What does a homeowners insurance roof claim cover?
Storms rarely damage only the shingles. A complete claim captures everything the same event damaged, under the right part of the policy.
The roof system (dwelling coverage)
- Shingles, starter, and hip and ridge cap
- Underlayment and ice and water barrier
- Drip edge, step flashing, and chimney or wall flashing
- Roof vents, ridge vent, pipe boots, and exhaust caps
- Skylights, if cracked or damaged
- Damaged decking found during tear off
The rest of the exterior (dwelling coverage)
- Gutters, downspouts, and gutter guards
- Window screens, window wraps, and siding
- Fascia and soffit
- Air conditioning condenser fins dented by hail
Other structures and contents
Detached garages, sheds, and fences fall under other structures coverage with their own limit. Belongings damaged by water coming through the roof fall under personal property coverage. If the house becomes unlivable, additional living expense coverage may pay for a place to stay.
Interior and code items
Ceilings, insulation, paint, and flooring damaged by a storm related leak are part of the claim. Items the building code requires during replacement are paid under ordinance or law coverage if you have it.
The deductible generally applies once to the whole storm loss, not item by item, so listing everything does not cost you more. Make sure each item appears on the adjuster's estimate; how to read an Xactimate roof estimate shows where to look. Robust Roofing's guide to what else hail damages has a fuller exterior checklist.