How can I get roofing insurance for my house?
When people search for roof insurance, they usually want one of four kinds of protection, and each comes from a different place.
Storm damage: your homeowners policy
Hail, wind, falling trees, and fire damage to the roof are covered under the dwelling portion of your homeowners policy. You cannot buy this for the roof alone, but you can improve how it works:
- Replacement cost settlement for the roof rather than actual cash value or a payment schedule. See ACV versus RCV.
- A deductible you can afford. Check whether wind and hail carry a separate percentage deductible. See percentage deductibles.
- Ordinance or law coverage, which pays for code required upgrades during a rebuild. See code upgrades coverage.
Product defects: the manufacturer's warranty
Shingles that fail early from a manufacturing defect are a warranty matter, not an insurance claim. Coverage length and proration vary by product and by whether a certified installer registered an enhanced warranty.
Installation errors: the workmanship warranty
Leaks from poor flashing, nailing, or ventilation are covered, if at all, by the roofer's own written workmanship warranty. Its length and the company's staying power matter as much as the paper.
Small repairs and leaks: home warranty plans
Some home warranty contracts sell roof leak add-ons, typically with low caps and many exclusions. Read them closely before counting on them.
Robust Roofing explains how these layers of protection fit together on its warranty page.