What is a roof certificate for insurance?
Short answer. A roof certificate, sometimes called a roof certification, is a written statement from a roofer or inspector describing the roof's material, age, condition, and estimated remaining life, usually with photos. Insurers and buyers' lenders sometimes ask for one when a roof is older or its condition is unknown.
What a roof certificate usually includes
- Property address and inspection date
- Roof covering type and number of layers
- Approximate installation year and how it was determined
- Condition notes: missing or damaged shingles, flashing, pipe boots, soft spots, and signs of leaks
- Estimated remaining useful life, often stated as a range of years
- Photos of each slope and any defects
- The inspector's name, company, and signature
When you might need one
- Applying for a new policy on an older home
- Responding to an insurer's roof inspection letter
- Selling a home, when the buyer's insurer or lender wants to know the roof's age
- After repairs, to show a flagged problem was fixed
What it is and is not
A roof certificate is an opinion on condition at a point in time. It is not a warranty unless it explicitly says so, and it does not bind the insurer, which still makes its own underwriting decision. Some insurers have their own form and accept only that version, so ask before scheduling.
Who issues them
Roofing contractors and some home inspectors provide them. Choose someone who will actually go on the roof or use close range drone photos rather than glancing from the ground. If the inspection finds problems, you can repair them and request an updated certificate. For how insurers weigh age and condition, see roof age and insurance and wear versus storm damage.