For those of us fortunate enough to own a home, having homeowners insurance is a legal necessity. However, some homeowners may not fully understand the scope of their coverage. Most home insurance policies cover roof replacement when the damage is a result of extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes and fires. Once you cross over into the land of yearly wear and tear, leaks, or tree branches falling on your home, the waters get a little muddied.

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One would think that your homeowners insurance would cover roofing repairs, especially since they claim to cover full roof replacements. Insurance, in theory, is there to help protect your home in the event of an incident. But if your roof is more than 10 years old, rarely does an insurance company pony up for the entire cost of repairs if your roof was damaged because of non-catastrophic events like hail, high winds or a tree crashing into your living room.

The best rule of thumb is to examine your policy thoroughly. It may be time-consuming, but if you don’t read the fine print, it could wind up costing you hundreds of dollars in the future. Amongst others, there are two main things your insurance company will consider before shelling out any money for roofing repairs or roof replacement.

• Age of Roof – The age of your roof plays a huge factor in how much of the damage your insurance company will cover. Typically, but not always true, your homeowners insurance will cover roof repairs or replacement if your roof is less than 10 years old. Even reputable insurance companies start to penalize you after the ten year marker. After your roof has held on for a decade, then your insurer may only cover the depreciated value of your roof. Meaning you will only be covered for what your insurance company deems is the present value of your roof.
• Documentation – Remember that insurers don’t stay in business by just paying out on claims all willy-nilly. They aren’t going to just freely hand over money simply because your roof was damaged. Having detailed documentation from the moment your roof was installed, record of inspections, any repairs, and any previous damage, will put you in the most advantageous position. This means taking a lot of boring, but very useful, pictures of your roof and gutters throughout the years. Keeping invoices of all repairs and maintenance.

ROOF REPAIR COSTS IN DIFFERENT STATES

So, your roof has been compromised and damaged, what’s next? Your next move will rely on several factors… Information, preparation, documentation and having a professional roofing company on your side.

It is a must that you contact a roofing contractor that has experience with insurance claims. They can help you navigate the complicated waters of insurance claims as it pertains to roof repair and replacement in your state. Having an outside opinion will prove to be a valuable asset when you are facing a large-scale project like roof replacement.

As with gas prices, cars, groceries, and just about any service or product for sale, prices differ depending on where you live in the United States. The same holds true with roof replacement and roofing services. According to a source, Southern regions and the Midwest are anywhere from 8-15% below the national average. While this may seem like a good thing, there is a reason for it.

The South and Midwest are prone to storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. Insurance companies, always trying to save a buck, typically will offer to bring in their own roofing company to do the work.

It is advised that you steer clear of this and push to have an independent estimate from a reputable roofing contractor. Otherwise, you may be opening yourself up to substandard work if you go with the roofer your insurance company has provided.

HOW TO GET YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY FOR ROOF REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR

Typically, insurance companies think it is up to the homeowner to keep their roof in good condition. If you can prove that you have done your part to preserve the integrity of your roof throughout the years, then they may be more motivated to help you.

• Fixing worn out or cracked shingles is a relatively easy and affordable way to stay on top of your roofing maintenance. Cracked shingles can be seen from the street. This is a red-flag to insurance adjusters that are looking for any reason to notate that your home has ‘fallen into disrepair’. If you stay on top of minor repairs, it could wind up saving you money down the road.
• Cut back any trees or branches that hang over your home. This is especially the case with dead or dying limbs. It is important to prune surroundings trees to prevent any possible damage from happening in the future.
• Take photos of your roof so you have them on file in case of any damage. If your roof is damaged, then take a set of “after” photos so you can document the damage and submit it to your insurance company.
• If your roof is over a decade old, you should get in touch with a licensed roofing company and a reputable roofing inspector. They can help you detect leaks before they occur and help you be proactive before serious wear and tear sets in.
• Understand your homeowners insurance policy. Knowledge is power. Knowing what your policy covers is important. That way you have as much information when you move forward with a claim.

The truth is, insuring roofs that are 20 years or older is getting more difficult, if not impossible. Taking good care of your existing roof gives you the best chance of getting the coverage you deserve. If you are proactive and treat your new roof with care and consideration, when disaster strikes, you will be able to get your roof fixed in an affordable and expeditious manner.

For close to 40 years, PetersenDean has been delivering superior roofing installation replacement services to customers throughout the United States. If you need a fair and affordable roofing consultation, call PetersenDean today: 1-888-893-5222