Is roof damage caused by wind covered by insurance?
Short answer. Yes. Wind damage to the roof covering, ridge and hip caps, flashing, vents, drip edge and even the decking is covered under the dwelling part of a homeowners policy, minus your deductible. What is not covered is damage that comes from age, poor installation such as high or too few nails, or a roof that was already failing before the wind.
Wind damage beyond missing shingles
- Ridge and hip caps lifted or torn off; they take the strongest uplift.
- Edges and rakes peeled back where wind gets under the first course.
- Flashing bent away from walls and chimneys.
- Vents and caps blown off or loosened, leaving open holes.
- Drip edge and gutter apron bent or pulled away.
- Decking exposed or, in severe wind, sheathing torn loose.
What adjusters rule out
- Installation problems: shingles nailed above the nailing strip or with too few nails tend to blow off in ordinary wind. An adjuster who lifts a tab and finds high nails may call it workmanship.
- Age: brittle shingles that crack when bent and lost their seal over years.
- Prior repairs: mismatched patches from earlier damage.
How to strengthen the claim
Photograph damage soon after the storm, save blown-off shingles, note the date and the strongest gusts reported nearby, and show where the damage sits relative to the wind direction. Fresh tears and freshly broken sealant strips are the strongest proof. On an older roof, a roof payment schedule may reduce the payout even when the damage is covered.
When the wind damage is spread out
A few blown shingles is a repair. Creases and broken seals across slopes, or shingles that crack when lifted, can support replacement. See wind damage roof claims and matching.