Whether or not your home insurance covers your roof depends on two things: the old one on your roof and the source of damage. If your roof is damaged by something covered by your home insurance policy, the insurance company will probably help you with a repair or replacement. However, how payments for that billing work depends primarily on the age of the roof. Your home insurance company may only agree to cover the old roof for actual cash value. This may mean a cheaper premium, but generally offers less coverage. Alternatively, if the roof is qualifying, you can guarantee the value of the replacement cost. This usually costs more, but offers better financial protection.
How does roof insurance work?
Your home insurance is designed for sudden and accidental losses rather than general repairs. Home insurance does not cover the roof if maintenance is required. Your policy will only serve losses caused by covered dangers. There are two ways in which insurance companies can insure your roof. Actual cash value or replacement cost value. Actual cash value (ACV) is not the depreciation rate (RCV) to payment of claims. This is why payments for ACV claims are usually lower.
If the roof is old, the insurance company may only agree to coverage for actual cash value. In many cases, older roofs tend to be less resilient and cause claimed damage. To reduce expensive claims, home insurance companies may refuse to guarantee old or worn roofs at alternative costs.
learn more: How to read homeowner insurance
How is your roof covered with insurance in your home?
Your roof is covered in the housing part of your home insurance (called coverage a). In the HO-3 and HO-5 policies (the two most common types of home insurance), the roof is covered with an open paryl base. This means your roof will be financially protected from any kind of loss, except those specifically excluded from your policy. The exact exclusions may vary by company, but usually include:
- Flood damage
- earthquake
- maintenance
- pest
- Normal wear and tears
- procrastination
- war
- Nuclear Hazard
- Government actions
- Intentional damage
In hurricane and storm-prone states such as Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Carolina, Texas and Hawaii, wind may also be excluded from your policy. In that case, you will need to have another wind insurance or approval to protect the roof.
Types of roof damage
Home insurance can only cover roof replacements if the damage is caused by a covered police hazard. There are two main types of roof damage in roof insurance. Damage due to covered loss or normal wear. For example, if the roof has leaks or damage from a covered hazard such as hail, blizzard, falling tree branches, wind, fire, or other, the insurance company will usually intervene to pay for the repair or replacement up to the coverage limit (assuming that the insurance contract has no roof exclusions).
However, if there is a leak that is not related to the covered hazard – for example, it is due to things like structural failure, lack of maintenance, and roof age. Insurance rarely covers roof repairs or replacements. Continuous roof maintenance and maintenance is important not only to maintain the roof, but also to take advantage of the financial protections provided by homeowner insurance.
If you don’t know what your home insurance covers and doesn’t cover, talk to your insurance agent so you’re not ready.
What steps should homeowners take to protect their roofs?
Roofs are expected to withstand weather conditions, but well-maintained roofs are usually more resilient to the elements. You may not want to regularly replace your entire roof, but continuous maintenance will protect your roof and ensure it will hold better over time.
Here’s how to protect your roof:
- Schedule regular inspections: If you notice leaks or other signs that your roof is holding up or that it may be suffering from damage, hire a roof inspector to determine if there are structural issues. You can schedule inspections every few years to address small issues before they become important issues.
- Pruning nearby trees: Trees are one of the most common causes of roof damage. Branches and other debris can cause roof damage during storms and strong winds. Reducing and pruning nearby tree branches can minimize this type of damage.
- Keep the grooves clean: The grooves are intended to carry water away from the roof. It’s far from the roof. If the groove is filled with leaves and debris, the water can overflow onto the roof, weakening the structure and causing internal leaks.
A new roof is needed. What now?
A new roof is a huge investment. The average cost of replacing a roof is around $9,520. Start by looking for a roofing company with a good reputation. Referrals from friends and family can be helpful, but it is always a good idea to make sure your company is licensed, bound and insured.
In addition to choosing the right company, the type of material you choose can make a big difference in how long the roof lasts. As mentioned above, the average life expectancy of an asphalt iron roof is 20 years. Below are some of the most common materials used to make shingles, as well as the costs associated with the expected lifespan.
| Iron fragment | Replacement cost | Life expectancy* |
|---|---|---|
| copper | Up to $19,500 | Over 50 years |
| slate | Up to $50,000 | Over 50 years |
| concrete | Up to $24,000 | Over 50 years |
| clay | Up to $50,000 | Over 50 years |
| asphalt | Up to $15,785 | 20 years |
| Shingles of fibre cement | Up to $16,500 | 25 years |
| wood | Up to $15,645 | 30 years |
| *According to the National Association of Home Builders |
Additionally, solar iron pieces are available. Though expensive, these are basically small solar panels that can be integrated into the entire roof along with another iron piece type.
Roof repair and roof replacement
When deciding whether to repair or replace your roof, you should consider the following options:
| repair… | I’ll exchange it… |
|---|---|
| If the damage is minor and localized | If damage is widespread |
| If the roof is under 10 years old | If you have an old roof or plan to sell your home in the near future |
| If a new piece of iron does not affect the curb complaint of the house | If the repair cost is close to the cost of a complete replacement |
