Your roof protects you from the elements, whether it’s the wind, rain, or the sun on a hot day. When you have a roof leak, water can spread throughout your home and compromise the integrity of your support structures with rot and lead to mold and mildew that can ruin your indoor air quality. A leaky roof can also impact your home’s energy efficiency by letting more air pass through, and water damage can destroy your roof insulation foam.
If you keep up with maintenance and clean your roof and gutters of debris, your residential roofing or commercial roofing system can last many years before it needs replacement, but not everything is in your control. UV rays from the sun, falling limbs, and hail damage your roofing material. While a roof repair can extend the lifespan of your roof, eventually, you will need to replace it. So does your homeowner’s insurance cover the cost for roof repairs? The answer isn’t always so straightforward.
Understanding your coverage
Most home insurance policies will pay to replace your roof due to damage caused by natural events or sudden accidents. Your insurance policy will also typically cover water damage caused by a roof failure as well. If you’re not sure where you’re covered and where you’re vulnerable with your policy, you should contact your insurance provider. The best time to address these questions with your insurer is before something happens. Take the time to understand your home insurance policy.
In order for your roof insurance claim to payout, you’ll have to meet the deductible. Typically, the lower your deductible is, the higher your premiums will be. While a high deductible can save you money each year, It’s crucial to choose a deductible that you can realistically meet so you’re not left with a policy you can’t afford to benefit from.
Your home insurance typically won’t cover the cost of repairs caused by natural wear and tear. However, many home warranties will cover these costs, and a good warranty is often worth the price because it also covers your HVAC system and other home appliances and systems.
Replacement cost vs. Fair Value Coverage
Your insurance policy is worded carefully, and while the fine print may make sense to an insurance agent, it’s not always clear to the person buying it. Some homeowner’s insurance will pay for the full cost of replacement for your roof, while others will only reimburse you for the fair market value of the materials.
That doesn’t mean it will cover the cost of what you paid for it, though. Fair market value accounts for depreciation. As your roofing materials wear out, they lose value, and the older they are, the less your insurance claim will pay out when it’s time to make one.
Standard replacement cost coverage will pay the full cost of roof replacement, provided you are replacing it with the same type of roof you insured, so it won’t cover the cost of a metal roofing solution if you’re replacing asphalt shingles. Some insurance riders, however, will pay a certain portion of an upgrade cost if you decide you want to replace a damaged roof with better materials.
Damages excluded by your home insurance policy
Every insurance policy is a little different, but most of them will come with a list of named exclusions. Depending on your specific roof coverage policy, you can pay an extra premium to include some of the exclusions, and many of them may be worth adding, depending on your area. Common exclusions are earthquakes, floods, storm damage, or hail damage. One of the most common exclusions to affect homeowners is neglect. If an insurance adjuster determines you’ve been neglecting your roof, they may deny you coverage, and the cost of replacing your roof will have to come entirely out of your pocket.
A professional roofing contractor can help you keep up with routine maintenance and help you prolong the life of your roof, and you should keep a record of every transaction on file to show your insurance adjuster if the time comes that you do need to initiate the roof insurance claim process for repair and reimbursement purposes. Routine roof maintenance will also allow your contractor to keep an eye out for leaks and other issues so you can prevent water damages and other issues caused by a leaky roof. Additionally, a well-maintained roof can lower your energy bills and keep your house more comfortable throughout the year.
San Diego’s premier roofing company
The San Diego roofing specialists at Preman Roofing-Solar have installed and maintained thousands of roofs since 1999, and we can work with your home warranty and insurance policy to ensure you get the coverage you deserve.
Our team of experienced roofers provides prompt service on a guaranteed timeline and budget, so there won’t be any surprises once you’ve seen our estimate. We also offer emergency financing for repair and replacement work so you can protect your home with no money down. Contact us today for a free quote and learn more about insurance coverage for your roof replacement.
