How do you compare roof insurance coverage between policies?
Short answer. Compare how each policy settles a roof claim (replacement cost, actual cash value or a payment schedule), what deductible applies to wind and hail, and whether there is a cosmetic damage exclusion or roof age limit. Then check ordinance or law coverage and the water and mold limits. Two policies with the same premium can pay very different amounts for the same storm.
The seven lines that matter for a roof
- Roof settlement method. Replacement cost pays to replace the roof, often in two checks. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation for good. A payment schedule pays a percentage based on roof age. See ACV vs RCV.
- Wind and hail deductible. Flat dollar or a percentage of the dwelling limit. Two percent on a $400,000 home is $8,000.
- Roof deductible endorsements. Some policies add a separate deductible just for the roof.
- Cosmetic damage exclusion. Common on metal roofs, sometimes on shingles. It excludes dents that do not let water in. See cosmetic damage exclusions.
- Ordinance or law coverage. Pays for code required items such as drip edge or new decking requirements. Check the percentage. See code upgrade coverage.
- Water and mold limits. A roof leak claim often includes interior repairs; look for sublimits on mold or fungi.
- Roof age rules. Some carriers restrict coverage or require inspections as roofs age.
How to get straight answers
Ask each agent for the actual endorsement forms, not a summary, and ask one plain question: if hail destroys my roof next month, what would the policy pay, and what would I pay? Have them walk through the numbers with your dwelling limit. A cheaper premium that comes from switching the roof to actual cash value can cost you thousands at claim time.
Write down the answers and keep the forms. If you ever have a claim, those documents decide the outcome, not the sales conversation.