Filing a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage
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DOCUMENT your damage!
Most insurers cover the following perils when it comes to your roof:
- Fire
- Hail
- Wind
- Vandalism
- Lightning strikes
- Falling objects (such as a tree in a windstorm)
- “Acts of God” (generally considered events outside human control, like natural disasters)
Are you covered?
Roof damage may not be covered if:
- You have an old roof (10-20 years or older)
- The roof has not been maintained, which leads to the roof damage
- Intentional or accidental damage on the homeowner’s part
- You live in a state with windstorm or hail storm exclusions (states where hurricanes and hail storms are common, such as Florida and Texas)
Filing A Roof Damage Insurance Claim
If you have roof damage that needs repairing, you have to file a claim with your homeowners insurance company. Navigating the process of filing a claim can vary slightly by insurance company but generally the steps include:
Do I have to file a claim before repairing my roof?
It is best to file a roof damage claim before repairing the roof. The insurance company may require you to work with an approved roof contractor to make the repairs. In some cases, the insurance company might decide to replace the roof rather than repair it. You can hire a professional to tarp the roof or protect it in some other way until the full repair or replacement is made.
Will my claim be denied because my roof is old?
It is possible that an insurance claim for roof damage will be denied because of the age of the roof. If the roof is too old or the damage is caused by normal wear and tear, it is unlikely that your insurance policy is going to cover the cost to repair the damage or replace the roof. SFGate estimates the average life expectancy of an asphalt shingle roof is 20 to 40 years while wood shingles should last for 30 years and fiberglass shingles should last 50 years.
Disclosure
KTW Roofing is not affiliated with any insurance carriers or underwriters. The information above is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee your claim will be approved by your insurance carrier. All decisions regarding any insurance products, including approval for coverage, premium, commissions and fees, will be made solely by the insurer underwriting the insurance under the insurer’s then-current criteria. All insurance products are governed by the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the applicable insurance policy. Please see a copy of your policy for the full terms, conditions and exclusions. Any information on the Site does not in any way alter, supplement, or amend the terms, conditions, limitations or exclusions of the applicable insurance policy and is intended only as a brief summary of such insurance product. Policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the issuing insurance carrier.