Does building insurance pay for roof repairs?
Short answer. Building insurance, known as dwelling coverage or Coverage A on a US homeowners policy, pays for roof repairs when a covered event like wind, hail, fire or a falling tree causes sudden damage. It covers the whole roof system, not just the shingles, but it does not pay for wear, rot or poor maintenance. Your deductible comes off every repair claim.
What counts as the building
Dwelling coverage applies to the house structure and things permanently attached to it. On the roof that includes:
- Shingles or other roof covering, ridge cap and starter strip
- Underlayment and ice and water barrier
- Decking (plywood or OSB) and the framing below
- Flashing, drip edge, vents and pipe boots
- Gutters and downspouts attached to the house
A detached garage or shed roof falls under other structures coverage, which usually has its own, smaller limit.
What it pays for and what it does not
- Pays: hail fractures, wind blown or creased shingles, tree impact, fire, and interior damage that results from a covered opening in the roof.
- Does not pay: granule loss from age, rot from long term leaks, failed sealant, animal damage under many policies, and faulty installation. See wear and tear vs hail.
Renters and landlords
If you rent, the building belongs to the landlord and is insured on the landlord's policy; your renters policy covers your belongings. Landlords usually insure rentals on a dwelling fire policy rather than a homeowners form.
Making a repair claim
Photograph the damage, stop any leak, and compare the repair cost with your deductible before filing. If the leak reached the inside, include the interior damage in the same claim. See how to file.