If your roof has been damaged by a storm and you’ve filed an insurance claim, you might find that your insurance company only wants to cover patchwork repairs instead of replacing the entire roof. You could accept their decision, but a better option might be to learn more about your rights under Tennessee’s matching law.

At Shinglesmiths Roofing, we’ve been helping homeowners understand their roof damage insurance options for over a decade. Now, we want to help you understand how Tennessee's matching law can impact your claim.

What is Tennessee’s Matching Law?

Effective from October 9, 2017, Tennessee’s matching law ensures that your home maintains a uniform appearance after repairs. Law 0780-01-05-.10(1)(b) states:

"When a loss requires replacement of items and the replaced items do not match in quality, color, or size, the insurer shall replace items so as to conform to a reasonably uniform appearance according to the applicable policy provisions. This applies to interior and exterior losses. The insured shall not bear any cost over the applicable deductible, if any."

In simple terms, your insurance company must cover the cost to ensure that the repaired or replaced parts of your home match the existing appearance. For instance, if there’s water damage in your living room that extends to adjacent rooms, the insurance must cover repainting all affected areas to ensure uniformity.

How Does the Matching Law Affect Your Roof Insurance Claim?

Now that you understand the basics of the matching law, let’s talk about its specific implications for your roof damage claim. If your roof shingles are damaged, the insurance company must replace the entire roof if matching shingles are unavailable. This could be due to the shingles being discontinued, out of production, or simply weathered differently.

Utilizing the Matching Law for Your Roof Damage Insurance Claim

To leverage the matching law for your roof claim, you’ll need an ITEL report from ITEL Laboratories Inc. This report identifies the specific color and manufacturer of your current shingles. If ITEL determines that matching shingles are unavailable, the matching law mandates that your insurance company covers the cost of a full roof replacement.

Here’s how the ITEL process works:

1. Send a shingle sample to ITEL Laboratories for analysis.
2. ITEL identifies the brand and color of your current shingles.
3. If matching shingles are unavailable, your roofing contractor and insurance company must consider a full roof replacement under the matching law.

The ITEL Report Process

Understanding the ITEL process is crucial. This process involves several steps and close collaboration with your roofing contractor. If you’re considering starting the ITEL process or want more details, we’ve written a comprehensive guide to help you.

Shinglesmiths Roofing assists homeowners daily in navigating the insurance claim process in Tennessee. We work closely with you and your insurance company to ensure your roof gets the care it needs.

Learn more about the ITEL process and how it can help your roof damage insurance claim by checking out our detailed article: What is an ITEL Report for a Roof Damage Insurance Claim?

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Stay informed and ensure you get the best outcome for your roof insurance claim by understanding Tennessee’s matching law and the ITEL process. For personalized assistance, contact Shinglesmiths Roofing today.