Is My Roof Issue Covered By Insurance?

Knowing what your insurance will cover when it comes to roofing issues is very important to a homeowner. Usually, a damaged roof ends up creating more problems. So, insurance companies are becoming more and more strict in the hopes of keeping roof claims to a minimum.

Orange Roofing, a residential roofing contractor in Kennesaw and one of the top roofing contractors in Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas, wants to help you figure out what is covered by your insurance and, more importantly, what might not be.

It’s All About the Age of Your Roof

20 years old is the magic number. That’s right – you may have trouble renewing your homeowner’s insurance if your roof is more than 20 years old. The insurance company will probably ask that you get your roof inspected. If the roof fails, you’ll need to get it replaced.

Some insurers are also no longer writing policies if the roof of the home is over 20 years old, inspection or not. They won’t pay for the cost of a new roof but will cover cash value of the current value of the roof.

Yes, replacing a roof is an expensive proposition. However, you may not have a choice if it comes down to that or going without a homeowner insurance policy. Knowing a good roofing contractor such as Orange Roofing can help to minimize the cost of a roof replacement.

What About Damage?

The standard homeowner insurance policy covers fire, vandalism and “acts of God.” An “act of God” is generally considered to be a hurricane or tornado, but is not usually wind, rain, or hail.

If your roof sustains wind, rain or hail damage that is not part of a hurricane or tornado, it’s all about the age of the roof. Generally, if your roof is pretty young (10 years old or newer), the insurance company will probably cover all damage. However, if you have an older roof (and definitely if it’s 20 years old or more), then you will probably not receive full damage pay. You should expect to receive only the current value of the roof.

How About a Leaky Roof?

Insurance companies think leaky roofs are the responsibility of the homeowner. As the homeowner, you are expected to take reasonable precautions to maintain the upkeep of the property. Getting roof leaks fixed promptly before other damage can occur falls under this category.

Be warned; if a leaky roof isn’t fixed right, you may be on the hook for the full amount of damages. Here again, knowing a good contractor such as Orange Roofing can make a huge difference.

Take Steps Before Damage Occurs

Orange Roofing suggests that you take pictures of your roof before any damage occurs. This way, you can document exactly how the roof looked “before” and “after.” If your roof is over 10 years old, get it inspected. Replace any broken or damaged shingles or tiles. Prune back tree limbs or other overhanging vegetation. A good contractor such as Orange Roofing, your residential roofing contractor in Kennesaw, GA, can help inspect your roof for free and suggest repairs that will minimize damage down the road.