Considering filing a homeowners insurance claim for a damaged roof? Homeowners insurance may cover your roof repairs if a fallen tree damages it. Your policy may also cover roof damage caused by fire, a hurricane, or a tornado.
Below are other things to consider when it comes to homeowners insurance and your roof damage.
Types of roof damage your homeowners insurance may cover?
Typically, your insurance covers your home's structure, which includes the roof. If your roof damage is weather-related, your coverage will be determined by the age of your roof and the type of policy you hold. So, if your roof needs repairs after a hail storm or a tree that topples onto it during a windstorm, you may find that your dwelling coverage helps cover the cost, minus your deductible. If the contents of your home are ruined as the result of a covered roof claim, personal property coverage may help pay to repair or replace them.
If the roof of your shed or detached garage is damaged by the same storm, it may be covered by the homeowners insurance policy, that's if the damage is caused by a covered peril. A peril, as referred to in an insurance policy, is a cause of loss, such as fire or theft. Coverage can be provided on an "all perils" basis, or a "named perils" basis. Named Perils policies list exactly what is covered by the policy, while Open Perils (or All Perils) policies will list what is excluded from coverage.
Note that some homeowners insurance policies may have windstorm and hail exclusions, which means damage caused by those perils would not be covered. It is important to read your policy to learn whether yours lists any exclusions.
Will my homeowners insurance cover roof leaks?
Homeowners insurance may cover a roof leak if it is caused by a covered peril. Suppose your roof is damaged by fire, hail, or wind; which results in a leak, in those cases, your homeowners policy may help pay to repair the roof leak.
One thing to keep in mind is, homeowners insurance generally does not cover damage resulting from lack of maintenance or wear and tear. Instead, it typically helps pay to repair sudden, accidental damage. So, if age or an unresolved maintenance issue are to blame for your leaky roof, your homeowners insurance won't pay to repair or replace it. That's one reason why you need to conduct regular roof inspections.
Leaks and other roof repairs can be fixed all year round. If you need your roof repaired or replaced, contact Graves Bros. Home Improvement Co., your trusted reliable contractor. Contact us today and we'll have one of our roofing professionals conduct a full roof inspection and give you a free quote.