Roof damage isn’t something most people have to deal with often. In fact, roofs usually last for at least 20 years, so problems could be few and far between. When a problem does arise, many homeowners have questions, especially when it comes to insurance coverage. Almost all homeowners insurance policies come with a deductible for roof replacement in the form of a dollar amount or percentage of home value.
“Will homeowners insurance cover roof damage?”
The answer is it depends. Not all insurance policies are the same when it comes to coverage amounts, covered perils, and timeframe limitations for claims. The only way to know for sure is to review your insurance policy. We’ve put together this guide to help you quickly and easily identify if the damage to your roof would be covered by your policy.
A Few Things To Know In Advance:
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- The roof of your home is one of the most important parts of the structure of your home and typically covers standard insurance policies
- You will be paying your insurance deductible if you decide to file a claim
- Certain types of damage could trigger different deductible amounts as outlined in the policy
- Normal wear and tear or old age typically does not cover
- Storm damage is typically covered
What Caused The Roof Damage?
In order to know if roof damage is covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy, you first need to know what caused the damage to begin with. This can be a challenge for most homeowners, especially if you have an active roof leak.
If you have been hit by severe storms or are seeing signs of a roof problem, it is helpful to get a professional roof inspection before you call your insurance company. You’ll know what caused the damage and be able to review your policy to see if it is a “covered peril”.
What Is A “Covered Peril”
Most insurance policies are designed to cover unforeseen events. This means in order for insurance coverage to kick in, the event that caused the damage has to be something you couldn’t avoid or plan for.
For example, the damage is common after a severe weather event. You as a homeowner can’t plan when and where storms hit. Therefore, storm damage is considered an “unforeseen event” and is typically covered by homeowners’ insurance.
Will Filing A Claim Raise Your Rates?
This also depends on a variety of factors including the area you live in, the type of policy you have, the number of claims you have made overall, and what other policyholders are doing.
In most cases, your insurance company is not going to raise your rate for damage that falls into the “acts of god” category. This would be the unforeseen events you can’t plan for, like storm damage.
What If You Wait To File A Claim?
If you have damage to your roof and you can cover it under your policy, waiting to file a claim is NOT a good idea. The damage could get worse, and some insurance companies have time limits to file a claim. That means if you wait too long to file your claim, your insurance company could deny it, even if you can cover the damage.
Key Takeaways
- Get a professional roof inspection to know what caused the damage to your roof
- Review your insurance policy and review the “covered perils” and time limits on making a claim
- Rates typically do not increase for damage caused by “acts of god”
If you see signs of a problem, our team is here to help! Our inspections are fast, easy, and best of all they are FREE. We have years of experience needed to diagnose and repair small problems before they turn into costly repairs. Get started by calling us at 208-745-9002 to schedule an appointment or use our online contact form.
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