It’s that time of year, assessing your home’s exterior, getting ready for winter and you want to get your roof inspected, just in case. Well, what happens when a contractor tells you the shingles on your roof are discontinued? There are some contractors who try to persuade home owners to contact their insurance company, promising them a new roof because of the discontinued shingles. (We’ve seen it all too often) We always warn against contacting your agent until you get at least more than one opinion. Believe it or not, just because your shingles are no longer on the market, you don’t need to replace the entire roof, if minimal damage is found. Insurance companies typically will not pay for a new roof just because the shingles needed for a repair don’t match your existing, discontinued shingle. To be blunt, it’s just not their problem if your shingles are not an exact match. Their job is to ensure the safety, not aesthetics, of your home.
What are your options?
Whether you choose to file a claim or not, if repairs are needed, the repairs can still be done. The contractor will match your existing shingles, to the best of their ability, to a shingle that’s currently on the market. Work closely with the contractor, look at samples and hold up to your existing roof to get the best color match. Don’t just leave it to your contractor to match the colors. The results may not be to your liking. If an entire roof replacement is deemed necessary then, of course, you will be able to choose any shingle you’d like.
Again, never contact your insurance company based on one opinion. As we always recommend, get more than one estimate and remain vigilant by doing your research on each contractor. This will only benefit you in the long run.
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