAAG-certified or other inspector can provide this. You often get another inspector’s opinion when your insurance carrier disputes the damage classification or new damage appears after an attempted repair. Often the homeowner is not charged for the second inspection, but it depends on the situation.
- Formal Scope Dispute: If supplements and a second opinion don’t close the gap, escalate through the carrier’s formal process: request a written supervisor review with all your documentation and policy citations in one submission, ask for a response timeline, and move forward only if that doesn’t work. Stay polite and follow the carrier’s escalation order rather than skipping levels, since that tends to move things along faster. Avoid signing any final-release paperwork or accepting verbal-only commitments while the dispute is still open.
- Policy Appraisal Clause: Most Alberta home insurance policies include an appraisal clause for value disputes. When scope is agreed but pricing isn’t, each side appoints an appraiser, and a binding umpire decision settles any disagreement. It typically resolves in 60 to 120 days, making it a faster, cheaper alternative to litigation for disputes in the $5,000 to $50,000 range that stall at supervisor review.
- General Insurance Ombudsman (GIO): A free, independent, third-party review is the last step in the claim dispute process for homeowners once the other avenues have been used. The review includes your insurance carrier’s conduct, such as poor communication or failure to follow claims procedures. The result can include a recommendation but not a forced settlement. This step complements appraisal.
Ready for Help With Claim Documentation?
Are you looking for help with your claim documentation and inspection? A. Clark Roofing and Siding supports you through the insurance claims process. They provide a range of roof and siding services for Calgary and Edmonton customers. Contact A. Clark Roofing & Siding today and speak with one of our experts at 1-587-819-1255.
