How To: Write a Shingle Roof Claim Dispute Letter

Receiving a lowball offer or an outright denial for your shingle roof claim can be infuriating. Your insurance adjuster may offer to pay for a small patch, claiming the rest of the roof is undamaged, even when you know a full replacement is required. This is a common tactic used to underpay legitimate claims, especially when dealing with discontinued shingles or issues that require a public adjuster's expertise. Before you consider hiring a property damage lawyer, there is a powerful step you can take yourself: writing a formal claim dispute letter. A well-written letter that cites building codes and manufacturer specifications can often be the key to overturning a bad decision and getting your commercial roofing or residential roof claim fully approved.

Sample Roof Claim Dispute Letter

Here is a sample letter structured to dismantle the insurance company's weak arguments and demand the full replacement you are owed.

By Email and By Certified Mail

Claims Department

Coverage4U Insurance

Insurance Company's Street Address

Insurance Company's City, State, Zip Code

Insurance Company's Email

RE: Claim Number: [Insert Your Claim Number]

Policyholder: [Your Name]

Date of Loss: [Insert Date of Loss]

Formal Dispute of Claim Settlement and Demand for Full Roof Replacement

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is a formal dispute of the settlement you have offered for my recent roofing claim. Your decision to pay for the replacement of only 128 shingles on my property is an inadequate resolution that fails to properly indemnify me according to the terms of my policy.

The core issue is that my roof has a discontinued Shingle Roofing Specialists Inc Brand 20-year 3-tab shingle. This fact makes a "patch" repair impossible without violating both the shingle manufacturer's specifications and the legally adopted building codes for my area.

The International Residential Code (IRC), which is the law in this jurisdiction, is very clear on this matter. IRC Section R905.1 mandates that "Roof coverings shall be applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section and the manufacturer’s installation instructions." This means any repair performed on my roof must follow the guidelines set by the Shingle Roofing Specialists Inc Brand.

Shingle Roofing Specialists Inc, and shingle manufacturers in general, have published clear reasons why mixing new shingles with old, discontinued ones is not a viable or recommended practice:

1. Brittleness and Collateral Damage: Shingles become brittle with age. Any attempt to lift the existing shingles to replace the damaged ones will cause the surrounding, currently undamaged shingles to crack and break. A repair that causes more damage is not an acceptable solution.

2. Dimensional and Functional Mismatch: Discontinued shingles cannot be matched in size and dimension by new products. Attempting to force a fit compromises the roof's water-shedding capabilities and invalidates any warranty, leading to a high risk of future leaks.

3. Failure to Restore Pre-Loss Condition: My policy requires you to restore my property to its pre-loss condition. A roof with a mismatched, "checkerboard" appearance has a significantly diminished curb appeal and market value. I am entitled to a roof with a uniform appearance, not a patchwork quilt.

   
   

Your proposed repair of 128 shingles is not a legitimate solution. It directs a contractor to perform work that violates the manufacturer's own recommendations and, as a result, violates the International Residential Code. Forcing me to accept a non-compliant repair that will damage my property and reduce its value is a failure to meet your contractual obligation to make me whole.

Therefore, I demand a full and immediate approval for the replacement of the entire roof system. This is the only remedy that will properly restore my property to its pre-loss condition in a manner that is compliant with building codes and industry standards.

I require your substantive written response to this demand within ten (10) business days of your receipt of this letter. This response must address the specific building code and manufacturer compatibility issues raised herein. If I do not receive a satisfactory response, I will be forced to pursue all available remedies to protect my interests.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Roof Claim

Ultimately, you do not have to accept an unfair settlement for your damaged roof. A powerful, well-documented dispute letter is your critical first step in fighting back and can often be more effective than immediately calling a property damage lawyer. By structuring your argument logically and citing authoritative sources, you shift from a passive policyholder to an active advocate for your own claim. If your letter doesn't produce the desired result, remember that this is just the beginning of the fight, and it may be time to engage a professional public adjuster who can escalate the dispute, manage your commercial roofing claim, or, if necessary, help you invoke the appraisal clause with an expert insurance appraiser.

Here is a simple outline to follow when writing your own dispute letter:

1. State Your Purpose Clearly: Begin with a formal declaration that you are disputing their settlement offer for your claim.

2. Identify the Core Problem: Specify the exact reason a simple repair is inadequate, such as a discontinued shingle that makes a match impossible.

3. Cite Authoritative Sources: Reference legally adopted building codes (like the International Residential Code) and the shingle manufacturer’s own installation instructions to prove a patch repair is non-compliant.

4. Demand a Specific Remedy: Do not be vague. Clearly state that you demand a full and complete replacement of the entire roof system.

5. Set a Firm Deadline: Require a substantive, written response to the issues you have raised within a specific timeframe, such as ten business days.