Are roof shingles covered by home insurance?
Short answer. Yes, roof shingles are covered by homeowners insurance as part of the dwelling when a sudden event like hail, wind or a falling limb damages or removes them. Missing or damaged shingles from age, poor installation or neglect are not covered, and if you meant the shingles vaccine, that is a health insurance question rather than a homeowners one.
Shingle damage that is usually covered
- Hail: bruises that feel soft when pressed, fractured mats, and round spots where granules were knocked away.
- Wind: missing tabs, torn shingles, and creased shingles that were lifted and folded back.
- Impact: limbs and debris that crack or puncture shingles.
- Fire and lightning.
Shingle problems that are not covered
- Even granule loss, curling, clawing and cracking from sun and age.
- Blistering, often a ventilation or manufacturing issue. A defect may fall under the manufacturer's warranty instead.
- Black algae streaks and moss.
- Shingles sliding or blowing off because they were nailed too high.
Missing shingles: claim or repair?
A few missing shingles after a windstorm are covered, but the repair often costs less than the deductible. A full inspection sometimes finds more creased or hail damaged shingles than you can see from the ground, which changes the math.
The matching problem
Many shingle lines have been discontinued over the years, especially older three-tab styles. If replacements cannot match, the reasonable repair may extend beyond the damaged spots, depending on your policy. See partial replacement and matching and wear and tear versus hail damage, or browse Robust Roofing's overview of roofing shingles.