The unthinkable has happened: a tree has fallen on your house during a storm, damaging a large portion of your shingles. You contact your homeowners’ insurance provider, and they tell you they’re going to replace the damaged portion—but can’t promise it will be an exact match. There’s a chance your roof might look patchy, but maybe if you stand far enough away and squint…
How can this happen? Are insurance providers allowed to not restore your home to its exact pre-loss condition? The answer is: sometimes, if you don’t have matching coverage as an add-on in your policy. Matching coverage ensures that repairs to your home stay uniform, even if only a small portion has been damaged.
What Exactly is Matching Coverage?
Matching coverage is an endorsement (also known as a rider) that can be added to your homeowner’s policy. This additional coverage means that if exterior elements of your home, such as your siding or roof, are damaged, your insurance company will cover the cost to entirely replace or redo them if the damaged materials can’t be matched.
For example: let’s say a storm comes through and knocks off half your shingles. You contact a roofing company to get an estimate on the repairs, but they tell you that the shingles on your home aren’t made anymore, and that your roof will need to be replaced entirely in order for all your shingles to match.
In this instance, having matching coverage means your insurance company will pay for the cost of replacing all the shingles on your roof, not just the damaged half. This prevents you from having to choose between having a mismatched home or paying for repairs entirely out of pocket.
Do All Homeowners Insurance Policies Offer Matching Coverage?
No, not all insurance policies offer matching coverage, so if this is something you’ve determined you want, you’ll want to double-check that it’s even available through your current insurance provider (or else you may want to switch policies).
In fact, some policies explicitly exclude matching coverage, while others may only include limited language surrounding it. This is because home insurance providers know how costly it is to replace a home’s roof and siding, and they want to give you as little money as possible. (They are a billion-dollar industry profiting off their customers, after all!)
What Are the Matching Coverage Laws in Wisconsin?
Some states have rules requiring surrounding “matching coverage”, and Wisconsin happens to be one of them. In Wisconsin, “matching laws” require insurance providers to replace an insurer’s damaged materials with those “of like size, kind, and quality”.
That means, if your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, your insurance company can’t choose the cheapest, lowest-quality shingles on the market—they need to replace your roof with shingles similar to the original quality.
This does not mean it needs to be an EXACT match, especially as it relates to color or type. However, it does mean the new shingles must match as closely as possible to the originals (while still considering what’s reasonably available). This also means you don’t NEED matching coverage to ensure a roof repair is completed with materials of a similar quality, but there are no promises it will be perfect.
Does Matching Coverage Only Apply to Roofing and Siding?
Although matching coverage is commonly associated with roofing and siding, that’s not the only thing it covers. It applies to any exterior features of your home, such as windows, soffits, chimneys, and fascia. If these elements suffer damage, they will also be repaired or replaced in a way that ensures your property maintains a uniform appearance.
However, matching coverage can NOT be used in events of things such as siding color differences caused by aging, fading, or natural wear and tear—it can only be a result of covered perils, such as fire, storm, or water damage.
Why Does Matching Coverage Matter?
Matching coverage may not seem necessary (and for some people, this is certainly true), but there are a few reasons to consider adding on matching coverage to your policy:
- Maintains aesthetic consistency: If you don’t have matching coverage, you might end up stuck with mismatched materials on your home, lowering your curb appeal.
- Helps market value: A home with mismatched roofing or siding may be undesirable to future buyers, potentially hurting its property value.
- Future cost savings: For some, the increase in premium for matching coverage is worth it for the money they’ll save in the long run if their roof or siding needs to be entirely replaced.
- Provides peace of mind: No matter what happens to your home, you can rest assured knowing that your home will be restored to its original condition (without you having the burden of a huge bill).
How to Determine if You Need Matching Coverage
Because matching coverage is an add-on, the premium increase may not make it worthwhile for everyone. When determining whether or not to get matching coverage, consider:
- The age of your home: Is your home older or newer? Older homes are often built with materials that are no longer available, making the need for matching coverage more important. Meanwhile, newer homes are built with readily accessible materials.
- Weather conditions where you live: How is the weather where you live? Southern/Central Wisconsin, for example, is prone to tornadoes, making it more likely your home will experience significant damage and need matching coverage.
- Homeowners’ association rules: If you belong to an HOA, most have rules regarding the exterior appearance of your home, and may require repairs to match (no matter the cost).
What to Do if Your Matching Coverage Claim is Denied
In the event your matching coverage claim gets denied, don’t panic! Oftentimes, insurance companies will find ways to unfairly deny your claim in hopes that you give up on receiving a settlement check (even if it’s rightfully deserved). If this happens, here’s what you should do:
- Understand the claim denial: Insurance companies are required to provide a written explanation detailing the reasons for their denial. Carefully review this document to identify the specific issues listed.
- Review your policy: Review your insurance policy to understand the details and exclusions of your matching coverage. Make sure that the claim you filed matches the terms outlined in your policy. Sometimes, simple misunderstandings or oversights can lead to denials.
- Gather more documentation: Revisit all the relevant documentation that you supplied for your claim, especially if it’s the reason for the denial. You may need to submit additional photos, videos, receipts, or repair estimates.
- Consider contacting a public adjuster: Consider hiring a trustworthy public adjuster, like Fortitude Public Adjusters. They’re insurance professionals who may be able to uncover details that were initially overlooked, allowing them to appeal the original claim denial.
Need Help With Matching Coverage? Contact Fortitude Today
If you need help navigating a matching coverage claim, then contact Fortitude Public Adjusters today. We’ll be by your side throughout the claims process, advocating on your behalf and negotiating with your insurance company to ensure your rights as a policyholder are protected.
