What does homeowners insurance protect your roof against?
Short answer. A standard homeowners policy protects the roof against sudden, accidental physical damage, most commonly from hail, windstorms, falling trees and limbs, fire and lightning, and the weight of ice or snow. It does not protect against wear and tear, poor maintenance, faulty installation or damage that develops slowly over time.
Usually covered
- Hail: fractured or bruised shingles, punctured vents, dented metal.
- Wind: missing, creased or lifted shingles and blown-off ridge cap. See wind damage roof claims.
- Falling objects: trees and limbs, including ones from a neighbor's yard.
- Fire and lightning.
- Weight of ice, snow or sleet.
- Vehicles or aircraft striking the house.
Usually excluded
- Age, wear and deterioration, including granule loss and curling.
- Poor workmanship, faulty materials or bad design.
- Rot, mold and insect damage from long-term leaks.
- Flood and surface water, which need separate flood insurance.
- Earth movement.
- Damage from birds, rodents or insects, in many policies.
How endorsements narrow the protection
A separate wind and hail deductible, an actual cash value roof settlement, a roof payment schedule or a cosmetic damage exclusion can all change how much you are paid without changing whether hail or wind is covered. These live in the endorsements listed on your declarations page. See does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement.
Water that gets inside
Rain that enters through an opening created by wind or hail is generally covered along with the roof. Water from a slow leak through worn flashing usually is not, which is why the cause matters more than the stain.