When you own a home, it is common practice to file a roofing insurance claim in the event that anything happens to the roof of your home. One point that is important to make is the fact that home insurance typically protects your home’s roof in specific circumstances.
If your roof is damaged due to vandalism, a fire, or some other sort of natural disaster, then it is likely that your home insurance policy will protect the roof. However, you should always double-check your home insurance policy so that you are aware of the sort of protection that your home insurance policy provides for your roof.
What If Your Home Has an Older Roof?
The age of your home’s roof is critical when discussing roof insurance and filing a roofing insurance claim. In the event that your home has a roof that is 20 years old or older, some of the insurance companies might hesitate to renew your current homeowner’s insurance unless the roof passes an inspection.
That is one thing that you should consider when you think about whether or not you want to purchase a home. You should also keep the cost of replacing the roof of your home in mind, as well. Some insurers will not even write new policies for a home that has a roof that is older than 20 years old.
These insurers will instead only pay the actual cash value for replacing the roof for these older roofs when they become damaged. In other words, the insurer does not actually cover the full cost of a roof that has been completely replaced. The insurer reimburses you for the amount that the older roof is worth, considering that it is more than 20 years old.
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Is It Expensive to Replace My Roof?
Roof replacement is certainly not cheap by any means. If you have to replace your roof, you might have to spend $10,000 to do so and you might even have to spend even more than that.
On the other hand, it might be necessary for you to spend the money to replace your roof in order to get a home insurance policy. Insurers will not renew your home insurance policy in the event that your roof fails an inspection unless you replace the roof.
What If You Have a Newer Roof?
Even if you have a roof that is less than 20 years old, you might find that you have to replace your roof. Natural disasters, fires, and vandalism are some of the most common reasons that homeowners have to replace a newer roof.
Certain US states, including the state of Florida, for example, are more susceptible to natural disasters, mainly hurricanes. A hurricane can definitely destroy your home’s roof if it is strong enough. However, there are plenty of other things that can damage your roof aside from natural disasters. Sometimes, normal weather can lead to damage.
What About Hail Damage?
Aside from natural disasters, vandalism, and fires, hail is another possible cause of roof damage.
One thing about hail damage roof insurance that you should know is that it is best to file an insurance claim due to hail damage right after you notice that your roof has suffered hail damage. Insurance companies are allowed to decide how much time they give you to file a claim after the qualifying incident, meaning the hail damaging your roof in this case.
Some of the insurance companies only give you 30 days after the qualifying incident to file a claim. However, the majority of insurance companies give you up to one year to file a claim following an incident.
Your insurance policy should clearly state how much time you have to file a claim. It is best to contact your insurance agent if you cannot find the time limit for filing a claim in your insurance policy.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Any Type of Roof Leaks?
To be frank, insurance does cover roof leaks; although it is to be expected from the owner that he will take proper precautions that no leak happens on the roof, or if there’s minor damage happens, he will take care of it.
In case it is found that even after seeing minor leaks, the homeowner hasn’t done anything about it, there might be a possibility that the insurer will not cover any damage that happens as a consequence of a leaky roof.
Home insurance policies cover any type of roof damage that is caused by vandalism, fire, or “Act of God” such as hurricane, tornado, earthquake, etc. If the roof gets damaged due to rain or hailstorm, then the coverage will happen based on the policy you have chosen or according to the age of the roof.
It is always better to check with the insurance company whether you will be fully or partially get reimbursement for your roof.
How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim for Roof Damage?
In order to file an insurance claim for your roof damage, you will have a timeframe mentioned in your policy in which you have to notify the insurer. Therefore, it is recommended to contact your insurer as soon as possible after any damage.
Following are the steps to file for an insurance claim:
- First, immediately contact your insurance company to know what are the things that are covered under your selected policy.
- If it is possible, you can show the “before” and “after” images of your roof to help the insurance company evaluate the damage.
- An insurance claim examiner will visit your place, schedule a time when he/she can come and look at the damage.
- A damaged roof is really risky and that’s the last thing you want to happen. Instead, get in touch with a qualified roofer quickly to get the damage repaired.
How Can You Protect Your Roof?
Here are some tips using which you can protect your roof:
- If your roof is more than 8-10 years old, it’s time to hire a roof inspector to make sure if any part needs any improvement.
- Replace or repair any broken tiles or worn shingles.
- If there’s any tree hanging over your roof, cut some of the branches.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as you find your roof is damaged.
