Will Home Insurance Pay For New Roof

How To Protect Your Roof

Here are five tips to protect your roof:

• Take photos of your roof, so you have them on file in case of any damage. If your roof is damaged, take a set of “after” photos to document the damage and submit it to your insurance company.
• If your roof is more than 10 years old, you may want to hire a roof inspector who can check for any damage and areas that need repair.
• Replace any broken or worn shingles or tiles. A broken shingle might seem minor, but its not protecting your home and can result in damage. An insurance inspector may perform a property check from the street. Insurance companies can cancel your policy if the home is considered to be in disrepair, such as a leaky roof and broken or displaced shingles.
• Cut back any trees hanging over your house and remove any dead trees.
• If your roof is damaged, contact your insurance company and ask them to send an inspector to review the damage.

Insurance companies cover roofs differently. Your state can play a big part as to whether or how much youre reimbursed. Its best to speak with your insurance provider if you have concerns about whether or not roof damage will be covered by insurance.

Can You Get Homeowners Insurance With An Old Roof

Just like your roof, a homeowners insurance policy helps to protect the things inside your home. The insurance policy covers financial loss due to events such as storms, fire, vandalism, and theft. To help ensure that the items in your home remain safe, insurance companies generally want to make sure that your roof is in good shape. After all, when it is, youre less likely to have to file a claim.

While insurance companies would prefer your home to have a newer roof, that doesnt necessarily mean having an older one will lead to denial of coverage. The process, however, will likely be much more difficult.

What Happens If My Roof Fails Inspection

If your older roof fails inspection, your application for coverage is likely to be denied. If you already own your home, your insurance company might cancel your policy until you show that youve repaired or replaced the roof.

While replacing the roof is an expensive endeavor, it might be the only way to get or continue insurance coverage. Fortunately, you may not have options. The first thing to do is shop around for different roofers and get quotes for a replacement. The second thing to do is ask about financing. Some roofing companies may offer options, which will allow you to pay the cost of your new roof off over time. Other options include a personal loan or home equity loan.

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How To Get Your Homeowners Insurance To Pay For A New Roof

When selling your home, it’s important to tackle any structural or mechanical maintenance issues prior to listing. Repairing or replacing a damaged roof is vital to ensuring a favorable sale. Homeowners Insurance will often pay for roof repairs or replacement.

When selling a house, homeowners are usually required to tackle a laundry list of home repairs. These can be inexpensive to extremely costly but are vital when prepping the house for a financially favorable sale.

One of the most common and important items is fixing or replacing the roof. While this project is often costly, we’re here totell you that you may be able to get a monetary kickback or complete reimbursement from your homeowner’s insurance. Read on to find out how.

Be Aware Of Disaster Deductibles

Whenever you file an insurance claim, you have to pay a deductible. Its the amount of money you pay on an insurance claim before your coverage kicks in and pays the rest.

Its standard for wind, hail and hurricanes to be covered by homeowners insurance flood and earthquake policies are typically purchased separately. But each of these disasters can have its own deductible rules, depending on the insurance company and where you live.

For example, hurricane deductibles tend to be higher than other homeowners policy deductibles and usually take the form of a percentage of the policy limits, according to the Insurance Information Institute. So if you live on the coast or in an area thats prone to hurricanes, you may end up paying a deductible thats completely different from the one you choose.

Being aware of these various types of disaster deductibles, from hurricanes to wind and hail, will prevent surprise costs down the road. Check your policy and talk to your insurance company to learn exactly how your deductibles work.

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Find A Reputable Roofing Contractor

If you didnt do this as part of the step above, now is the time.

Your best ally in a fight over roof repair will be a licensed roofing contractor, not an attorney. Make sure they have:

• A stellar reputation
• Experience dealing with insurance claims

A good roofer will help with the next few steps before repairing the roof.

Prevent Further Damage!

Most homeowners policies require you to cover the damaged roof immediately.

Did you know?Claims for secondary damage are usually denied when the necessary steps have not been taken to protect the roof.

Heres a common and unfortunate scenario:

Storm 1 blows a bunch of shingles off a roof.

Storm 2, a week later, brings wind-driven rain that gets into the unprotected home and destroys everything it touches ceilings, walls, flooring, electronics and more. This is why many homes must be gutted or demolished after hurricanes.

Bad storms damage hundreds or thousands of homes in their path. This makes it impossible for roofers to make quick repairs.

Instead, your roofing company will get the damaged areas tarped and secured to protect your home and your wallet. Once this is done, the roof should be OK until repairs can be made.

Will Insurance Pay For Your Roof Replacement

So, will insurance pay for your new roof? The answer is yes, but only under the right circumstances.

To get your homeowners insurance to pay for your replacement, your roof must have storm damage caused by extreme weather. This extreme weather is straight-line winds during heavy thunderstorms, hail storms, snowstorms, and tornados.

Theyll also cover roof damage from fallen tree limbs caused by strong storms. If theres extensive damage to your roof, then there should be no question that itll be covered.

However, itll be what the insurance adjuster finds during their inspection if your roof is worthy of a full replacement. But as long as the damage is caused by extreme weather, your homeowners insurance should cover your roof and pay to replace it.

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How Much Does A New Roof Cost

Considering how your roof contributes to your houses overall integrity, it wont surprise you to know that new roofs are expensive. Theres no one-size-fits-all price for a roof.

How much you pay depends on several factors.

A new roof averages about $8,580, according to Home Advisor. What youll end up paying ranges between $5,588 and $11,690. The cost depends on the materials, the number of square feet, and the location. Youll spend about 40 percent on materials and 60 percent on labor.

No matter how you look at it, paying out-of-pocket for a new roof will break the bank. However, if insurance companies refuse to cover roof damage due to wear and tear, does that mean you have no choice but to get a new roof on your own dime?

Well, maybe, but there may still be ways to get help from your insurance company when it comes to covering costs. Filing a claim can sometimes get you what you want regarding roof repairs, so it never hurts to give it a try.

Still, youll have to convince the insurance company that the roof damage wasnt your fault. So, if you have an old, ill-maintained roof, youre less likely to get help from your policy.

Get A Detailed Report From An Independent Roofing Contractor

Ask for a written evaluation from the roofing contractor that addresses the issues listed above The extent and cause of the damage and the condition of the rest of the roof.

The inspection and report will cost up to $500, but it is money well spent if it is instrumental in getting your homeowners insurance claim paid.

If it comes to arbitration or court, it will be the word of an inspector against a roofer. If your roofing contractors report is credible, you will be in good shape.

Dont Settle for an Inferior Roof

This takes a little explaining, but it should be clear in the end.

When an insurer accepts a claim, it offers the homeowner a chunk of money.

It should be enough to replace your roof with materials of the same quality as the original roof including professional installation.

Heres the warning: It is the common practice of some insurance adjusters to offer a settlement that will only pay for inferior replacement materials.

Lets say your home has dimensional shingles, which is the most common type of asphalt shingles. Well, dimensional shingles come in basic, better and best quality.

Take CertainTeed or GAF shingles, for example. Both brands are the largest manufacturers of dimensional asphalt roofing shingles.

Here are three lines of shingles from CertainTeed that serve as an example:

Hire a Roofer that Will Fight for You

Be Willing to Change Companies

Preparing for Future Claims

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Coverage For Roof Replacement

Another important issue is whether your insurance company would cover the costs of a new roof or a full roof replacement. This will depend on the damage that has been done to your roof. If it can be proven that a new roof is actually needed and that the damage cannot be fixed by repairs alone, then the insurance company may cover the full costs of a replacement. It also helps if the cost of a new roof would be less than repairing every damaged area.

Want To Learn The Homeowners Insurance Claim Process

Now you know your homeowners insurance will cover your storm damaged roof and 3 things you need to know about replacing your roof with insurance. Remember, an improperly installed roof wont be covered.

You also need to hire a roofing contractor that has experience doing insurance work when you get your roof replacement. And dont forget to show them your paperwork.

After reading this, you know your homeowners insurance covers your roof, but what about the actual claim process? It can be overwhelming if youve never been through it before.

Luckily, weve thought about this. To prevent you from being overwhelmed, we broke down the process and everything you need to know.

The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been working with homeowners like you deal with insurance claims since 1990. We effectively deal with insurance companies to ensure our customers have a positive experience, even during a stressful time in their life. We work for you, not the insurance company.

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Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Replacement

In many instances, homeowners insurance will pay for a new roof if it is damaged by an extreme weather event such as a lightning strike or snow storm. Most policies do not cover a roof repair or replacement from normal wear and tear.

Each situation is unique, and there isnt necessarily a one-size-fits-all answer as to whether insurance will cover a new roof.

Roof insurance is part of your homeowners insurance and covers your roof in cases where it is damaged to the point that it needs major repair or even a replacement. This mainly includes roof damage caused by reasons outside of the homeowners control, such as a fire or vandalism.

According to Allstate, damage from extreme weather or acts of God including hurricanes and tornadoes are also usually covered.

However, Kanner & Pintaluga accident attorneys have noted that many companies are moving away from roof insurance policies that cover hail and wind damage.

Insurance companies dont often want to pay up on their claims, much less have multiple claims to pay in the same area at once. When hail and wind come through an area, the damage is widespread and many homes would likely be affected.

Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Leaks

This really depends on your insurance policy and what caused the leak.

Most home insurance providers will cover the cost of repairs if roof leaks are due to a sudden, unexpected event, like storm damage or a falling tree.

But you wont be covered for roof leaks that are due to wear and tear. Or leaks that result from a lack of maintenance its your responsibility as the homeowner to keep your roof in a good state of repair.

Key points

• Your home insurance should cover roof claims that are for something unexpected
• You wont be covered for wear or tear or problems caused by lack of maintenance
• Keep receipts of any work thats been done to your roof so you can prove it was well maintained

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Do You Want To Exclude Wind And Hail

Usually homeowners want good and broad coverage for their homes. But wind and hail is a different ballgame in many states. Insurers pass along the costs of past wind and hail claims to current homeowners. You may be able to choose to exclude wind and hail from coverage in the interest of saving money.

For example, in Florida, State Farm offers these choices:

• Keep the wind and hail coverage offered in the homeowners policy.
• Exclude wind and hail damage from coverage in order to save money.
• Take a separate, higher deductible for wind and hail damage from hurricanes in order to save money.

Hire A Roofing Contractor That Handles Insurance Claims

As soon as your insurance claim is approved, youre ready to start the replacement process.

If youre replacing your roof through homeowners insurance, its crucial to hire a roofing contractor that has experience handling insurance claims. Theyll know the insurance claim process, how to read your claim correctly, fight to make sure everything is correct, and how to do the work in compliance with your insurance company.

Hiring someone that has experience working with insurance claims is just one thing you need to look for in a roofing contractor. To help you find a great roofer for your replacement, check out this article on the top 8 questions to ask a roofing contractor.

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How Insurance Roof Claims Work

The roof insurance claim process can seem stressful, especially if you are worried about an expensive roof repair or how much it will cost you to replace your roof. As stressful as it may be, the process isnt quite as complicated as it seems, especially when you have an experienced roofer like Colony Roofers providing help with the claim. In fact, the claim process often begins with you getting an estimate for the repairs from a reputable roofer with insurance experience.

Once you have an estimate, you can file a claim with your insurance company. The insurance company will weigh various factors when determining exactly what they will pay out on the claim. In many instances, your roofs age will play a big role in whats paid out. Any roof thats over 10 years old might get less coverage than a new roof, if your roof has not been well maintained. Keeping your roof maintained can be a key to good coverage if the time ever comes when you need to file an insurance claim.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover A New Roof If Its Just A Maintenance Issue

A lot of the time, the answer is no.

Not all roof insurance covers all roofing needs. There are many other factors at play.

For example, if you have an older roof, say more than 20 years old, insurance companies generally consider those roofs to be past their life expectancy and could choose to reimburse only a portion of any repairs or replacement or nothing at all.

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Signs You Need To Repair Or Replace Your Roof

No roof will last forever. Being vigilant and monitoring your roof, however, can help you spot signs of deterioration before they become a serious issue. Some signs to watch for include:

• Worn, broken, buckled, or missing shingles

• Finding granules from your shingles in your gutters

• Water damage in your attic

• Cracks in your flashing

Ideally, you should inspect your roof every spring. If you notice any of these issues, you should have them addressed right away. In some cases, you may be able to get away with repairs, rather than needing a full replacement.

What Roof Factors Affect My Home Insurance Premium

• Age: As your roof ages, so does its durability against the elements. As your roof ages, your home insurance premium will also increase. Most homeowners see their premium rise after ten years.
• Condition: The condition of your roof is imperative against protecting your home from the elements. So if your home has a well-maintained roof, youll have a lower premium than someones roof that has cracks and broken shingles.
• Location: The weather in your area will primarily affect your premium because harsher weather poses more risks to damaging your roof and home. For example, if you live on the coast, youll pay more for your home insurance policy than someone who lives inland.

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