Does homeowners insurance cover a hole in the roof?
Short answer. Usually yes, if the hole was caused suddenly by something like a falling tree or limb, wind-driven debris, lightning, or a vehicle; the roof repair and the resulting interior water damage are typically covered. Holes caused by rot, animals, or a slow leak that went untreated are usually excluded.
With a hole in the roof, coverage almost always comes down to one question: what made it?
Causes that are typically covered
- A tree or large limb falling on the house, whether the tree was yours or a neighbor's. Your own policy covers your house either way.
- Wind tearing off shingles and decking, or driving debris through the roof
- Lightning and fire
- Weight of ice or snow, rare in most of Georgia but not unheard of in the mountains
- Falling objects and, occasionally, vehicles
Causes that are typically excluded
- Rotted decking from a long-term leak, poor ventilation, or failed flashing
- Squirrels, raccoons, and other animals chewing an entry; many policies exclude damage from rodents and vermin
- Deterioration and wear, including spots where shingles simply wore through
- Damage that grew because a known problem was not fixed
Gray areas
Sometimes a storm finishes off decking that was already soft. Expect the adjuster to study the edges of the opening: clean breaks and splintered wood point to sudden force, while dark, crumbling wood points to long-term moisture. Good photos of the opening, the debris, and the attic side help settle that question.
When the cause is covered, the interior damage that follows is usually covered too, including ceilings, insulation, and flooring. See interior water damage coverage and how adjusters separate sudden damage from wear. Many policies also include a limited amount for removing a tree that hit the house.