Start with your policy and the actual notice
If your insurer has asked about your roof, gather the policy, renewal correspondence, and any inspection request before making a roofing decision. Write down the response date shown in the notice and ask the insurer to explain anything unclear. A contractor can help document observed roof conditions and proposed work. Ask your insurer directly what those documents mean for your specific coverage.
Seven questions worth putting in writing
Use your own property and policy details when asking these questions. Request written answers and keep the name of the person who responded.
- What roof information is missing from my file?
- What installation date and material do your records show?
- Are you requesting a particular inspection or report?
- What concerns about condition need to be addressed?
- How should I submit documentation of previous repairs?
- If I replace the roof, what completion records do you want?
- Are there policy terms or proposed changes I should review with my insurance professional?
Separate a roofing proposal from an insurance decision
Do not choose a material based only on a promised premium reduction. Give the insurer the proposed product and installation information and ask for its own response. Likewise, ask for clarification before treating roof age as an automatic replacement instruction. Keep inspection findings, roofing estimates, and policy correspondence together so that everyone works from the same facts. If you receive conflicting explanations, seek a qualified insurance professional to help review your specific documents before committing to a project.
Document the condition before deciding the scope.
After a storm, begin with observations you can make safely from inside or from the ground. Record where you see water or visible damage and when you first noticed it. Roof findings, construction recommendations and insurance coverage are separate questions that should be documented separately.
When arranging the assessment
Describe active leaks, affected rooms and visible exterior changes. Share photos you already have, earlier roof records and the approximate timing of the event. Ask about current availability and temporary protection separately from the permanent repair scope.
Read the supporting guidance: IBHS: roof weathering and maintenance
