Should you use house insurance for a roof repair?
Short answer. Use your insurance for a roof repair only when a covered event caused the damage and the repair clearly costs more than your deductible. For small repairs below or near the deductible, paying directly usually makes more sense, since even a small claim can appear on your insurance history.
The decision is mostly arithmetic, with one twist: a small visible problem sometimes signals a much bigger hidden one.
Run the numbers
- Flat deductible: a $600 repair under a $1,000 deductible pays nothing.
- Percentage deductible: many Georgia policies carry a separate wind and hail deductible of 1 or 2 percent of dwelling coverage. On a $350,000 home that is $3,500 to $7,000, which puts most repairs entirely on you. See how percentage deductibles work.
- Claim history: claims, including some that pay nothing, can be recorded in industry claim databases that insurers check for years afterward. See whether a roof claim raises premiums.
When filing makes sense
- A tree or limb damaged decking or framing as well as shingles
- Interior water damage adds drywall, insulation, and paint to the bill
- An inspection finds storm damage across several slopes, not just the spot you noticed
When paying yourself makes sense
- A few shingles lost in an ordinary wind, with no other damage
- A cracked pipe boot or worn flashing, which are maintenance anyway
- Anything well below your deductible
Get the facts before you call
Calling the insurer just to ask a question can open a claim file. A roofer's inspection first tells you whether you are looking at a small repair or wider storm damage. For the order of calls, read whether to call your insurer or a roofer first.