Roof Claim Answers

Does insurance cover shingles that blew off?

Short answer. Yes, shingles torn off by wind are a classic covered loss under most homeowners policies, subject to your deductible. The catch is that a few missing shingles often cost less to repair than the deductible, and insurers may argue the shingles let go because the sealant had aged out rather than because the wind was strong.

Look beyond the missing pieces

Shingles that blow off are only the obvious damage. Wind also lifts shingles that stay on the roof, folding them back and leaving a horizontal crease across the shingle. A creased shingle has broken its seal and its mat, will not reseal properly, and is likely to blow off in the next storm. Adjusters count creased, torn and missing shingles on each slope, so make sure those are documented too.

Why the insurer may push back

Most modern architectural shingles carry wind ratings well above typical thunderstorm gusts when nailed to the manufacturer's pattern. If weather records show modest wind on your date of loss, an adjuster may blame high nailing, failed sealant from age, or installation errors. Photos of the storm, nearby downed limbs and neighbors' damage help show the wind was real.

Repair versus slope replacement

Replacing a few shingles sounds simple, but replacement shingles rarely match a faded roof, and older shingles can crack when lifted. When matching or brittleness is a problem, the reasonable repair may be the whole slope or more, depending on your policy. See wind damage roof claims and partial replacement and matching.

Protect the roof now

Exposed underlayment can leak in the next rain. Get the area covered quickly and keep the receipt, since reasonable emergency repairs are normally part of the claim.

In depth

How does a percentage wind and hail deductible work, and how do I calculate mine?Percentage vs flat deductibles: how a wind and hail deductible is computed from Coverage A, where it sits on yDoes homeowners insurance cover a roof replacement?When a homeowners policy pays for a new roof, when it pays only for repairs, and why an old, worn roof never qDoes homeowners insurance cover interior water damage from a roof leak?When interior damage from a roof leak is covered: storm openings, gradual leak exclusions, mold limits, and wh

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