Does insurance cover roof damage from ice?

North Georgia's real ice risk is freezing rain

Heavy snow is uncommon in most of Georgia, but freezing rain events hit North Georgia every few winters. A coating of ice on pines and hardwoods adds enormous weight to every limb, and the damage comes when branches or whole trees snap onto roofs, gutters and power lines. That kind of falling object damage is a standard covered loss.

Typical outcomes by type of ice damage

• Limb or tree through the roof: covered for the roof, decking, framing and interior, plus reasonable tree removal from the house, subject to policy limits.
• Gutters torn down by ice weight: often covered, depending on the policy.
• Ice dam leaks: interior damage is often covered; removing the dam and correcting the cause usually are not.
• Hail: technically ice, and its own covered peril. See hail size and roof damage.

Document before cleanup

Photograph limbs where they landed before anyone cuts them, and get photos of the impact points on the roof. Note the date of the storm, because winter events often stretch over two or three days and your claim needs one date of loss. Cover openings as soon as it is safe and keep the receipts.

Do not chip ice off the roof

Chipping or prying ice breaks shingles, and that damage is on you. Let it melt, or use a roof rake from the ground for snow.