Yeah, the sump pump thing caught me off guard too. Makes me wonder—are they just as picky about other stuff like water heaters or electrical panels? I once had a friend whose claim got denied because their roof shingles weren't "up to spec," whatever that means. Seems like insurers always find some obscure detail to trip you up... guess it's their way of keeping payouts low.
Actually, from my experience, insurers aren't necessarily trying to nitpick every detail—they're covering their backsides. Roofing claims especially are tricky because manufacturers have specific installation guidelines. If the shingles weren't installed according to those specs, insurers can deny claims since improper installation can shorten roof life significantly. I've seen homeowners caught off guard by this before... always good to double-check your contractor's credentials and make sure they're certified with the shingle manufacturer. Saves headaches down the road.
That's a really good point about checking contractor certifications. I learned the hard way myself—had a roof installed years ago, and when issues popped up, the insurer pointed straight to installation errors. Definitely pays to be thorough upfront... saves stress later on.
Had a similar issue with a deck build—contractor seemed legit, but turns out his license had lapsed. Insurance wouldn't budge on coverage due to "improper installation." Lesson learned... always double-check credentials yourself, even if they look good on paper.
Ugh, reading your post gave me flashbacks to when we had our roof redone last year. Thought we'd done everything right—checked reviews, references, and all that jazz—but turns out we missed the fine print on our insurance policy about "approved materials." Have you checked if your policy has specific clauses about contractor licensing or approved installation methods? Ours did, and it was buried deep in the paperwork.
Honestly, insurance companies seem to have endless ways to wiggle out of coverage. Did you try appealing their decision at all? I've heard sometimes a formal appeal with documentation or even getting a second opinion from another expert can help sway things in your favor. Might be worth looking into if you haven't already.
Also curious—did the contractor offer any kind of warranty or guarantee on their work? Even if their license lapsed, they might still honor some kind of workmanship warranty. I know ours had something like that (thankfully didn't need it), so maybe double-check your contract?
Anyway, totally agree with you on the credential-checking thing. It's crazy how easy it is for someone to look legit but slip through the cracks. Makes me wonder if there's a better way homeowners can verify licenses without jumping through hoops every time...
