Big changes are coming for Oklahoma homeowners. With the passage of House Bill 1940, new roof damage repair rules are reshaping how insurance claims and property restorations are handled after storms and other damage. If you own a home in Oklahoma, it’s crucial to understand how this legislation could affect your rights, responsibilities, and repair costs.
At 5Coat Roofing & Construction, we’re here to make sense of it all. This guide breaks down the key parts of HB 1940, what it means, what’s changing, and what you should do now to stay protected and avoid costly surprises.
Key Takeaways
- Oklahoma House Bill 1940 introduces new roof damage repair rules that affect how insurance claims and repairs are handled after property damage.
- Homeowners may face changes in who is responsible for repairs, depending on the nature of the damage and the wording of their insurance policy.
- It’s more important than ever to review your homeowner’s insurance policy and understand how HB 1940 could impact future claims.
- Working with licensed, experienced roofing contractors is crucial to ensure compliance with the new law and avoid denied claims.
- 5Coat Roofing & Construction is here to help you navigate these changes with confidence and protect your home investment.
What is House Bill 1940?
Oklahoma House Bill 1940 is a recently enacted law that changes how insurance claims and property damage repairs are handled across the state. The bill is designed to provide greater protection and clarity for homeowners, especially after events like hailstorms, tornadoes, or other severe weather that lead to costly roof and property damage.
HB 1940 introduces new rules to improve transparency between insurance companies, contractors, and homeowners. It aims to reduce delays, prevent disputes, and ensure that roof damage repair and property damage repairs are managed fairly, with licensed professionals and proper documentation.
For Oklahoma homeowners, understanding HB 1940 is essential to make sure your insurance claims are handled correctly and that you aren’t left footing the bill due to miscommunication or legal changes.
Key Provisions of HB 1940
House Bill 1940 introduces several important changes to how insurance claims and property damage repairs are managed in Oklahoma. Whether you’re dealing with a roof damaged by hail, wind, or another covered event, these new provisions aim to make the process faster, fairer, and more transparent.
Below are the key areas where HB 1940 could impact your next insurance claim and home repair project:
1. Clearer Communication from Insurance Companies
What’s New: Insurers must now provide homeowners with detailed, written explanations of:
- The claims process
- What’s covered (and what’s not)
- How settlement decisions are made
Why It Matters: This increased transparency helps you fully understand your insurance policy and avoid surprises during roof damage repair or other property damage repairs.
2. Homeowner Control Over Insurance Benefits
What’s New: Contractors can no longer automatically take over your insurance benefits through “Assignment of Benefits” clauses.
Why It Matters: You now have to authorize any transfer of benefits in writing, giving you more control over repair decisions and helping prevent abuse or fraud during storm damage repairs.
3. Faster Insurance Claim Processing
What’s New: HB 1940 enforces strict timelines for how quickly insurance companies must respond, process, and settle claims.
Why It Matters: These deadlines help expedite roof damage repairs and reduce frustrating delays in restoring your home after a storm or other covered event.
4. Stronger Contractor Oversight and Quality Standards
What’s New: Contractors must now:
- Provide detailed, upfront estimates
- Follow new quality and compliance guidelines
- Adhere to fair, regulated practices
Why It Matters: These safeguards protect homeowners from poor workmanship and ensure your property damage repairs meet high standards, especially when it comes to roofing.
How Does HB 1940 Affect Roof Insurance Claims?
Oklahoma House Bill 1940 changes the way roof insurance claims are handled, giving homeowners more control, clearer information, and stronger legal protections. If your roof is damaged by hail, wind, or other covered events, this law directly impacts how your claim is filed, processed, and paid out.
Here’s how HB 1940 affects your roof insurance claims:
1. You Control Who Gets Paid. Not the Contractor
Before HB 1940, some contractors used “Assignment of Benefits” (AOB) clauses to take over the insurance payout process, sometimes without your full knowledge. Now, you must authorize any transfer of benefits in writing, ensuring you stay in control of your claim and who gets paid.
2. Insurance Companies Must Be More Transparent
HB 1940 requires insurers to provide clear, written explanations of your policy coverage, how claims are evaluated, and why they approve or deny certain items. This means no more vague denial letters or confusing claim breakdowns; you’ll now know exactly what’s covered and why.
3. Claims Must Be Processed Faster
The bill sets specific timelines for when insurance companies must respond to and settle roof damage claims. This helps ensure you’re not left waiting weeks or months for a decision, speeding up the repair process so you can protect your home faster.
4. Better Protection From Predatory Contractors
HB 1940 requires that contractors:
- Provide detailed, upfront estimates
- Follow quality standards
- Use licensed professionals for roof damage repair work
This gives you more leverage and recourse if the work is subpar or if the contractor doesn’t follow legal or ethical practices.
How HB 1940 Impacts Homeowners
Oklahoma House Bill 1940 brings meaningful changes that put more power in the hands of homeowners. Whether you’re dealing with roof damage from a storm or filing an insurance claim for other property repairs, this law is designed to make the process clearer, faster, and more homeowner-friendly.
More Control Over Insurance Claims
You’ll now have greater control over how your insurance benefits are used, especially when working with contractors. HB 1940 limits automatic “Assignment of Benefits” transfers, meaning contractors can’t take over your claim without your written approval. This gives you the final say in repair decisions and protects you from unauthorized or inflated charges.
Faster Claim Approvals and Repairs
Thanks to new time standards for insurers, you can expect quicker decisions and faster roof damage repairs after storms or other property emergencies. No more waiting weeks for a claim to be processed—these updates aim to minimize delays and help you get your home back to normal sooner.
Stronger Protection from Bad Contractors
HB 1940 introduces stricter guidelines for contractors, requiring them to provide detailed estimates and meet quality standards. This helps protect you from subpar work, surprise costs, or misleading repair practices. If the work doesn’t meet expectations, you’ll now have more legal recourse.
What Should Homeowners Do Now?
With House Bill 1940 now in effect, homeowners need to take a proactive approach to protect their property and navigate the updated roof damage repair rules with confidence. These legal changes affect how insurance claims are processed, who controls repair decisions, and how quickly your roof or property damage is addressed.
Whether you’ve recently experienced storm damage or simply want to be prepared, here are the key steps every Oklahoma homeowner should take today:
1. Review Your Insurance Policy Thoroughly
Why It Matters: Understanding your current policy is key to avoiding delays or denials.
Action Steps:
- Check for clauses related to roof damage repair, coverage limits, and assignment of benefits
- Contact your insurance provider for clarification on how HB 1940 impacts your claims process
- Make sure you’re aware of deductibles, response timelines, and what documentation is required
2. Choose a Roofing Contractor Familiar With HB 1940
Why It Matters: Not all roofing contractors are prepared to follow the new legal standards.
Action Steps:
- Hire a licensed roofer with experience managing insurance restoration under the new law
- Look for contractors with verified reviews, detailed contracts, and clear estimates
- Ask: “How are you staying compliant with HB 1940?”
3. Stay Informed and Proactive
Why It Matters: Ongoing changes to laws and weather events make it critical to stay ahead.
Action Steps:
- Follow local news or state resources for updates to insurance or contractor regulations
- Keep a “home repair folder” with your policy, contractor contacts, photos, and receipts
- Consider signing up for alerts from trusted sources in the home insurance or roofing space
Conclusion
Oklahoma House Bill 1940 represents a significant shift in how insurance claims and property repairs are managed. By increasing transparency, restricting benefit assignments, and enhancing consumer protections, HB 1940 aims to create a fairer and more efficient system for homeowners. At 5Coat Roofing & Construction, we are dedicated to helping you navigate these changes and ensuring that your home repairs are handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us today. We’re here to assist you every step of the way in the insurance restoration process.
FAQs
Can a damaged roof be repaired?
Yes, most roof damage can be repaired, especially when caught early. Under Oklahoma House Bill 1940, homeowners now have more control over choosing licensed contractors and must authorize repair decisions, so it’s important to work with professionals who understand the new law and follow proper procedures.
How much does it usually cost to repair a roof?
Roof repair costs in Oklahoma typically range from $300 to $1,500, depending on the type of damage and materials involved. With HB 1940 in place, insurance companies must now provide clearer breakdowns of repair costs and claim decisions, so homeowners can better understand what’s covered and what they may owe out of pocket.
How much does it cost to recover a roof?
Recovering a roof, installing a new layer over the existing one, can cost $5,000 to $12,000+, depending on roof size and materials. However, under HB 1940, homeowners must authorize all work and insurance benefit assignments, so it’s essential to get a detailed estimate from a contractor who follows HB 1940 compliance guidelines.
Is roof damage covered by insurance?
Yes, roof damage is still covered by insurance if caused by a covered event like hail, wind, or storm impact. HB 1940 doesn’t change what’s covered, but it does strengthen your rights as a homeowner by requiring clearer communication from insurers and giving you final say in benefit assignments to roofing contractors.
