Is your home’s roof damaged and in desperate need of replacement? If so, you can expect to pay about $10,000 on average for a new roof.
But before paying for a brand-new roof, find out the answer to the question, “Does homeowners’ insurance cover roof damage?” If you have a policy that offers roof replacement cost coverage, it may prevent you from having to foot the bill for this expensive home improvement project.
Keep reading to learn when homeowners’ insurance does and does not cover roof damage.
When Homeowners’ Insurance Does Cover Roof Damage
The answer to the question, “Does homeowners’ insurance cover roof damage?” is “yes” in many cases. You can file a homeowners’ insurance claim for roof damage as long as your roof is damaged by one of the covered perils listed in your policy.
Said perils typically include:
- Fire
- Wind
- Hail
- Falling trees
Depending on where you live, you may also have a homeowners’ insurance policy that covers roof damage caused by hurricanes.
At the same time, some homeowners’ insurance companies might have certain policy exclusions. They may prevent you from filing claims when roof damage is caused by things like wind and hail based on your location.
When Homeowners’ Insurance Does Not Cover Roof Damage
While the answer to the question, “Does homeowners’ insurance cover roof damage?” is often “yes,” this isn’t always the case. For instance, if your roof is damaged due to regular wear and tear, your homeowners’ insurance policy won't usually cover it.
Roof damage also won’t be covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy when it’s damaged by:
- Animals
- Flooding
- Earthquakes
Additionally, your homeowners’ insurance policy may not cover your roof if you’ve failed to perform the proper roof maintenance over the years. Roof age limitations may also impact your ability to file roof damage claims through your homeowners’ insurance company.
How To File a Homeowners’ Insurance Claim for Roof Damage
If you believe your homeowners’ insurance policy covers roof damage, file a claim through your insurance company as soon as you can. You can do this by taking these steps:
- Documenting the damage done to your roof
- Contacting your homeowners’ insurance company to start the claim process
- Allowing an insurance adjuster to inspect your roof
- Selecting a roofing contractor to replace your roof
Just make sure you’re prepared to pay any deductibles that come along with filing a roof damage claim. You should also know that your insurance company may only provide you with the actual cash value of your roof. This may only cover a portion of the roof replacement cost.
What To Do If a Homeowners’ Insurance Claim for Roof Damage Is Denied
Even if you think the answer to the question, “Does homeowners’ insurance cover roof damage?” should be “yes,” your insurance company might still deny your claim. Be sure to respond to a claim denial letter accordingly.
Reach out to a lawyer who has experience handling residential property insurance claim cases. They can review the letter you received and tell you which steps to take next. This could very well help convince your insurance company to approve your claim in the end.
Call Us If You Encounter Issues With a Homeowners’ Insurance Claim
If you asked, “Does homeowners’ insurance cover roof damage?” and thought the answer would be “yes,” receiving a claim denial letter can leave you feeling frustrated. You might wonder what you’re going to do if you know you can’t afford to cover the cost of replacing a roof yourself.
Let McLaurin Law, PLLC, review your case and help you seek a more favorable outcome. Contact us at 713-461-6500 today.
