Questions to Ask Before Filing a Claim

Educate and prepare yourself by understanding your insurance policy before you need it

Be Prepared: Know Your Coverage Before You Need It

Understanding your insurance policy BEFORE you need to file a claim is crucial. It helps you avoid surprises and ensures you know exactly what to expect during the inspection and claims process.

⚠️Important: The email template below is NOT for filing a claim — it's simply for asking your insurance agent for clarification on your existing policy.

Why These Questions Matter

1. Policy Type (RCV vs ACV)

RCV (Replacement Cost Value) covers the full cost to replace your roof with similar materials. ACV (Actual Cash Value) only covers the depreciated value, meaning you'll pay more out of pocket.

2. Deductible

Your deductible is what you pay before insurance kicks in. It can be a flat amount (like $1,000) or a percentage of your home's insured value (like 1% of $300,000 = $3,000).

3. Code Coverage

Building codes change over time. Code coverage ensures your insurance will pay to bring your roof up to current standards, not just replace what was there.

4. Cosmetic Damage Exclusion

Some policies exclude coverage for damage that's only cosmetic (like dents that don't affect function). Knowing this upfront helps set proper expectations.

5. Repair Timeline

Most policies give you a specific timeframe to complete repairs. Knowing this helps you plan accordingly and avoid missing deadlines that could affect your coverage.

Email Template for Your Insurance Agent

Important: This is not filing a claim — I'm simply asking for clarification on my policy so I know what to expect if I ever did. Hello [Agent's Name], I'm reviewing my policy and just need some clarification (not filing a claim). Could you please confirm the following for me: Policy Type – Do I have an RCV (Replacement Cost Value) or an ACV (Actual Cash Value) policy? (RCV is best — ACV usually means less coverage.) Deductible – What is my hail and wind deductible? (Is it a percentage of my home's insured value, or a flat dollar amount? Please confirm the percentage or the exact amount.) Code Coverage – Does my policy include code upgrades / law & ordinance coverage? (For example: drip edge, ice & water shield, insulation, etc. if my roof needs to be brought up to current code.) Cosmetic Damage – Does my policy have a cosmetic damage exclusion? (This usually refers to dents in vents or gutters that don't affect functionality. It's not the end of the world if I have this exclusion, but it's good to know up front.) Repair Timeline – How much time do I have to complete repairs after a covered loss? (Is it counted from the date of the storm or the date I file a claim? 2–3 years is preferred.) If you're unable to clarify any of these items, please provide me with a copy of my Declarations Page and/or my full policy so I can review the details directly. Thank you!

Simply copy and paste this template into an email or text message to your insurance agent

A Note from Red Oak

Once you have your declarations page or full policy in hand — if your agent couldn't clearly answer the questions — we can have our trusted licensed public adjuster review your policy for you at no cost.

This happens more often than you'd think, and it gives you absolute clarity on your coverage.

Ready to Understand Your Coverage?

Don't wait until after a storm to understand your policy. Get clarity today.