What does homeowners insurance include in a roof replacement?
Homeowners often picture a roof replacement as new shingles. An estimate built that way comes up short on install day, because a roof is a system of parts that manufacturers and building codes expect to be replaced together.
Line items a full replacement normally needs
- Removal and disposal of existing layers, with an added charge if there are two
- Synthetic or felt underlayment over the whole deck
- Ice and water barrier in valleys and other areas where code or the manufacturer calls for it
- Drip edge at eaves and rakes
- Starter strip along eaves and rakes
- Shingles with an appropriate waste factor
- Hip and ridge cap, and ridge vent or replacement roof vents
- Pipe boots, step flashing, and counter flashing where it cannot be reused
- Steep and high roof charges based on pitch and number of stories
- Decking replacement, added by supplement when bad sheets are found during tear off
Items that depend on your policy
Code upgrades are paid under ordinance or law coverage if you carry it. Overhead and profit is usually included when a general contractor coordinates multiple trades. Permit fees may also appear.
What you pay
Your deductible, any upgrades beyond like kind and quality, and any depreciation that is not recoverable under your policy. There is no separate roof insurance to buy; the roof is part of the house's dwelling coverage.
Compare the adjuster's estimate against this list line by line. Missing items are added through a documented supplement, and how to read an Xactimate estimate shows where each line appears.