Does home insurance cover roof storm damage?
Short answer. Yes, most of what a storm does to a roof is covered: wind, hail, lightning, falling trees and limbs, and the weight of ice or snow are standard covered perils. What storms bring that home insurance usually excludes is flooding and surface water, storm surge, mudflow, and damage to roofs that simply failed because they were already worn out.
Storm perils and what they do to roofs
- Wind: lifts, creases and tears shingles, peels ridge caps, and bends flashing and drip edge.
- Hail: bruises and fractures shingles, knocks off granules in round marks, dents vents and gutters, and cracks skylights.
- Lightning: can blow holes in decking, start attic fires, and damage chimneys.
- Falling trees and limbs: punctures, cracked rafters, crushed gutters.
- Weight of ice, snow or sleet: uncommon in most of Georgia, but ice storms in North Georgia can bring down limbs and stress roofs.
Storm results that are usually excluded
- Flood: rising water and storm surge need a separate flood policy.
- Earth movement: mudslides and soil collapse.
- Rain through an intact roof: water blown through vents or under old flashing with no storm opening is commonly denied.
- Pre-existing problems a storm merely revealed.
Deductibles may differ by storm type
Wind and hail often have their own deductible, frequently a percentage of the dwelling limit. Coastal policies may add a named storm deductible. Lightning and fire typically fall under the regular all other perils deductible.
After any storm
- Check from the ground and the attic, not the roof.
- Photograph damage and debris.
- Cover openings to stop leaks.
- Get an inspection and report covered damage promptly.
More: wind damage claims, hail size and roof damage and the after-storm checklist.