What do you pay out of pocket for a roof replacement under insurance?
The deductible
Every claim has one, either a flat amount or a percentage of your dwelling limit. It is subtracted from what the insurer pays, and you pay it to the contractor as part of the contract price. No Georgia roofer may legally waive, absorb or rebate it.
Depreciation you will not get back
On a replacement cost policy, the depreciation withheld from the first check is released after the work is done. On an actual cash value roof or a roof payment schedule, the reduction is permanent, and that gap is yours.
Code items
When the old roof did not meet current code, for example missing drip edge or required ice barrier, the cost to bring it up to code is paid under ordinance or law coverage if your policy has it, often as a percentage of the dwelling limit. Without it, those items can fall to you. See code upgrades and ordinance or law coverage.
Your own choices
- A higher shingle line or impact rating beyond like kind and quality.
- Replacing undamaged gutters, adding guards, skylights or extra vents.
- Rotted decking caused by long-term leaks, which insurers usually treat as wear.
Items that should not cost you
Missed line items such as starter strip, ridge cap, step flashing and pipe boots are usually recoverable through a supplement when they are documented. You should not pay for estimating gaps. Ask for a contract that states the price equals the approved insurance scope plus any upgrades you sign for.