Roof Repair: Factors Affecting Insurance Coverage

3/24/2022 (Permalink)

Insurance Coverage For Roof Repairs: What Factors Affect It

When many homeowners think about storm coverage, they usually think about flood protection. Your home in Dana Point, CA, can just as easily suffer wind damage, though. Flying items can break windows and cause holes in your roof. There are several factors that affect whether your homeowner’s insurance covers damage to your roof and, if so, how much it covers.

Prevention Measures

Most insurance companies want to make sure the damage listed on your claim was indeed caused by wind and not the neglect of routine maintenance. There are several steps you can take to increase the likelihood that the damage will be covered:

• Quarterly professional inspection
• Impact-resistant shingles
• Regular maintenance and repair
• Proper landscaping to minimize debris during a storm

Being able to show that you have taken the appropriate precautions to minimize roof damage in the event of a storm improves your chances of being covered by your policy.

Documentation

One of the first calls you will make after wind damage occurs is to your insurance company. An adjuster will come assess the damage detailed in your claim. You probably want storm mitigation experts to start repairs before the adjuster arrives, however, to prevent further issues. It’s important to take pictures or videos of the original damage and to list all the repairs that need to be done. Document everything you list in your claim.

Value of Roof

As parts of your home age, they depreciate in value. If your roof is more than ten years old, the insurance company may not foot the entire bill, especially if you need total roof replacement. You may get partial coverage for its current value. Even if the roof is newer, the insurance company may not pay the full cost of repairs or replacement if it was significantly worn before the most current damage happened.

The best way to know how much of the wind damage repairs your insurance company will cover is to ask. Your agent can detail the factors involved in making decisions about claims.