For the sixth consecutive year, the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season has produced an above-average number of severe, named storms. For the third time, the season exhausted every name on the National Hurricane Centers conventional list. Of course, this only includes the most extreme storms of the year and excludes minor storms which still cause roof damage.
High winds, heavy rain, hailstorms, ice storms, and other natural disasters can cause serious damage to roofs and problems for homeowners. Does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement? is one of the most common questions we receive from customers.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover roof replacement?
Yes, homeowners’ insurance does cover roof replacement. However, the roof damage needs to meet certain criteria of the insurance company.
Roof damage that homeowner’s insurance may cover:
Fire and smoke
Home, garages, and sheds and their roof structures are typically covered from fire and smoke damage. If the damage is so severe that residents of the home need to live elsewhere while damage is repaired, homeowners’ insurance will typically cover at least part of these housing expenses.
Lightning strikes
Lightning strikes are common during New England storm season. Thankfully, many policies cover roof damage from lightning if your home has the unfortunate luck of being struck.
Wind damage
Wind damage is one of the most common roof insurance claims we see. Many times, strong winds loosen fastened shingles from the roof deck. When you begin to see roofing shingles not aligned properly or find them on the ground around the home, you can expect wind damage to be the culprit. Roof damage from wind is usually covered under a general homeowners insurance policy.
Hail damage
More common outside of Connecticut, but still prevalent, hail damage is a frequent claim on homeowners insurance policies.
Storm damage
Often occurring during wind damage, roof problems occurring from storm damage are often covered by homeowners’ insurance policies. Especially during the New England storm season, this is a common cause of roof replacement and roof insurance claims.
Damage from an aircraft, car, or vehicle
Although quite uncommon, most homeowners’ policies cover damage sustained from an airplane or vehicle.
Falling objects
Falling object claims can range anywhere from meteors or something as common as a tree falling on homes. Regardless, most insurance companies help pay for repairs resulting from these instances.
Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
When heavy, wet snow causes your roof to cave in or have other damage, homeowners’ policies usually help cover the sustained damage.
Water damage
Water damage is a bit trickier to lump in one category as far as being covered or not. This type of damage, when sustained from roof damage that is covered by homeowners’ insurance, may be covered by your policy. However, water damage from roof leaks that are not covered by insurance, will most likely not be covered by the homeowner’s policy.
When it comes to water damage from burst pipes, if the burst pipe is sudden and accidental, it is usually covered. However, if the burst pipes are due to a lack of maintenance, they are often not covered. When it comes to flooding, this often requires a separate flood insurance policy to be covered.
One thing to remember is that homeowners’ insurance policies never cover damage sustained from a lack of maintenance or wear and tear. Typically, these policies do usually help cover sudden, accidental damage.
Here are some signs you could notice on your roof that may be covered by homeowners’ insurance:
- Missing roofing shingles
- Hail damage
- Damage caused by a falling object
- Wind damage
- Sleet, snow, or rain damage
Although these perils are typically covered through homeowners’ insurance, they may not be. It is important you check your personal insurance policy to find out exactly what is covered. Each policy is different, and this article should not act as a guide and may not reflect your actual policy.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover roof replacement?
As a New England-based roofing company, we find roof leaks covered by homeowners’ insurance policies frequently. It is important to document all issues and contact your local insurance agent as soon as the problem occurs. Many times, roofing companies will also ask that you sign a contingency agreement prior to taking photos, documenting, or discussing the issue with your agent.
This acts as an assurance that you will hire that roofing company to perform the work before they begin working on your behalf. Make sure you read this documentation carefully, however, this is a common practice that roofing companies perform.
If you have any questions regarding filing an insurance claim for your roof damage, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at (860) 546-6292. We can set up a free project consultation with you regarding your roof leak or roof damage. We know it can be difficult to answer the question, Does homeowners’ insurance cover roof replacement?
