Does home insurance pay for roof damage?
Short answer. Yes, when the damage is sudden and accidental, such as hail, wind, a falling tree, fire or the weight of ice, home insurance pays to repair or replace the damaged roof minus your deductible. It does not pay for damage from age, wear, neglect or poor installation.
What a covered roof claim can pay for
- The roof repair or replacement itself, line by line.
- Emergency protection, such as a tarp after a limb punctures the roof.
- Interior damage from water that came through the storm opening.
- Tree and debris removal when a tree damages the house, usually subject to a modest limit.
- Additional living expenses if the home cannot be lived in during repairs.
- Other storm-damaged items such as gutters, vents, skylights, siding and screens, usually on the same claim.
Is it worth claiming?
Compare the repair cost with your deductible. A few missing shingles may cost less than a $1,000 deductible or a percentage wind and hail deductible. Widespread hail damage usually does not, and an inspection before filing tells you which side of that line you are on.
Getting it paid
- Note the date of the storm or event. See date of loss.
- Photograph the damage from the ground, and have a roofer document the roof.
- Protect the home from further damage.
- File promptly and be there for the adjuster's inspection.
- Review the estimate and supplement anything missing.
If the payment seems low, roof supplements explains how missing items get added.