- Yeah, percentage deductibles caught me off guard too—didn't even realize they existed until I started shopping around for my first policy.
- Ended up reading way more fine print than I ever planned to, but glad I did. Saved me from a similar surprise when we had heavy winds last spring.
- Ladder jokes aside, regular roof inspections really do pay off. Found a few loose shingles early and fixed them myself—way cheaper than waiting for actual damage.
- Good call on switching policies. It's amazing how much difference there is between providers when it comes to deductibles and coverage details.
- Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience...makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one who got blindsided by insurance jargon.
I hear you on the roof inspections—caught a small leak myself after a heavy rainstorm last month. Definitely cheaper to patch it early than deal with water damage later. Curious though, anyone know if insurance typically covers DIY fixes, or do they insist on professional repairs to honor claims down the road? Still figuring out what's worth tackling myself and when it's smarter to call someone in...
"Curious though, anyone know if insurance typically covers DIY fixes, or do they insist on professional repairs to honor claims down the road?"
From what I've gathered (still figuring this out myself), insurance companies usually prefer professional repairs because they want documentation and proof that the work was done properly. DIY fixes might save money upfront, but if something goes wrong later, insurers can get picky about coverage. I patched a gutter myself last spring—worked fine—but my agent hinted strongly that bigger stuff like roofs should probably be left to pros...
Yeah, I’ve heard the same thing—insurance companies are sticklers for paperwork and receipts. Like you said,
That’s been my experience too. I’ve helped my uncle patch up a few shingles after a storm, but when he had to file a claim later, they asked for photos, invoices, the whole nine yards. If it’s just minor stuff, maybe you can get away with it, but for anything major, they really want proof a licensed contractor did the work. Kind of a pain, but I get why they do it.“my agent hinted strongly that bigger stuff like roofs should probably be left to pros...”
Title: Insurance Wants Pros for Roofs, But DIY Isn’t Always a Bad Idea
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think the whole “must use a licensed contractor” thing is kind of overblown. Sure, insurance companies want their paperwork and proof, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do some of the work yourself—especially if you know what you’re doing. I’ve seen plenty of people handle repairs on their own, document everything with photos and receipts for materials, and still get their claims paid out. It’s not like there’s some law saying homeowners can’t touch their own roofs.
The bigger issue, in my opinion, is that the insurance industry just wants to cover themselves. They push for pros because it’s easier for them to verify the work and avoid fraud. But let’s be real: not everyone has the cash to pay a contractor upfront, especially when deductibles are already sky-high. Plus, some of these “licensed” guys cut corners anyway. Just because someone has a business card doesn’t mean they’ll do a better job than a careful homeowner.
I patched my own roof after a hailstorm last year—took tons of photos before, during, and after, kept all my Home Depot receipts, and wrote up a little summary of what I did. My adjuster didn’t even blink. Maybe I got lucky, but I think if you’re organized and thorough, you don’t always need to shell out for a pro.
That said, if you’re dealing with something major—like structural damage or a full replacement—yeah, maybe it’s smarter to call in the experts. But for smaller stuff? I say don’t let the insurance scare tactics push you into spending more than you have to. Just document everything like your life depends on it... because with insurance companies, sometimes it does.
