You might not spend a ton of time thinking about your roof, but perhaps you should. Not only does your roof protect you against the elements, it also provides structural support and insulation.It can even increase the value of your home.
That's why it’s so important to take good care of your roof – and perhaps more important to take care of damage to it as soon as you can.
This is the whole reason you have home insurance: to make sure you have the financial means to repair unexpected damage quickly.
So let’s take a good look at filing roof damage claims – what’s typically covered, what’s usually not – as well as tips for keeping your roof in good shape and filing a claim if you ever need to.
Understanding the roof insurance coverage in your policy
Before we dive headfirst into identifying the type of roof damage your home insurance covers, let’s start with the overall purpose of home insurance.
Homeowners insurance is financial protection that helps pay for unexpected expenses resulting from certain kinds of damage to your home. Essentially, you pay a premium so that your insurance company helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your property.
But note, we say it covers certain kinds of damage. That’s because home insurance is designed to cover sudden or accidental damage. It’s not intended to help you pay for damage created by things like age, poor maintenance, or neglect.
Moreover, your home insurance, and the roof damage coverage in it, usually only cover damage caused by specific perils. Earthquakes and floods may cause sudden and accidental damage, but most home insurance policies don’t cover it.
Types of roof damage covered by insurance
So what types of perils are covered by standard home insurance? The answer depends on your particular policy, but many policies cover damage caused by some rather common events, including:
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Fire.
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Wind.
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Snow and ice.
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Falling objects.
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Lightning.
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Fallen trees.
When your roof is damaged by a covered peril, your insurance likely will help to repair or replace it up to your coverage limit and minus your deductible.
Types of roof damage not covered by insurance
While a standard home insurance policy covers several common causes of roof damage, it usually excludes damage caused by:
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Insects and termites. Damage from termites and insects to roofing is considered neglect or poor maintenance, so it’s generally not covered by home insurance.
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Rodent and bird damage. Roofs damaged by rodents or birds are generally not covered by insurance.The reasoning is similar to termite damage: As a homeowner, you’re responsible for identifying these issues before they get out of hand.
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Rust. Claims stemming from rusty metal components are typically denied because that’s considered normal wear and tear.
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Mold. Mold can cause damage, sometimes unseen, to roofing and roofing structures and is frequently excluded. However, some insurance policies have a limited amount of mold coverage.
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Rot. When damaged roofs remain unrepaired, rotting can result. This can be the result of neglect, in which case it’s not covered by home insurance.
As you might be able to tell from this list, roof damage caused by normal wear and tear isn’t covered by home insurance. Roofs have a lifespan, so they ultimately wear out over time.
Similarly, your home insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by poor maintenance and neglect. Insurers are in the business of protecting homeowners from disasters, not covering routine upkeep.
Know your coverage options: Actual cash value vs. replacement cost value
When securing home insurance, one of the most essential coverage options is choosing between replacement cost value (RCV) and actual cash value (ACV).
What is the replacement cost value?
Replacement cost value is what you would pay to replace your entire home at today’s prices if it’s completely destroyed by a covered peril. This protection can be enhanced through endorsements like extended replacement value or even guaranteed replacement value.
What is the actual cash value?
Actual cash value (ACV) is the present value of an item after accounting for depreciation. Claim settlements for items insured for their ACV are generally lower than those covered for their replacement cost value.
ACV vs. RCV for your roof
Home insurance companies generally want to cover the structure of your home for its replacement cost. That way, you can be made whole if you ever face a catastrophe.
But aging roofs can be harder and more expensive to insure. One solution for that is to add an endorsement that changes the roof coverage so it’s based on the roof’s actual cash value.
Some insurers also offer a roof surfacing payment schedule, which typically reduces the claim payout to a predetermined percentage of the roof’s replacement cost value, depending on the age and surfacing materials of the roof. The result is a lower premium because you’ve chosen more restrictive coverage.
Signs your roof is damaged
Signs that your roof is damaged or wearing out are often easy to spot. Hidden signs, however, require both attention and regular maintenance.
Visible signs of roof damage
Missing or broken shingles
Shingles can become dry and brittle as your roof ages. When this happens, wind, rain, and hail can cause them to break or blow away, so you want to regularly check your roof for missing or damaged shingles.
Sagging roofs
A wavy or sagging roof is a pretty good sign that the plywood or subroofing has become warped or damaged due to moisture.
Watermarks
The interior of your home can also have visible signs of roof damage, like watermarks on your ceilings or walls. These can be a symptom of a roof leak.
Hidden signs of roof damage
Hidden water stains
Leaks don’t always leave visible water stains. You can also have water damage from a roof leak hidden behind cupboards, closets, behind paneling, or under tile.
Mold
Fungi, mildew, and mold can be clearly visible on exterior walls, but they can occur inside your walls. Another place of concern? Any area you don’t use often, like an attic and basement. Even a small roof leak can cause mold to develop over time.
When to file a roof damage claim
Your homeowners insurance is there to help you recover from serious roof damage. If you experience circumstances like these examples after a covered peril damages your roof, be sure to alert your insurance company so you can start the claims process as quickly as possible.
The damage is substantial
Your roof is an extremely important part of your home. If you see extensive damage, you’ll likely want to file a claim immediately.
The damage may have weakened the roof
Damage that has weakened the roof structurally may cause further damage, or worse, harm the occupants. It also makes getting repairs more urgent, so you may want to file a roof damage insurance claim right away.
The damage was caused by an act of God
Storms are a good example of the acts of God home insurance is designed to cover. If you have damage from wind, hail, ice, or snow, definitely consider filing a homeowners insurance claim.
Damage exceeds your deductible
When roof damage meets or exceeds the deductible of your home insurance policy, you may want to file a claim.
You are within the filing window
Following a covered peril, you may have a specified period to file a roof damage claim. The timeframe can be as short as 30 days but as long as a year or two. Check your policy or speak to your insurance representative before you have a claim so you’re ready to go if you ever need to file.
Steps to file a roof damage insurance claim
Taking the appropriate steps following roof damage can help you successfully file your claim effectively and efficiently.
Document your damage
Note the date, time, and circumstances surrounding the damage you received. A video or photographs of the damage you sustained can be a big help to your insurer, especially if you’re able to include photos of your roof before any damage occurred.
Contact your insurance company
You need to alert your insurance company to start the claims process, a step you can usually take by either calling your insurer or going to its website. Be sure to keep good notes regarding the dates and times of each contact with your insurer, and write down all of the instructions the claims adjuster provides.
Review your policy
While we definitely think you want to know what’s in your policy before you have to file a claim, we understand that most people don’t think about their home insurance until they need it. Take a look at your policy for information about your duties and obligations in a claim.
Get an estimate
You may need to hire a qualified roof inspector to evaluate the damage and estimate the cost for repairs. This often requires patience after a major storm because so many people are doing the same thing, but you want to make sure you work with a reputable contractor to avoid fraud.
Work with the adjuster
For roof damage, your insurance company may send an adjuster to conduct an insurance loss inspection. You want to do your best to work with this individual by providing documentation and answering questions about your damage.
What happens during a loss inspection?
An insurance loss inspection establishes the cause and extent of the damage you experienced. During the inspection, a claims adjuster comes to your home to take a look at your damage. The adjuster may need to take photos of your damaged roof and any temporary repairs you’ve made.
The adjuster will send an inspection report to your insurer so it can decide if your coverage applies to the damage.
Tips for a successful roof damage claim
You can take practical steps to ensure your roof damage claim or other home insurance claim goes smoothly, such as:
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Keeping a record of all communication with your insurer.
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Providing multiple estimates from reputable contractors.
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Being clear and honest in your descriptions of damage.
Mistakes to avoid when filing a roof claim
Avoiding these mistakes can help you process your roof insurance claim and reduce the likelihood of paying higher premiums in the future.
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Filing a claim for minor issues. You may not want to file a claim if the repair cost is less than your deductible. However, you still need to let your insurance company know about any unrepaired damage to your roof.
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Not reviewing your policy in advance. Misunderstanding key details, like exclusions or limitations, can be a major source of frustration. Make sure you read through your policy so you know what’s covered, what’s not, and what your obligations are.
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Delaying necessary repairs. Taking too long to fix your roof can lead to further damage and could lead to your claim being denied.
Prompt action is essential to making a successful roof damage claim, but so is understanding your policy. If you’re concerned about your roof insurance coverage, schedule a home insurance policy review with your agent.
