Roof damage found during inspection - Can seller file claim?

Question

We are in our due diligence period now and one of the biggest issues we found during the home inspection was more roof damage than we originally thought. I have heard that the seller can file a claim with her insurance to get this potentially repaired/replaced for cheap or free. Does anyone have experience with this?

I've already looked up a few licensed roofing contractors in our area with experience dealing with insurance claims. I plan to call them up tomorrow (Monday) and see if they can come out to provide a free estimate ASAP.

Also, I plan to ask the seller to provide us with any documentation from any previous roof maintenance and ask if she has any warranties for the roof already in place.

Any other ideas/tips?

Joe Cassandra · Answer

When we sold a property in Texas, the sellers asked for a roof replacement.

Insurance picked up the tab, but the insurance company (even 3 years later) will not allow us back on a policy...

Unfortunate, because they were a great insurance company...one of those smaller affiliates owned by the big dogs, but the rates were cheaper. (called Encompass).

So be ready to use another insurance company for your next purchases :)

Stephen Witkowski · Answer

@Taylar Caraway - you can file the claim. However, remember it needs to be approved (which I assume is based on the seller's insurance).I just finished reading another story of a buyer who purchased a house that had the roof installed improperly. He had already bought the house and his insurance wouldn't cover it. You're in a different situation since you're in your due diligence period, but it's something I think you should keep an eye out for.

Jonas Mai · Answer

Taylar,

I'm an Insurance adjuster.   Yes you can, I do claims that are filed for this reason all the time.  A warranty would only take hold with a defect in the shingle or in some cases a bad install.

Just work it into the deal ask them to file the claim, maybe even offer to cover the deductible for a lower price.  Sometimes a claim has already been filed and paid and the seller is trying to take ins money without repair.

Is the roof hail damaged?  If so what about window wraps gutters a/c etc...?