Is Your Roof Damage Covered by Insurance? (What You Need to Know)
Homeowners insurance is necessary to protect your roof from unforeseen problems.
But we commonly run into problems with our insurance companies. Whenever there is an issue with your roof, you may be worried that your insurance policy does not cover it.
Living in fear of the unknown can leave you frustrated. Initially, you thought your policy would cover issues like leaks and missing shingles. Now you’re left with the constant thoughts of “what does my insurance actually cover?”
Rescue My Roof has helped homeowners understand their insurance and get claims covered for over a decade. If you are confused now, we’re here to help.
We will break down what types of damage are covered by homeowner’s insurance. Next, you’re going to learn what to do about potential roof damage.
By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether or not your roof damage is covered and what can potentially be done about it. The ultimate goal is that you no longer live in fear of what your insurance will or will not cover.
What Kind of Roof Damage Does Insurance Cover?
There are a few instances where insurance will cover your roof repairs or replacements.
An Act of God
Typically, insurance will cover roof damage caused by an extreme weather event. Otherwise known as an “act of God.”
This category of events includes damaging winds, thunderstorms, hail, snowstorms, and tornados.
Additionally, fallen tree limbs (an act that is also out of your control) can be classified as an “act of God.”
If you have experienced any weather-related problems with your roof, contact your insurance company to see if it is covered under this clause.
Every policy and company is different, so you will want to talk to an insurance expert specializing in your policy.
Your Shingles Are No Longer in Production
If a particular area of your roof has been damaged and needs repair, you may be in luck with insurance coverage.
If the manufacturers no longer produce the current shingle on your roof, insurance will cover the costs of a roof replacement.
This means that even if your roof is not in complete disrepair, you will still be eligible for a roof replacement.
The Amount of Damage Meets Insurance Policy Criteria
Depending on the amount of damage to your roof, insurance may cover repairs or a replacement.
Once you have gone over your policy thoroughly, find an accredited roof inspector to assess the damage properly. Damage may not be immediately visible, but an experienced inspector will know what to look for.
After the inspection, an insurance adjuster can determine if your roof meets the criteria.
You may need multiple roofing bids for this process. Contact your insurance before scheduling estimates to determine how many you need.
What Do You Do When Your Roof is Damaged?
Now that you know what types of damage are covered, here’s what to do about it.
Always call your homeowners insurance first if you have roof damage.
Tell them all relevant information – the issues with your roof and what incidents caused them – and they will tell you your next steps.
It may be contacting multiple roofing companies for bids or immediately giving you the green light to find a contractor.
Here are a couple of the scenarios you may experience:
The Insurance Company Send an Insurance Adjuster to Inspect Your Roof
An insurance adjuster will come out to your home and inspect your roof for any damage. After the inspection, they could approve your claim. Or they may give you the bad news that they didn’t find signs of damage.
If your claim is approved – congratulations! You can begin the search to find the right contractor for you.
If your claim isn’t approved, you’re not out of luck. You may ask your insurance for a second opinion.
Another option is to have an engineer come out and inspect your property. They may be able to offer proof that the roof needs to be replaced due to sustained damage.
Call Your Local Roofing Company for an Inspection
Your insurance company may tell you to get an inspection done on your own time. If this is the case, you can contact a roofing contractor near you.
A roofing contractor may take pictures of your home and any potential damage that can be submitted to an insurance company.
After the inspection is done and the proof is viable, insurance will send out an adjuster to approve the claims.
Insurance Denies Roof Replacement Coverage
While it’s not the ideal scenario, your insurance company may deny your claims.
There are several reasons they may do this, including:
- Living in a high-risk zone for natural disasters like hurricanes
- Cosmetic damage
- General wear and tear
- Poor workmanship
Want to learn more about why insurance may not provide coverage? You can read about it here.
How to Get Insurance to Cover Your Roof Replacement
Do you meet any of the criteria above? Has your roof recently experienced an “act of God,” your shingles are no longer in production, or has your roof had a significant amount of damage?
The next step is to start the claims process.
You can read more about roof repairs and replacements with “9 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor” and “4 Reasons You Should Get Multiple Roofing Quotes.”
Are you ready to jump into filing an insurance claim in the greater Milwaukee area? Rescue My Roof has got you covered. Contact us today to speak to one of our specialists.