Am I out of my mind for feeling this way? Let me give you a quick background.
I’ve owned my home for five years, and the roof is known to have manufacturing defects (specifically, hardi-slate from the mid-90s). At the time I purchased the house, I had no idea the roof was defective; I just knew not to walk on it.
Recently, a storm caused some damage, leaving about a dozen tiles missing from one area of the roof. However, my insurance claim was denied because they cited the known defects in the material.
Here’s my argument: I’ve lived here for five years, and every insurance company I’ve dealt with has advised me to either repair roofs and decks or risk being dropped. My current insurer had five years to assess the roof and inform me that they wouldn’t cover it.
The agent kept bringing up hidden defects in the walls, but I reminded him that the issue is with the roof—it’s visible and accessible. All they needed to do was have someone evaluate it to determine insurance coverage. I’ve even been warned about potential drops due to exterior maintenance issues before.
At what point does it become the insurance company’s responsibility to conduct thorough due diligence on the property? This situation is in Hawaii, which might matter. If they had advised me to repair the roof or find new coverage, I would have accepted that. But now, after the fact, I’m really struggling with this outcome.
It sounds like you’re in a really frustrating situation, and it’s completely understandable to feel upset about the insurance company denying your claim. From what you’ve described, it seems like there’s a lack of communication and clarity regarding known defects and their responsibility.
Insurance companies do have a duty to investigate and assess properties properly, and if they were aware of the roof’s condition and didn’t communicate that to you, it raises some important questions about their due diligence. It’s also concerning that they’re citing defects in walls that are not visible when the issue is with a readily accessible roof.
You’re not crazy for questioning their decision, especially since you’ve been a responsible homeowner who was proactive about maintenance. It might be worth looking into your options for appealing their decision or consulting with a legal or insurance expert who can help clarify your rights in this situation. You deserve to have a clear understanding of what you’re dealing with, and it’s completely reasonable to expect your insurance to hold up their end of the bargain. Hang in there!