Will insurance pay for wind damage to your home?
Short answer. Yes, when wind caused sudden physical damage and the cost exceeds your deductible. Wind claims most often come back low or denied because the damage is under a percentage deductible, the adjuster approves only a spot repair, or the insurer attributes missing shingles to age or poor installation rather than the storm.
Five common reasons wind claims fall short
- Under the deductible. A few missing shingles cost less than a 1 or 2 percent wind and hail deductible. Check before filing; see percentage deductibles.
- Spot repair only. The adjuster prices replacing just the missing shingles. Answer with evidence of creased tabs and broken seals elsewhere on the slope, brittleness, or a discontinued product that makes a repair impractical.
- Installation blamed. If shingles were nailed high or with too few nails, the adjuster may call it workmanship. Photograph nail placement on the blown-off shingles and in intact areas.
- Age blamed. Brittle, unsealed shingles on an old roof look like wear. A storm date with documented gusts and fresh tears helps.
- Wrong date or late report. If the damage cannot be tied to a specific wind event, the claim stalls. See date of loss.
What a full wind payment looks like
Repair or replacement of the roof covering and accessories, siding, gutters, fences and trees on structures, plus interior water damage through the wind-created opening, minus the deductible. On replacement cost coverage, depreciation comes after the work is done.
Responding to a low offer
Request the estimate and photos, compare them with your roofer's documentation, and ask for a reinspection with the specific items listed. If the disagreement is only about dollars, appraisal may apply. See wind damage roof claims.