Your property’s roofing structure weathers many storms each year. As it gets older and continually suffers storm damage, you’ll need to know what your homeowners insurance policy covers if your roof needs repair or replacement later down the road.
Homeowners Insurance: What‘s Covered And What’s Not
Homeowners insurance covers your property under some conditions. If you’re wondering if it covers your roof, the answer varies. Coverage depends on your provider, your geographic area, and the cause of the roof damage.
TYPES OF STORM DAMAGE
Storms have a major impact on your roof. Luckily, homeowners insurance covers many types of inclement weather. Some home insurance providers cover the costs of roof repair or replacement needed due to storm damage, including:
- Wind – Less noticeable damage, but still wreaks havoc to roofing materials already loose or lifting
- Hail – One of the leading causes of roof damage, leaves dents in shingles and loosens granules
- Water- Number one cause of roof deterioration and causes mold, in-home odor, and leaks
- Impact – Refers to debris, such as tree branches and rocks, that cause varying damage depending on the size and weight of debris
To insurance agencies, your roof is the most important part of your home, so investing in homeowners insurance is wise. Regardless of coverage stipulations, your roof protects your family from the elements, and to continue to do so, it must remain in tip-top condition. So, if it’s damaged by weather or some natural disasters, like hurricanes or tornadoes, your roof is likely covered. But keep in mind, your provider still has the right to choose what kinds of damage are covered under your policy.
ROOF EXCLUSIONS WITHIN HOMEOWNERS POLICIES
A roof exclusion is a statement within your policy that confirms what your provider does not cover. Also known as coverage limitations, these statements are outlined on the declarations page, along with other exclusions. For this reason, it’s important to request a copy of your complete policy and read it thoroughly. Look for phrases like “reductions in premiums” or “reasons for reductions,” as these indicate the extent of your storm damage insurance.
While most providers assist homeowners in the case of severe weather, some natural disasters are not covered. Events like floods and earthquakes wreak havoc on your home’s structure or foundation, so they are more serious and require more work, which requires more money. For these reasons, you have the option to purchase a separate policy for floods through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a policy for earthquakes, if that coverage is available in your area.
OLDER ROOFS DAMAGED BY STORMS ARE HARDER TO COVER
It’s best to implement routine inspections if your roof is over 10 years old to catch red flags early and nip issues in the bud. If it’s been 10 years since the initial installation, the roof is reaching the second half or the latter years of its service life. Storm coverage or any other coverage is unavailable for roofs that have exceeded their life expectancy, which is an average of 20 years. If you have problems with your roof, it usually leads to maintenance issues within your home, which leads to more claims. Because of this, some insurers deny coverage of older roofs and won’t renew your policy. But there is a silver lining: if your roof passes inspection, your policy is eligible for renewal.
If you fail inspection and soon after you’re dealing with storm damage to your roof, you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. In other words, not only are you without insurance, but now you pay for a roof replacement or repairs out of pocket. The bottom line is your roof must be fixed or major issues will ensue. Once it’s fixed or replaced, make sure it’s covered with a new policy to protect it from future storm damage. Going without home insurance is risky, and it’s dangerous to ignore damage, as it will only worsen over time.
HELP WITH ROOFING CLAIMS FOR STORM DAMAGE
Stone Creek Roofing offers incomparable roofing services, including insurance claim assistance. Our insurance specialists are knowledgeable within the roofing and insurance industries, so they help you successfully navigate the difficulties of the roof insurance claims process. When your roof is damaged due to a storm, we understand that’s more than enough pressure. Our friendly and experienced specialists alleviate stress by going over your home insurance policy with you and identifying what can be done to solve your roofing problems. At Stone Creek, we’re more than a roofing company. We’re experienced and dedicated consultants who break down insurance complexities and provide practical, long-term solutions that are both time and cost effective.
