How do I know if my roof is covered by insurance?
Short answer. Get your complete policy, not just the declarations page, and check four things: that the dwelling is covered for wind and hail, how the roof is valued, which deductibles apply, and whether any endorsement limits roof coverage. Then ask your agent to confirm in writing. Whether a particular roof problem is covered also depends on the cause, which an inspection can establish.
Step 1: Get the right documents
The declarations page summarizes limits and deductibles but not the rules. Ask your agent or the insurer's website for the full policy form and every endorsement listed on the declarations page.
Step 2: Check the basics
- Dwelling coverage: the limit should be close to the cost to rebuild the house.
- Wind and hail: confirm they are not excluded. If they are, you need a separate wind policy.
- Deductibles: note the all other perils amount and any wind and hail percentage.
Step 3: Find roof-specific endorsements
Search the endorsements for words like roof surfacing, payment schedule, actual cash value, cosmetic, or roof exclusion. Any of these changes what a roof claim pays.
Step 4: Ask your agent these questions
- Is my roof paid at replacement cost or actual cash value?
- Does a roof payment schedule apply, and what percentage would it pay at my roof's age?
- What is my wind and hail deductible in dollars?
- Do I have ordinance or law coverage, and how much?
- Is cosmetic damage excluded?
Ask for the answers by email so you have them in writing.
Step 5: Know whether you have covered damage
Even a good policy only pays for covered causes. A roof inspection after a storm tells you whether there is hail or wind damage, or only age. See what adjusters look for, ACV vs RCV and payment schedules.