Will Home Insurance Cover My Roof Replacement?
Will insurance actually cover a roof replacement after storm damage? It’s…complicated. Generally, yes, but some circumstances can increase the risk of claim denial.
Will insurance actually cover a roof replacement after storm damage? It’s…complicated. Generally, yes, but some circumstances can increase the risk of claim denial.
Michigan weather can be volatile, and siding and roofs often bear the brunt of elemental damage. Although roofs are designed to perform in the environment they’re installed in, sometimes heavy wind can blow off shingles (especially if the nails holding the shingles were already loose), unexpected rainfall can introduce issues into a drainage system that then causes water damage on the roof, or hail can damage shingle granules.
If weather is involved, it’s normal to expect homeowners insurance to cover everything immediately. But any time insurance is involved, “complicated” should be the expectation. Unfortunately, there are many circumstances in which insurance companies will deny your claim. L&S can help aid homeowners through the claim process.
Although it’s impossible to cover every single circumstance, here are a few you can review as a starting point:
Insurance is likely to cover the cost of a roof replacement if a weather event or falling object caused the damage. Damage incurred from severe weather, high winds, hail, or a lightning strike is likely to be covered. The same applies if a tree or large branch falls onto your home and damages the roof.
Flooding and earthquakes usually require separate policies and aren’t standard in homeowners insurance.
A standard asphalt roof lasts between 20 and 30 years. That said, if you stay in a home for an extended period, or buy a home with an aging roof, you’ll likely have to invest in a new roof. Insurance won’t cover a new roof that has aged out or is close to aging out; insurance considers that a maintenance issue that the property owner is responsible for.
If you buy insurance coverage but an existing condition was present before the policy kicked in, insurance won’t cover it, regardless of the condition or policy type. The same applies to roofs under homeowners policies. A pre-existing roof condition is defined as wear, deterioration, or structural flaws that were present before a specific claim event. That said, if your roof sustains storm damage, but a known issue was present before the severe weather, insurance may not cover repairs or replacement.
Poor maintenance can also include pest damage, unaddressed leaks, rotting wood, workmanship errors, or failing to properly clear a roof of trim limbs and other yard debris.
DIY repairs are bad decisions all around. Even if you know what you’re doing, if you’re not licensed and insured, you are legally not qualified to perform roof repairs. When repairs aren’t managed by a professional, it can not only void existing roof warranties but also result in accidental damage that your homeowners policy won’t cover.
Installing a skylight, satellite dish, solar panel, or other piece of equipment without going through the proper permitting process will likely disqualify your roof from insurance coverage should you ever need to file a claim. If you’re making roof modifications, follow the proper process and work with a professional to install them.
Additionally, Michigan’s building codes only allow a maximum of two layers of roofing materials on a structure. A third layer, which you may add during DIY modifications, could void insurance coverage.
Insurance characterizes pest infestations as poor maintenance and neglected upkeep. For this reason, insurance won’t cover roofing damage from pests, whether that’s squirrels chewing through roofing material, birds building nests in soffits, or termites hollowing out fascia.
If your roof needs repair or replacement after an incident you believe is covered, start by filing a claim. From there, an insurance adjuster will contact you to schedule an inspection. While this inspection is a necessary part of the claims process, keep in mind that adjusters aren’t roofing professionals and may not understand the full extent of the damage, leading to inaccurate cost estimates. Some insurance companies will also switch older roofs to cash value or attach a roof surface payment schedule that reduces insurance payout by age.
We always suggest calling a roofing professional like L&S Home Improvements to join the insurance adjuster on the roof inspection to ensure the full scope of the damage is outlined and assessed.
Your roof doesn’t have self-healing properties; even if the damage seems insignificant, this damage won’t go away on its own and may, in fact, get worse as time passes.
If you’ve experienced a bad storm, inspect your roof (as safely as you can…don’t walk on your roof), and if you notice damage, contact your insurance company immediately and ensure a roofing professional is with the adjuster on the day of the inspection.
L&S Home Improvements helps homeowners throughout Southeast Michigan deal with the aftermath of storm damage. We offer flashing repair and resealing, shingle replacement, granule loss repair, decking repair, and more, and can coordinate with your insurance adjuster on your behalf.
Get started today with a free inspection.
