Home insurance covers roof damage caused by a covered incident, such as a storm or a fallen tree branch. If your roof is damaged by something not covered in your policy, you will have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
Bottom line: Whether or not your home insurance policy covers roof damage depends on what caused the problem in the first place.
What types of roof damages are covered by homeowners insurance?
Home insurance typically covers repairs such as fixing roof leaks and repairing damaged shingles or materials. It may help pay for a total roof replacement and other types of losses resulting from roof problems, like water damage to other parts of your home. But the damage must have been caused by a covered peril.
Storm, wind, and hail damage
Standard home insurance policies cover many kinds of storm damage, including damage from hail and high winds. But it’s important to remember that if you live in an area known for extreme weather, such as a coastal region prone to tropical storms or hurricanes, you may have more difficulty finding home insurance with windstorm coverage.
If that’s the case, you have the following options:
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Shop around for a home insurance carrier that does cover windstorm damage in your area as part of its standard home insurance policy.
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Get windstorm coverage as a rider on your existing policy, or buy it as standalone coverage from your existing home insurance carrier or from another carrier.
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Look for a FAIR plan from a state-subsidized insurer - this option is available as a last resort when you can’t find insurance elsewhere in the regular market due to the risk of storms in your area.
Falling objects
If a falling object like a tree branch, debris, or even an entire tree hits your home, it can cause massive damage to your roof. Most home insurance policies cover the cost of roof repairs and removal of the fallen object.
Fire and lightning damage
If a lightning strike or a fire in your home damages your roof, your home insurance policy can cover the cost of repairs.
Snow and ice dams
The weight of snow or ice can cause considerable damage to your roof, up to and including collapse. Ice dams, which form when water freezes on a roof, could also create major issues. Home insurance can cover damage to your roof from winter weather, but you may not be covered if your roof was already in poor shape and the damage occurred gradually over time.
What roof damage isn't covered by homeowners insurance?
Home insurance does not cover any roof damage caused by something other than a covered peril. Moreover, the condition of your roof may limit your coverage or block you from buying a policy.
Older roofs
The age of your roof affects the coverage you can get. For homes with old roofs, insurance carriers often require a roof inspection. Some may only offer to insure an older roof for its actual cash value, not the current cost of repairing or replacing it. And if your roof is too old, already has damage, or has not been maintained, an insurance company may refuse to cover it altogether.
Damages caused by neglect, general wear and tear, or poor maintenance
Roof damage caused by neglect, wear and tear, or poor maintenance won’t get covered. For example, if your roof sprung a leak and you didn’t take care of it for months, your insurance carrier likely won’t cover the damage that could have been prevented if you had acted quickly.
Earthquakes and floods
Earthquakes and floods are typically excluded from coverage under standard homeowners insurance policies. You need to purchase endorsements or separate policies to get coverage for these natural disasters.
Cosmetic repairs
Home insurance policies often exclude or limit coverage for cosmetic repairs, such as getting new shingles after a hail storm dents your roof but doesn’t compromise its integrity. If you want cosmetic repairs covered, make sure to check with the insurer when you buy a policy.
How can I prevent roof damage?
Home insurance can give you some peace of mind that you’re covered when unexpected incidents befall your home. But the best way to protect your roof is to prevent roof damage altogether:
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Get an annual roof inspection from a qualified roofing contractor to look for warning signs such as missing shingles or water damage.
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Perform regular roof upkeep such as replacing damaged shingles, sealing up leaks, and clearing debris off your roof.
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Regularly clean your gutters so water can effectively travel off your roof and away from your home.
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Remove snow from your roof in between storms to keep it from piling up.
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Prune nearby trees and trim branches to prevent objects from falling on your roof.
Does coverage for roof damage have a separate deductible?
Insurance companies often have a separate wind/hail deductible or hurricane deductible for customers in high-risk parts of the country. This deductible may be calculated as a percentage of the total amount of dwelling coverage you have on your home.
How do I file an insurance claim for roof damage?
The process for submitting a claim to home insurance for roof damage depends on the insurer. Here are some common steps for filing a claim:
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Contact your insurance company. Speak with your insurer to find out how to start a claim and what information you will need to provide. The sooner you reach out, the sooner the claim process can begin.
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Document the damages you incur. Take pictures of the roof damage, inventory all your damaged property along with its estimated value, and more. Save all documents. Do not throw away any damaged property yet, because you may need it to support your claim.
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Make temporary repairs. Make any short-term repairs you need to keep the residents of your home safe. For example, you may need to put up temporary barriers to keep more water from coming into your home.
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Save receipts for other expenses. Need to buy tarps to keep the rain out? Have to move into a hotel temporarily, or order out your meals because you lost access to your kitchen? Make sure to save receipts to submit to your insurance company.
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Meet with the claims adjuster. The insurer may send a claims adjuster to your home to assess the damage so it can determine if coverage applies and what the settlement amount is.
Get repair estimates. Meet with a licensed and insured contractor to get price quotes for repairs. Compare these estimates to the company’s settlement offer to see if it’s offering you a fair settlement amount.
