The answer: it depends on what caused the roof damage.
Most homeowners insurance policies offer two types of home roofing coverage: repair coverage and replacement coverage. These roof insurances either reimburse you for a percentage of the roof repair cost or pay for the replacement of an irreparable roof. However, not all roof damage will be covered by your insurance. Most policies will pay only if the damage was a result of an act of nature or an unusual and unpreventable accident. For example, if a hail storm or fallen tree damages your roof you may qualify for repair or replacement coverage. But if your roof is damaged due to wear-and-tear or neglect, you will likely not be covered.
The price of a new roof for most homeowners isn’t an out-of-pocket expense they can afford. If you want to reduce your expenses by submitting a homeowners insurance claim to cover roof damage, here are some things to consider.
Considerations for Coverage
As stated before, if your roof’s damage was caused by an act of nature or an unforeseen accident—the roof caved in, a storm ripped off asphalt shingles, or a fire caused damage—coverage is likely for your roof replacement. But let’s say you have damage due to squirrels. Your insurance may consider this to be a rodent problem and not offer coverage. Maybe you noticed your roof leaks. Depending on the cause of the leak, your insurance company might claim that the water damage occurred as a result of poor maintenance. Depending on the circumstances, there’s a chance that your homeowners policy won’t pay to repair or replace your roof. What gets approved depends entirely on your insurance policy.
Most policies are written as “perils” or causes of damage. You may have a “named peril” policy that covers your home against only the perils listed on your policy. It’s up to you as a homeowner to prove that the damage your roof faces was the result of a covered peril for your policy to apply. On the contrary, you might have an “open peril” policy. This policy is more comprehensive usually covering all damage with some exceptions. Make sure to review your homeowners policy and see what perils are covered under your policy.
Getting Reimbursed for a New Roof
The first step to having your insurance company pay for a new roof is to submit a claim. The insurance company may send out an adjuster to inspect your roof and make an assessment of the claim. Before the adjuster comes out, it’s important to gather your documents, including a copy of your home’s insurance policy. Note the date of the damage and take photos. If you can’t reach your roof and document take photos yourself, call a roofing company for an inspection. And if you’ve had previous repair work done make sure to provide those receipts as well. All of this will be necessary for the claims process.
After you’ve submitted your roof insurance claim, find a trustworthy roofing company to perform a roofing inspection. They can look for damage and make a report for your insurance company. Even if the insurance company sends out their inspector, it’s important to hire an outside roofing contractor to give yourself the best chance to have your claim approved. Remember, you still have to pay your policy deductible if your claim gets approved.
Let Constellation Home Provide Your New Roof
If your roofing claim is approved, contact Constellation Home to complete your new roof installation. We provide both roof replacement and roof installation services in the Baltimore area. Our team of professionals will help you find the right roofing for your home and have experience dealing with insurance claims. We’ll work with you and your insurance company to make getting your new roof as smooth as possible.
For a free roof quote, request an estimate online or call 1-888-243-4663.
