Posted May 22, 2025 | Anderson Roofing
A storm, a fire, or another disaster has caused significant damage to your roof. You need roofing work done now but haven’t budgeted for a new roof or roof repair. However, you do have homeowner’s insurance. Will your insurance cover roof damage and pay for your new roof? How much will they pay? Do they pay the roofing contractor, or do you? The stress in the aftermath of a disaster is not always the best time to look for these answers, so it’s best to be well-informed before disaster strikes. You have home insurance with the hope that you’ll never need it, but can you trust that it will be there for you if you do?
A standard home insurance policy will pay to replace your roof if it’s damaged beyond repair by a fire, lightning, a tornado, hurricane, or ice storm, including damage from the weight of snow or ice, a falling object like a tree, and vandalism. Wind and hail have historically been covered, but in recent years, more policies are beginning to exclude wind and hail damage.
In most cases, damage that won’t be covered involves your negligence. If you neglected to maintain your roof or put off a replacement for years, causing your roof to fail, your homeowner’s insurance likely won’t cover any repairs or replacement. Even if the damage from a gradual roof leak is now severe, if it’s determined that you’ve known about the leak and ignored the need for repair, your claim will almost certainly be denied. Damage from pests or rot and mold is usually not covered.
However, some events that are out of your control may damage your roof and still won’t be covered. Depending on your policy and where you live, damage from earthquakes, flooding, or even high winds may not be covered. Policies may specifically exclude damage from these storms in areas prone to tornadoes and hurricanes. Many homeowners who don’t live in these areas find that their policies have changed in recent years to exclude windstorm damage.
To know whether your insurance will cover your roof damage, you need to understand your policy. In most cases, roof insurance is included under dwelling coverage. This means that you don’t need special insurance for your roof. However, because not all damage is covered, you need to know what events are eligible for coverage, which should be clearly outlined in your policy. You must also pay attention to the language in your policy because that can make a big difference. Roof coverage can cover actual cash value (what your roof is worth at the time of the damage) or replacement cost value (exactly what it will cost to repair or replace your roof). In addition, your policy will state if there is a special deductible for roof damage and how much that deductible is. Although it feels tedious, re-reading your policy every time you renew your homeowner’s insurance is important so you know what to expect in case something happens.
Can your roof be repaired, or does it need to be replaced? Do you get to decide, or does the insurance company? Some homeowners see the opportunity to have their insurance company pay for a new roof as a silver lining of a catastrophic event, but that isn’t always the case. Most insurance adjusters will go with the lowest-cost option. Insurance will likely only cover the repair cost if a roofing contractor feels that they can repair the damaged area without a total roof replacement. If you opt to replace the roof, you must cover the difference. However, if more than 40% of your roof is damaged, most insurance companies will agree to a replacement.
Even if the damage is covered, the claims process may not be as simple as you’d hoped. The age and condition of your roof can factor into how much you will get for a roof replacement. You won’t need to worry if you have replacement cost value written into your policy, which is typically included in newer builds and homes with new roofs. However, if your roof is over fifteen years old, your policy likely covers the actual cash value of your roof, factoring in depreciation, which the insurance adjuster will calculate. You’ll also need to wade through the deductible process, which may vary depending on what caused the damage. To best make it through the claims process, there are some things you can do to help.
Understanding your policy is the best way to know what to expect if you face significant roof damage. When you choose a high-quality, local roofing contractor, they can help you navigate the process quickly and get your home and family safe and covered again.
If your roof has been damaged and you’re unsure what your insurance will cover, Anderson Roofing is here to help. We’ll provide a thorough inspection, offer an honest estimate, and guide you through the claims process. Contact us today to get started.
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