Why review your policy now, before anything happens
When a claim gets denied or underpaid, it's rarely because the homeowner did something wrong. It's usually a line in the policy they never read. It might be a percentage deductible, a roof schedule, a mold cap, or a missing endorsement. By the time the adjuster points to it, it's too late to change it.
November is renewal season for a lot of Georgia homeowners, and the first hard freeze is coming. Burst pipes are one of the most common winter claims in metro Atlanta. It's a good time to know what you have.
The 8 coverage gaps Amanda sees most often in Georgia
These are the gaps that show up again and again on the denied and underpaid claims Amanda handles across Cobb, Cherokee, Bartow, Fulton, Paulding, and Gwinnett.
01 Your roof is paid at depreciated value
Many Georgia policies now pay for an older roof at actual cash value, not replacement cost. Some use a roof payment schedule that shrinks the check every year the roof ages. A 17-year-old roof can come back at a fraction of what a new one costs.
Some policies also exclude "cosmetic" hail damage, like dents in metal roofing or gutters that don't leak yet.
Ask your agent: Is my roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash value? Is there a roof schedule or cosmetic damage exclusion?02 Your wind and hail deductible is a percentage
A lot of homeowners think they have a $1,000 deductible. Then the hail claim comes, and the wind and hail deductible turns out to be 1%, 2%, or more of the dwelling limit. On a $400,000 dwelling limit, 2% is $8,000 out of your pocket before the policy pays a dollar.
Ask your agent: Is my wind and hail deductible a flat dollar amount or a percentage? What is it in dollars?03 Water backup isn't covered, or barely is
Water that backs up through a drain, sewer line, or a failed sump pump is usually excluded unless you add a water backup endorsement. Even with the endorsement, the limit is often small compared with a finished basement.
Ask your agent: Do I have water backup coverage? What's the limit, and is it enough for my basement?04 Flood is a separate policy
Your homeowners policy doesn't cover rising water from outside, like a creek, runoff, or standing water coming in at ground level. Flood coverage is a separate policy, and federal flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period before they start. You can't buy it the day the forecast turns bad.
Ask your agent: Am I in a flood zone? What would a flood policy cost me?05 Mold is capped at a small number
Even when a burst pipe or roof leak is covered, many policies cap mold remediation at a low limit. A mold job behind walls and under floors can blow through that cap quickly.
Ask your agent: Does my policy have a mold limit? Can I raise it?06 Code upgrades and rebuild cost aren't covered
After a big loss, the county can require repairs to meet current building code. That work is covered by ordinance or law coverage, and many policies include only a small percentage unless you add more.
Building costs have climbed fast. If your dwelling limit hasn't been checked in years, it may not be enough to rebuild your home today.
Ask your agent: How much ordinance or law coverage do I have? When was my dwelling limit last checked against rebuild cost?07 Your belongings are paid at depreciated value
If your personal property is covered at actual cash value, a five-year-old couch or TV is paid at what it's worth used, not what it costs to replace. Replacement cost on contents is often a small premium difference.
Ask your agent: Are my contents covered at replacement cost or actual cash value?08 Your living-expense limit runs out
If a fire or major water loss puts you out of the house, additional living expense pays for a rental or hotel while repairs happen. Big repairs in metro Atlanta can take many months, and some limits run out well before the work is done.
Ask your agent: How much additional living expense coverage do I have, and is there a time limit?For more on two of these, read roof-age denials in Kennesaw and Acworth and mold after a covered water loss.
How a free policy review works
- Send your declarations page. Upload it on the policy review page, or bring it to a call. The full policy with endorsements is even better.
- Talk with Amanda for about 20 minutes. She walks through your deductibles, roof coverage, water coverage, limits, and exclusions in plain English.
- Get your list of questions. You leave with the gaps she spotted and the exact questions to ask your agent.
What this review is, and what it isn't
It's a claim-readiness review from a licensed Georgia public adjuster. Amanda reads policies the way the carrier's adjuster will read them after a loss, so she knows where claims fall apart.
It isn't insurance shopping. Amanda doesn't sell insurance, doesn't recommend carriers, and won't tell you to buy, drop, or switch a policy. Any changes go through your own agent or insurance company.
“She conducted a most comprehensive analysis and review of the policies and provided me with detailed description of areas of concern and follow up questions in different categories to address with the insurance brokers. Based on this level of professional expertise and competency demonstrated, I highly recommend Amanda to anyone who has a claim. She really deserve 10 stars!”
Annandale, 5-star Google review. This homeowner came to Amanda with no claim at all.
What to have ready
- Your declarations page, or your latest renewal packet
- Any endorsements or riders, like water backup or roof schedules
- Your roof's age, if you know it
- Anything that worries you about the house, like an old water heater, a finished basement, or a big tree over the roof
Find the gap before a denial does
Free policy review for Georgia homeowners, landlords, and small business owners. No claim needed, nothing to sign. Amanda Denatala, Georgia license 777802.
Frequently asked questions
Is the policy review really free?
Yes. There's no cost, no contract, and nothing to sign. Amanda offers it because the best time to find a coverage gap is before a storm, not after a denial.
Will Amanda tell me to switch insurance companies?
No. Amanda doesn't sell insurance and doesn't earn anything from any carrier or agent. She shows you what your policy says and gives you a list of questions to take to your own agent, who can explain your options.
Do I need to have a claim?
No. This review is for Georgia property owners who don't have a claim yet. If you already have a claim, use the free claim review instead.
What kind of policies do you look at?
Homeowners, landlord and rental property, condo, and small business property policies in Georgia. That's the coverage Amanda works with every day when a loss happens.
Does a review contact my insurance company?
No. A review with Amanda is between you and Amanda. Nothing is reported to your insurance company.
What should I send?
Your declarations page at minimum. The full policy, including endorsements, is even better. Your renewal packet usually has everything.
This article is general information, not legal advice or insurance advice, and it doesn't change the terms of any policy. Coverage depends on your specific policy language. Amanda Denatala is a licensed Georgia public adjuster (Georgia license 777802) and does not sell insurance.