How much does roof insurance coverage cost?
Short answer. For most homes there is no separate roof insurance; the roof is covered under the dwelling part of your homeowners policy, so its cost is built into your premium. What moves the price is the roof's age, material and shape, your wind and hail deductible, and whether the roof is insured at replacement cost or actual cash value.
What raises or lowers the roof's share of your premium
- Age. Older roofs cost more to insure, and past a certain age some carriers switch to actual cash value or a payment schedule. See roof age and insurance.
- Material. Impact resistant shingles rated Class 4 under UL 2218 qualify for discounts with many carriers. Ask your agent what documentation they require.
- Shape. Hip roofs generally hold up better in wind than gables, and some rating plans reflect that.
- Deductible. A higher or percentage wind and hail deductible lowers the premium but raises what you pay after a storm.
- Settlement type. Accepting actual cash value or a roof payment schedule lowers the premium and can cut a claim check sharply.
- Location. North Georgia sees hail most springs, and storm history in your area is part of how rates are set.
The real cost is at claim time
Saving a modest amount each year by moving the roof to actual cash value can leave you thousands short after a hailstorm, because depreciation on a 12 year old roof is large and is never paid back under that option. Before you trade coverage for premium, ask your agent to price out a full roof loss under each option.
If you are replacing the roof anyway, ask whether an impact resistant shingle would earn a discount. Robust Roofing installs Class 4 systems and can give you the product documentation insurers ask for; its guide to the impact resistant shingle discount covers the details.