June 3

4 Types of Roof Damage that Is Covered by Insurance

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Roof damage exposes your home to rain, wind, and debris. Your home's structure and furnishings can all be destroyed.  This is why when we buy a home, we have homeowners insurance to cover the repairs needed from roof damage. The dwelling coverage in a homeowners insurance policy helps protect your home's structure, including the roof, from certain causes of damage.

roof damage insurance

Is Your Roof Protected?

Homes require a lot of maintenance. You have to worry about the siding, the interior, and the landscaping, not to mention the roof.

Repairs on the roof should be made as soon as possible. Failing to make prompt repairs can lead to more damage, adding to the cost of repairs.

All homeowners should know what types of damage their insurance policy covers and what it does not. Here are four situations where the damages may be covered, although you should always check your policy or contact your insurance agent for confirmation.

1. House Fires

If a fire were to suddenly break out in your home, a standard insurance policy would reimburse you for the cost of the roof damage, up to your coverage limits. This includes roof damages due to a house fire that is sudden and accidental, including electrical fires and forest fires. However, fires caused intentionally or by negligence or deterioration over time would not be covered.

2. Hail

Hailstorms can happen almost anywhere, and we’ve had our share in the area. Depending on where you live, homeowners insurance will usually cover hail damage to your roof and other parts of your home. But hail is more frequent in certain areas of the country, and insurance policies in those regions are more likely to include restrictions to their hail damage coverage.

3. Strong Winds

Tornadoes and hurricane-strength winds come through our area during certain seasons. They can cause major property damage. For homeowners, these winds can wreak havoc on a roof. Strong winds can uproot roof shingles and cause trees to fall on your roof.  These  instances can lead to leaks and structural damage to the building. 

Homeowner’s insurance covers repairs for damages resulting from these circumstances. If the contents of your home are ruined as the result of a covered roof claim, personal property coverage may help pay to repair or replace them. If the roof of your shed or detached garage is damaged by the same storm, it may also be covered by the homeowners insurance policy.

Some homeowner’s insurance policies may have windstorm exclusions, which means damage caused by those strong winds would not be covered. It is important to read your policy to learn whether yours lists any exclusions.

4. Vandalism

Vandalism is purposely destroying someone’s property without their consent.  If someone damages your home, you should not be left responsible. That’s why most homeowners insurance policies include coverage for acts of vandalism to protect you from vandals who intentionally cause harm.

What Your Insurer Needs to Know

When you want to file a claim with your insurer, here are some questions that you will need to be prepared to answer.

  • What caused the damage? Your insurance company will need to know the original cause of the roof damage.  Natural disasters, accidental fires, or vandalism are covered. If it was simply wear-and-tear on the roof that caused the damage, your insurance company likely won’t cover anything.
  • How old is the roof? The age of your roof will always play a factor when it comes to an insurance claim. A roof that is less than 10 years old is generally considered newer. A 20-year-old roof or older might result in a coverage amount that reflects what the roof is worth at the time of the damage. Other factors may also be considered, such as roofing materials.
  • What was the condition of the roof before the damage occurred? Getting a professional roofer to inspect the roof on a regular basis before damage occurs is a good practice so you have a record of its condition. You can show the insurance company that there was no pre-existing damage. If you can show that you have taken care of your roof with regular maintenance and attentive care, you are more likely to get better insurance coverage.

Trusted Roofing Professionals

Home insurance companies view roofs as one of the most important parts of a home. Roofs protect homes from the elements, which also prevent home insurance claims.

Brian Dawson Roofing can help you maintain your roof with regular inspections and routine maintenance. We can also repair or replace your roof if you've experienced damage and know how to engage with insurance companies.

Contact us today for a free roof inspection.


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