Do insurance companies pay for roof repairs?
Short answer. Yes, when a covered event such as wind, hail, or a falling limb damaged the roof, insurers pay for the repair minus your deductible. They do not pay for repairs caused by age, wear, poor installation, or lack of maintenance, and many small repairs cost less than the deductible, so no check is issued.
The deductible math
Say wind tore off 15 shingles and the repair costs $650. With a $1,000 deductible, the insurer owes nothing, and the claim may still appear in your history. With a 1 percent wind and hail deductible on a $350,000 dwelling limit, the deductible is $3,500. That is why getting an inspection and a repair price before you file matters.
Repairs insurers usually pay
- Shingles torn off or creased in a storm on a specific date.
- Punctures and broken decking from a fallen limb, plus interior damage from water that came through the opening.
- Hail damage limited to one or two slopes, when the rest of the roof is unharmed and the shingles can be matched.
Repairs insurers usually do not pay
- A cracked pipe boot or failed sealant that leaked slowly.
- Flashing that was installed wrong.
- Granule loss, curling, and blistering from age and Georgia heat. See wear and tear vs hail damage.
When a repair becomes a replacement
If the shingles are too brittle to lift without cracking, the product is discontinued, or damage covers most slopes, a repair estimate may understate the loss. Ask for a reinspection with your roofer present. See partial roof replacement and matching and, if water got inside, interior water damage coverage.