These are the 10 Most Commonly Overlooked Items in Insurance Adjuster Estimates for Metal Roof Systems
Metal roofing is a durable and long-lasting roofing option that can protect a property for decades. However, when it comes to insurance claims for metal roofs, things can get complicated. Many insurance adjusters are inexperienced in writing accurate estimates for metal roofs, and this can lead to important items being overlooked or omitted from their proposed settlement. Supplement these 10 most overlooked items in metal roof estimates.
1. Metal Roof Panels: Don’t Settle for Generic “Metal Roofing”
One of the most important parts of a metal roof system is the panels themselves. Insurance adjusters will often choose the generic “Metal Roofing” line item from their estimating software, ignoring all of the other available metal panel options in the list below it. This can lead to an inaccurate panel type as well as thickness/gauge. It is important to ensure that the panels being estimated are not an inferior type or a lesser gauge than those currently in use.
2. Battens: Providing Support and Preventing Flexing
Battens are often required for metal roof installations. They are used to provide support and prevent the panels from flexing. Insurance adjusters may not include battens in their estimates as they are often not aware that they even exist. If battens are currently installed, then they should be included in the adjuster’s estimate. Omitting them could lead to a subpar installation and lead them to fail prematurely.
3. Underlayment or Vapor Barrier: Protecting Against Moisture Damage
Underlayment or vapor barrier is a critical component of a metal roof system. It is installed to prevent moisture from penetrating the roof and entering the interior of the property. Insurance adjusters may not include underlayment or vapor barriers in their estimates, thereby leaving the property vulnerable to moisture damage.
4. Eave Closure Strips: Keeping Out Insects, Vermin, and Rain
Eave closure strips fill the gap between the raised corrugations of the metal roof panels and the roof substrate to keep out insects, vermin and wind-driven rain. Eave closure strips are not always located only at the eaves, but also sometimes at the ridge as well. They are often overlooked by insurance adjusters in their estimates as they don’t even know they exist. Eave closure strips are never included in the line item for metal roof panels; they are always an add on cost.
5. Metal Eave Trim: Sealing the Edges and Providing a Finished Look
Metal eave trim is an essential component of a metal roof system. It is used to seal the edges of the roof and provide a finished look. Insurance adjusters often are focused more on the metal roof panels themselves and tend to overlook the existence of metal eave trim. Contrary to some claims, metal eave trim is never included in the line item for metal roof panels; it is always an add on cost.
6. Metal Rake Trim: Sealing the Edges at the Gables
Metal rake trim is used to seal the edges of the roof at the gables. Like metal eave trim (see above), insurance adjusters may not include metal rake trim in their estimates because they are more focused on the metal roof panels themselves. Again, metal rake trim is never included in the line item for metal roof panels; it is always an add on cost.
7. Metal Ridge Cap: A Critical Component of the Metal Roof System
The metal ridge cap is installed at the peak of the roof and is an important part of the metal roof system. Insurance adjusters often will overlook the metal ridge cap, thinking that it is included in the line item for metal roof panels. Metal ridge cap is never included in the line item for metal roof panels; it is always an add on cost.
8. Metal Ridge End Caps: Covering the Ends of the Metal Ridge Cap
Metal ridge end caps are used to cover the ends of the metal ridge cap at the gables. These are one of those little details that adjusters tend to overlook. Metal ridge end caps are never included in the line item for metal roof panels; they are always an add on cost.
9. Metal Valley: Preventing Water Penetration at Intersecting Roof Planes
Metal valley is a type of flashing used where two roof planes intersect to prevent water from penetrating the roof system. It is often forgotten by insurance adjusters in their estimates. Metal valley is never included in the line item for metal roof panels; it is always an add on cost.
10. Flashings: Preventing Leaks at Roof Penetrations and Transitions
Flashings are installed at roof penetrations, pitch transitions, and roof-to-wall intersections to help prevent leaks. Insurance adjusters often forget about these flashings. Flashings are never included in the line item for metal roof panels; they are always an add on cost.
Conclusion: Ensuring Accurate and Fair Metal Roof Estimates
In conclusion, metal roofs are a bit of a “different animal” that insurance adjusters are often not fully familiar with. It is important to ensure that metal roof systems are estimated accurately so that the replacement roof meets or exceeds the quality of the roof that is damaged. By keeping these 10 most commonly overlooked/omitted items in mind, you can ensure that your metal roof project will be estimated accurately and fairly. If you need help supplementing these 10 most overlooked items in metal roof estimates, or if you need help writing a metal roof estimate from scratch, please Contact Us today for more details.