How to Get Home Insurance to Cover Roof Repairs & Replacements: A Short Guide

Roof damage can manifest in several ways. Mold growth, sagging, or noticeable leakages could all be signs that a roof must be repaired or replaced.

Unfortunately, roof repairs and replacements can be very expensive propositions. Depending on roofing materials that will be required, the extent of the damage, and the size of your roof, the process could cost anywhere between $300 and $45,000.

When faced with such a massive roofing solutions bill,  one begins to wonder: does home insurance cover roof repairs? And if so, how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement?

The answer depends on a few factors, such as the terms of your insurance policy and the cause of damage. Read on to find out whether any of this applies in your case and to find out will insurance pay for a new roof.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Replacement?

The good news is that a homeowners insurance policy will generally cover losses and damages to a residence, including costs associated with roof repairs and replacement.

However, there are some limitations to this coverage. The damage must be caused by a sudden act or a natural event. There are only a few situations where roof repair insurance will completely cover roof repairs.

What kind of roof damage is covered by insurance?

Fire and smoke

Lightning

Riots and vandalism

Damage caused by rain, hailstorms, or excessive snow and ice

Theft

Accidental pipe bursts

There are some cases in which the process of getting a new roof through insurance may be a lot harder or not possible at all. Most of these issues are caused by a lack of care and maintenance, such as:

General wear and tear over a period of time

Cracking or warping of a house’s foundation

Damage caused by pets or through negligence

In a nutshell, roof insurance coverage only applies if the damage caused was not a result of a lack of maintenance on the part of the owner. The resulting impairment must also not just be cosmetic. It should threaten further damage to the structural integrity of the roof and the building itself.

Note that in some areas prone to severe weather conditions, such as earthquakes and floods, a homeowners policy may have to be supplemented with additional coverage, such as a hurricane insurance policy.

If the damage to your roof is due to covered causes and your paperwork is in order, the process of getting a new roof through insurance shouldn’t be too taxing.

The Process of Getting a New Roof Through Insurance

Which brings us to the question: how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement?

When pursuing roof repair insurance or filing for roof insurance coverage claims, some general practices can ease the way.

For starters, take very clear and detailed photographs of the damage to your roof. This will be submitted as evidence that it needs to be replaced or repaired.

Because insurance policies generally do not cover issues caused by a lack of maintenance, you should collect all receipts related to repair work to prove that your roof was not damaged due to negligence.  

Once all your paperwork—including a copy of your insurance policy, repair receipts, and before and after photos of your roof—is in order, call the insurance company for an inspection. They will then send out an adjuster to inspect the damage and provide their own assessment before deciding if you are eligible for roof repair insurance.

Some insurance companies will also have their own network of pre-approved qualified contractors you can work with. These contractors won’t charge for an estimate, and their work will be covered by a warranty.

How Often Will Insurance Pay for a New Roof?

Roof insurance claims may be rejected. Don’t be discouraged if this happens, as a claim can always be tweaked and resubmitted.

Consider the age of your roof when you ask yourself, how often will insurance pay for a new roof? The older it is, the harder it will be to make the most of roof insurance coverage. Many insurance companies do not offer roof repair insurance for even the best flat roof systems that are older than 25 years old.

If it doesn’t make sense to file a claim—for example, the repair costs are not much higher than your deductible—it’s best to shoulder the expenses. Filing repeated claims only increases your premium when you renew your policy, as your home is deemed riskier to cover.

The Bottom Line: File Insurance, But Also Protect Yourself

At the end of the day, the answer to the question does home insurance cover roof repairs and replacement? is yes, albeit with certain caveats.

Provided the issues aren’t caused by negligence or the general age of your roof, and there is sufficient proof that the damage is not simply cosmetic, you should have no trouble with the process of getting a new roof through insurance.

So how do you improve your chances of roof insurance coverage? Follow some of these simple steps:

Pay extra attention to the roof installation process. Hire only trusted companies, and don’t skimp out on structural integrity.

Choose quality roofing materials and roof shingles. This will help you in the long run if you need to file a roof insurance coverage claim.

Hire licensed professionals to conduct regular inspections or offer additional roof installation tips.

Pay extra attention to your roof and identify leaks or damage in the early stages. Any negligence will make claims more difficult in the long run.

Get Shelter With AMECO Roofing Solutions

Filing for roofing insurance coverage claims may seem like a complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. Solar company AMECO Solar & Roofing Solutions has a dedicated team of experts willing to answer any questions you may have.

How often should you replace your roof? What is the best time of year to replace your roof?  With close to 50 years of expertise in the field, AMECO can show you the way.