What insurance covers roof replacement?
Short answer. The dwelling coverage in your homeowners policy, usually called Coverage A, is what pays for a roof replacement, and only when a covered peril like hail or wind caused the damage. Manufacturer warranties cover defective shingles, a contractor's workmanship warranty covers installation errors, and home warranty plans rarely cover roof replacement at all.
Who pays for what
- Homeowners policy, dwelling coverage: storm, fire, falling object and other covered damage to the house, including the roof.
- Condo owners: the association's master policy usually covers the roof. Your own condo policy may cover your share of a master policy deductible if you added loss assessment coverage.
- Rental homes: a landlord or dwelling fire policy covers the roof, not the tenant's renters policy.
- Manufacturer warranty: covers material defects, often prorated after an initial period. It does not cover storms.
- Workmanship warranty: the installer's promise to fix leaks and failures caused by installation errors. Terms vary from one year to decades.
- The contractor's liability insurance: pays if a roofer damages your home during work.
- Home warranty plans: service contracts that commonly exclude roofs or cap leak repairs at a small amount.
What the homeowners policy pays
Even with approved replacement, how much you receive depends on your loss settlement terms. Replacement cost policies pay the actual cash value first and the held back depreciation after the work is done. Actual cash value policies keep the depreciation. Some policies pay the roof on a schedule based on age. See when homeowners insurance covers roof replacement and roof payment schedules.
After the new roof is on
Register the manufacturer warranty, keep the contract, invoice and photos, and send proof of completion to your insurer. A documented new roof can lower premiums and make the next claim smoother.