Does home owner insurance cover the roof?
Short answer. Yes, the roof is part of your house, so it falls under the dwelling coverage of a homeowners policy. That coverage applies to sudden damage from covered causes such as hail, wind and falling trees, and how much you are paid depends on your deductible and on whether the roof is settled at replacement cost or actual cash value.
Three questions decide every roof claim
- What caused it? Covered: storms, fire, falling objects and the weight of ice. Not covered: age, wear, neglect and poor workmanship.
- How is it valued? Replacement cost pays to replace with new, actual cash value subtracts depreciation, and a payment schedule pays a percentage by age. See ACV vs RCV.
- What is the deductible? A separate wind and hail deductible often applies to roofs.
Where the roof shows up in your policy
- Declarations page: the Coverage A limit, deductibles and listed endorsements.
- Perils insured against: what causes are covered.
- Exclusions: wear and tear, deterioration, mold and flood.
- Endorsements: roof-specific changes like actual cash value roof settlement, payment schedules or cosmetic damage exclusions.
- Conditions: your duties after a loss and the claim deadlines.
Roofs on other buildings
A detached garage or shed roof falls under other structures coverage, Coverage B, with its own limit.
Check before you need it
Read your latest renewal, not the original policy, because roof endorsements are often added as the roof ages. If one is unclear, ask your agent to explain it in writing. See roof age and insurance.