What should you know about house insurance in Georgia when it comes to your roof?
Short answer. In Georgia, the roof is where house insurance gets tested most, because hail, severe thunderstorm winds, tornadoes and falling trees are the storms Georgia homes see most often. Look at how your policy settles roof losses, what your wind and hail deductible is, and whether your roof's age has triggered limits. Those three things decide what you are actually paid after a storm.
The Georgia risks behind your premium
- Hail. North Georgia sees hail most often in spring, with summer storms adding more. Hail bruises shingles and dents soft metals, and it is the most common reason for a full roof claim. Free hail history by zip code is at northgeorgiahailmap.com.
- Thunderstorm wind and tornadoes. Straight line gusts lift shingle tabs and break the seal strips; tornado paths can strip decking.
- Trees. Tall pines and hardwoods fall on roofs in storms and in saturated soil. Damage to the house from a falling tree is generally covered, while coverage to haul the tree away is usually capped.
- Heat and humidity. They age shingles faster, which matters when an insurer applies depreciation or decides a roof is too old.
Three lines to check on your policy
- Roof loss settlement. Replacement cost, actual cash value, or a roof payment schedule. See ACV vs RCV.
- Wind and hail deductible. A flat dollar amount or a percentage of the dwelling limit. On a $400,000 dwelling limit, 1 percent is $4,000 and 2 percent is $8,000. See percentage deductibles.
- Roof age and condition endorsements. Endorsements added at renewal can quietly change the first two.
When you replace the roof
Send the insurer the invoice and the installation year. A newer roof can restore replacement cost terms, and some carriers give a credit for impact rated shingles. Keep the paperwork with your policy so it is ready if you switch carriers.