Can I Get Homeowners Insurance With A Bad Roof?

I have Homeowners Insurance – Does it Cover My Bad Roof?

Great! You have already passed the first hurdle – getting insurance. Whether or not your roof will be covered depends what coverages are outlined in your specific policy. If you’re not sure what your policy does and doesn’t cover give your insurance agent a call to review – they’re always there to help! So, no need to worry – you are not alone. 

It’s worth saying again that insurance companies will not pay for maintenance of your roof. Regular wear and tear are your responsibility. 

Below we outline some common damages that are covered in most homeowners insurance policies.

Common Damages to Your Roof Covered by Homeowners Insurance  

If there’s damage to your roof and the cause of the damage is covered then the carrier will pay for the claim. The leading causes of covered claims includes damages caused by storms and wind on roofs. Every insurance policy and every carrier are different. So, check with your insurance agent about covered perils in your contract. Here are some common scenarios – 

My Roof Leaks – Will it be Covered? 

Yes – if the cause of loss is covered. If the leak occurred because of wind damage or a storm then yes, your homeowners policy will usually pay. If the leak is due to neglect or lack of maintenance – chances are that claim might be denied.

What About Ice Damage to My Roof?

When it’s below freezing at night, and it rained for days, ice will accumulate on your roof. This can lead to overflowing water, blocked gutters or even roof collapse. Your policy may cover damage to your roof but not damage inside the home. 

A Tree Fell on My Roof!

In most instances a tree falling on your roof will be covered. Although when an inspection is done the carrier might ask for branches of a nearby tree that are overhanging the house to be  trimmed away from the roofline.

What About Squirrels and Racoons? 

They are adorable! But they can be very annoying at times, especially if they want to share the same roof with you. Don’t ignore the presence of rodents on your roof. Rodents start many house fires by chewing on electrical wires. That is why generally speaking if you have an appliance outside it must be covered to avoid letting little critters chew on the electrical connections and wires. That is also another reason the carriers have you trim the branches of trees overhanging the roof so the critters can’t jump straight from the tree to your roof. 

How Much Will I Get Paid for Roof Damage?

First you need to know if your roof is covered using replacement cost or actual cash value. If you’ve owned your home for a while but purchased it with a brand-new roof, the insurance underwriter was most definitely pleased and would have offered you the best possible coverage, which is replacement cost. 

What is Replacement Cost?

Replacement Cost is exactly what it sounds like, the cost to replace your entire home including the roof. The carrier uses what is called a Home Cost Estimator (HCE). The HCE takes the public features known about your house including the roof and creates a value for what the house might cost to be rebuilt. Now these are general numbers and many times the HCE will not be exact in attributes of the house so you should always check your HCE to make sure the most important characteristics of the house match up correctly. 

What is Actual Cash Value?

Actual Cash Value is insurance lingo to indicate that you will be paid on the cost to replace the roof minus depreciation (depreciation is considered the wear and tear on your house). If your roof was more than 30 years old when you bought your house there is a chance that your home insurance might be based on Actual cash value.