Will homeowners insurance pay for roof replacement?
Short answer. It will if four things line up: a covered peril such as hail or wind caused the damage, the damage is bad enough that repair is not reasonable, you report it within the policy's time limits, and no endorsement or exclusion limits the roof. Replacement because of age or wear alone is not covered.
The four conditions
- A covered cause. Sudden physical damage from hail, wind, a fallen tree, fire or the weight of ice. Not age, and not installation defects.
- Enough damage. Spot damage gets a repair. Replacement comes with widespread damage, brittle shingles that cannot be repaired, or other reasons a repair would not restore the roof.
- Timely notice. Policies require prompt notice and set deadlines, and many limit how long after a storm a wind or hail claim can be made. See roof claim deadlines in Georgia.
- No limiting endorsement. An actual cash value roof endorsement or a payment schedule still pays, just less.
Questions to answer before filing
- Is there a storm date near your address with hail or high winds?
- Are neighbors getting roofs replaced?
- Are gutters, vents or the AC unit dented?
- What is your wind and hail deductible in dollars?
Common reasons replacement claims fail
- The adjuster calls the damage wear and tear or a manufacturing defect.
- Too few hail hits per slope to justify replacement.
- The claim is filed long after the storm, when the evidence is weathered.
- Earlier damage that was paid but never repaired.
If a decision goes against you, what to do when a roof claim is denied lays out the next steps, from reinspection to appraisal.