Will homeowners insurance cover a hole in the roof?
Short answer. Yes, if something sudden and accidental made the hole, such as a falling tree or limb, large hail, wind-blown debris, a fire, or a vehicle or aircraft. A hole that rotted through over time, or damage from rodents like squirrels, insects or birds, is generally excluded, though some policies cover damage from larger animals like raccoons.
The first hour
- Stay off the roof, especially if a tree or limb is still on it or power lines are down.
- Photograph the hole from the ground, the attic and the room below, before anything is moved.
- Protect the inside: buckets, plastic over furniture, and turn off power to a wet ceiling fixture.
- Get the opening covered with a tarp or temporary patch. Keep the receipt.
- Report the claim and tell the insurer the roof is open.
Covered causes
- Falling trees, limbs and other objects.
- Windstorm and wind-blown debris.
- Large hail punching through skylights, vents or brittle shingles.
- Fire and lightning.
- Vehicles and aircraft.
Usually excluded
- Decking that rotted from a long-term leak.
- Squirrels and other rodents chewing through, birds, and insects.
- Damage from foot traffic or poor workmanship.
What the repair should include
A real hole is rarely just shingles. Expect replacement of the broken decking, inspection and repair of any cracked rafters or trusses, new underlayment, and shingles that match the rest of the slope as closely as possible. If the damaged area is large or the shingles cannot be matched, the claim may support replacing the whole slope.
The duty to mitigate
Your policy requires reasonable steps to prevent more damage. An insurer can refuse to pay for water damage that happened because the hole was left open after you knew about it, so cover it fast and document that you did.
More: emergency tarping and your duty to mitigate and interior water damage coverage.