What is tarp insurance, and does homeowners insurance pay for an emergency roof tarp?
Short answer. There is no separate tarp insurance for homeowners. Most homeowners policies reimburse reasonable emergency repairs, including a roof tarp, when the underlying damage is covered, and they expect you to take those steps to prevent further damage.
Where tarp coverage comes from
Standard homeowners policies include a provision for reasonable repairs made to protect the property after a covered loss. Policies also list a duty to protect the property from further damage. Put together, if hail or wind opens your roof, the insurer generally expects you to cover it and generally reimburses the cost as part of the claim.
When a tarp is not reimbursed
- The underlying damage is not covered, such as a leak from worn out shingles or a failed pipe boot from age.
- The cost is far beyond what is reasonable for the size of the opening.
- There are no receipts or photos showing what was done.
Doing it right for the claim
- Photograph the damage before the tarp goes on. Once covered, the adjuster may not see it the same way.
- Use a tarp large enough to run over the ridge, secured with wood battens rather than nails through the field of the shingles.
- Keep the invoice, photos of the installed tarp, and receipts for buckets, fans or anything else used to limit damage.
- Tell the adjuster a tarp is in place so it can be pulled back for inspection.
Waiting can cost you. Interior damage that grows because the roof was left open may be argued as a failure to mitigate. Read your duty to mitigate and interior water damage coverage. Robust Roofing's guide on emergency tarping costs covers pricing and who pays.