Does a new roof affect insurance?
Short answer. Yes, usually in your favor. A new roof can lower your premium, improve your eligibility with insurers that restrict older roofs, and move your roof back to full replacement cost settlement if your policy pays older roofs on a depreciated schedule. Tell your insurer after the work is done and send proof, because the change is rarely applied automatically.
Ways a new roof changes your policy
- Premium. Many insurers rate by roof age, so a new roof can mean a lower rate at the next renewal, or sooner if you call.
- Roof settlement terms. Some policies pay roofs past a certain age on an actual cash value schedule. A new roof can return you to replacement cost. See roof payment schedule endorsements.
- Eligibility. Homes with older roofs may be limited in which insurers will write them; a new roof widens your options when you shop.
- Impact rating. Class 4 shingles can earn an additional credit where offered.
What to send your insurer or agent
- The final invoice with the completion date and roof type.
- The shingle product name and, for an impact credit, proof of the Class 4 rating.
- The permit, if your city or county required one.
- Photos of the finished roof.
If the new roof came from a claim
Sending the final invoice to the claim department also releases any recoverable depreciation still owed, which is a separate step from updating your policy with your agent. Whether the claim itself affects your rate is a different question; see does a roof claim raise premiums in Georgia.