Does homeowners insurance cover shingles blown off the roof?
Short answer. Yes. Wind is a covered cause on standard homeowners policies, so shingles torn off by a storm are covered. Whether a check follows depends on the size of the damage compared with your deductible, which in Georgia is often a separate wind and hail deductible, and on finding the creased and unsealed shingles around the missing ones.
The damage you see is not all the damage
For every shingle that blows off, others usually lifted and fell back into place. An inspection should look for:
- Creases: a horizontal fold line across a tab where wind bent it upward
- Broken seal strips: tabs that lift freely by hand because the adhesive bond tore
- Exposed or backed-out nails under lifted courses
- Torn ridge and hip caps, which take the strongest wind
Creased and unsealed shingles are functional damage even if they lie flat, and they often turn a three-shingle repair into a slope or full replacement.
Wind ratings and old roofs
Shingles are tested to wind standards such as ASTM D3161 and ASTM D7158, and common architectural shingles carry ratings around 110 to 130 mph when installed correctly. Insurers sometimes argue that an older roof lost its seal from age rather than wind. Photos showing fresh creases, clean tears and shingles on the ground right after a dated storm answer that argument.
What to do right away
- Photograph shingles in the yard and the bare spots on the roof from the ground.
- Cover exposed decking with a tarp to prevent water damage.
- Note the storm date and check local wind reports.
- Get an inspection before filing so you know whether the damage beats your deductible.
See wind damage roof claims, percentage wind and hail deductibles and date of loss.