How does homeowners insurance treat a cedar shake roof?
Short answer. Cedar shake roofs usually cost more to insure than asphalt shingles because wood burns, ages faster in humid climates, and costs more to replace. Some insurers will not write them, and others require fire retardant treatment, limit the roof to actual cash value, or apply higher deductibles. Fire treated shakes installed as a rated assembly help.
Why insurers price shakes higher
- Fire. Untreated wood shakes are combustible. Fire retardant treated shakes installed over the right underlayment can achieve a Class B or even Class A fire rating as an assembly.
- Moisture. Georgia humidity, shade and pine needles promote moss, rot and splitting, so shakes often age faster here than in dry climates.
- Replacement cost. Materials and specialized labor cost much more than asphalt, which raises the dwelling limit and the premium.
Hail and wind claims on shakes
Hail can split shakes, often along the grain, and wind can lift or break weathered pieces. Adjusters look for fresh splits with clean, unweathered wood inside and sharp edges, while old splits are gray and worn. Weathering and natural checking are excluded as wear, so photos taken soon after the storm matter. See wear and tear vs hail.
Matching and repairs
New shakes look different from weathered ones for years. Whether an insurer pays to replace more than the damaged area depends on the policy and its matching practice; see matching.
Questions for your agent
- Is the roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash value?
- Does the fire rating of my shakes change the premium?
- If I replaced the shakes with a Class A asphalt or metal roof, how would the premium change?