Being a homeowner comes with countless responsibilities, and the majority of them protect their investment with homeowner’s insurance.
A good policy will cover any detached property, personal belongings, and the home itself, including your roof. But what happens if your roof becomes damaged?
Read more about this type of insurance and your roof below.
Q: Does homeowner’s insurance cover my roof?
A: Generally speaking, yes. A typical insurance policy will cover your roof and the cost of repairs or replacement if it becomes damaged. However, the fine print typically states that you’re only covered if the damage to your roof is a result of a sudden accident or act of nature. Furthermore, insurance doesn’t cover issues born from overall wear and tear or a roof that has exceeded its intended life span. These problems are the homeowner’s responsibility and aren’t eligible for reimbursement.
Q: How does roof coverage work?
A: Your roof arguably receives the most direct exposure to intense weather and sunrays. Depending on where you live, it can be exposed to several elements, such as heavy snow, hail, and ice storms in northern climates. Tornados and cyclones are common storms in the midwest. Tropical climates often suffer from hurricane-force winds.
While these elements differ from one another, they can all wreak major havoc on your roof. When your roof becomes damaged or destroyed from these natural events or accidents, such as debris falling from an overhead explosion, your home usually qualifies for a total or partial replacement.
When these events occur, you’ll be required to meet your policy deductible, and then coverage can kick in. Some high-risk states impose rules and exceptions on some policies. For example, you may have a higher deductible for damage caused by a hurricane. Homeowners in those areas may even be required to purchase additional coverall or a separate weather-related policy.
How to Get Reimbursed by My Insurance
The moment your roof is damaged, reach out to your insurance company for an inspection. Before they get to your house, make sure you gather any pertinent documents, such as your insurance policy, inspection reports, and pictures of the damage, which will be useful in the claims process. An adjuster from your insurance company will come to your house to inspect your roof and give their assessment.
PRO TIP — Take photos of your undamaged roof now so that if your roof becomes damaged and you have to work with your insurance, you’ll have a “before” picture to show them.
Contact The Roof Doctor
If your roof has become damaged and your homeowner’s insurance will cover it, you can count on the roofing specialists at The Roof Doctor. When the insurance adjuster inspects your roof, we’ll be by your side to ensure they properly note all its damage to maximize your reimbursement.
Contact us today so that we can coordinate a roof inspection with your insurance company’s claims adjuster. We serve Salt Lake City, Tooele, Ogden, Layton, Brigham City, Bountiful, and everywhere in between!