Ice dams and roof leaks
Water that backs up under shingles from ice dams can be treated differently from damage caused by the weight of snow or ice. The policy wording, and what caused the water to get in, decide it.
The HanoverClaim guide · independent
Maine public adjusters · The Hanover claims
The Hanover denied or underpaid your claim?
The Hanover denied your Maine home claim or paid less than the repairs will cost? We read the policy your independent agent placed, inspect the damage and compare it line by line with the insurer’s estimate. The review is free.
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Disclaimer: AF Claims is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The Hanover Insurance Group and affiliates. Carrier names are used only to identify the insurer. Every claim is different; results are not guaranteed.
About The Hanover
The Hanover Insurance Group is based in Worcester, Massachusetts. According to the company, it has worked solely through independent agents and brokers since its founding in 1852 and does not sell insurance directly online.
The Hanover says it offers business insurance in most states and insurance for individuals and families in select states. Homeowners policies are issued by Hanover group companies; your declarations page names the specific one.
In a compilation of 2024 NAIC market-share data, The Hanover is 6th among homeowners insurance groups in Maine (5.10%).
Why The Hanover claims get denied or underpaid
General reasons homeowners report for denied or short-paid claims, with any carrier (not a description of The Hanover’s internal rules):
Frozen and burst pipes
Freeze claims often turn on whether heat was maintained and where the pipe broke. Keep utility bills, thermostat records and the plumber’s written report on the cause.
Fallen trees and debris removal
Policies often pay to remove a tree that hits a covered structure, but may limit debris removal when no structure is damaged. Photograph the tree, the damage and the property line.
Wind damage to roofs and siding
Lifted shingles and loose siding can let water in long after the storm. Photograph every elevation soon after the event and keep weather reports for the date.
Sudden vs. long-term leaks
Many policies cover sudden water damage but exclude repeated seepage or leakage over time. A plumber’s written report on the cause and timing of a leak can make the difference.
Tip: Loop in your agent, but put it in writing
Your agent can help with paperwork, but the insurer’s claim staff decides the claim. Send important information to the insurer in writing, copy your agent, and keep copies.
What to do after a The Hanover denial or low offer
- 1
Know Maine’s payment rule for undisputed claims
Under 24-A M.R.S. § 2436(1), an undisputed claim is payable within 30 days after the insurer receives proof of loss and the loss is ascertained by written agreement or an arbitration award under the policy. For the fire portion of a policy combining several coverages, as many homeowners policies do, the period is 60 days (§ 2436(1)(A)). Overdue undisputed amounts bear interest at 1½% per month (§ 2436(3)).
- 2
If the insurer disputes the claim, get the grounds in writing
An insurer that disputes a claim must give you a written statement of the grounds, based on a reasonable investigation and detailed enough for you to understand and respond (24-A M.R.S. § 2436(2)).
- 3
Read the exact policy language cited
Find the exclusion or condition the letter relies on, then read your declarations page and endorsements: deductibles, roof or cosmetic-damage terms, water damage limits and any matching or ordinance-or-law coverage.
- 4
Document the damage before repairs
Photograph and video every room and roof slope, keep damaged materials or samples when you can, and save invoices for emergency repairs. That record is what a reinspection, supplement or appraisal will rely on.
- 5
Use the policy’s appraisal clause if the fight is about the amount
Most homeowners policies have an appraisal clause for disagreements about the amount of loss, not coverage. Read its exact steps, costs and deadlines before invoking it.
More on Maine claims: Maine public adjusters · Maine insurers and claim rules
The Hanover claim FAQ
My Hanover agent says the adjuster makes the call. Can a public adjuster help?
Yes. Your independent agent placed the policy, but the insurer’s adjuster decides the claim. A public adjuster works only for you: we inspect, document, estimate and present the claim.
A pipe froze while we were away for the winter. Is that covered?
It often depends on whether heat was maintained or the water was shut off and drained, as the policy requires. Keep heating bills, thermostat records and the plumber’s report, and read the freezing condition in your policy.
Snow load damaged my roof. What should I document?
Photograph the roof, attic framing, ceilings and any interior water damage, and note snow depths and dates. Damage from the weight of snow or ice is treated differently from ice-dam leaks in many policies.
How long does an insurer have to pay my claim in Maine?
Under 24-A M.R.S. § 2436, an undisputed claim is generally payable within 30 days after proof of loss is received and the loss is ascertained, or 60 days for the fire portion of a policy that combines coverages, as many homeowners policies do. A written request for reasonable additional information can extend the time. An insurer disputing a claim must state its grounds in writing, and overdue undisputed amounts bear interest at 1½% per month. Ask a Maine-licensed attorney how the statute applies to a specific dispute.
Can you guarantee the insurer will change its decision?
No. No one can honestly guarantee an outcome. We review the file, tell you what we see, and represent you if it makes sense to work together. Every claim is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does the review cost?
The claim review is free, and asking questions doesn’t hire us. If it makes sense to work together, the fee and services are explained in a written agreement before you sign.
General information, not legal advice. Policies and state laws differ, and laws change.
Sources
- The Hanover Insurance Group, Frequently asked questions about The Hanover
- Agency Checklists, “The Top Homeowners Insurers in Massachusetts & New England” (Oct. 27, 2025), compiled from NAIC Market Share Reports, 2024 group direct written premium
- 24-A M.R.S. § 2436, Maine, time limit for payment of claims; interest
Sources checked September 27, 2026.
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Disclaimer: AF Claims is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The Hanover Insurance Group and affiliates. Carrier names are used only to identify the insurer. Every claim is different; results are not guaranteed.
American Financial Claims is a licensed public adjusting firm, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. Office: Brickell Arch, 1395 Brickell Ave, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. Every insurance claim is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.