Insurance May Pay for a New Roof
A standard homeowners insurance policy that covers all-perils, will include the replacement of a roof. It should only matter that its damage was caused by an act of nature. A roof beyond its intended lifespan when damaged may not be eligible for replacement. This is because general maintenance is the responsibility of the homeowner.
Acts of Nature
The roof on a person’s home gets direct exposure to the elements. With northern climates, there is the weight of ice storms and heavy snow. In a more tropical climate, a roof might have to deal with hurricane-force winds when a roof is damaged by an act of nature, it will qualify for a total or partial replacement. This will be determined by the insurance company.
Prevention
There are things that can be done as a homeowner to protect your roof. Some home insurance companies recommend regular inspections by a licensed professional. There are roofing companies that will provide a free home inspection . Their goal is to earn a homeowner’s trust for future business.
Roof Inspection
The most effective way a homeowner can make certain their insurance company will pay for roof repairs is to contact them and ask for an inspection. The insurance company will send out one of their adjusters. They will inspect the damage and provide their own roof assessment. Prior to this happening, a homeowner should gather up documents including their current home insurance policy. Having copies of any home inspection reports as well as receipts for repair work done is important. Having pictures of the roof before the damage has occurred could also be helpful.
Insurance Policy
It is important a homeowner carefully read their insurance policy. In most places, there are two different types of coverage for a roof. They are replacement coverage and repair coverage.
Repair
This type of coverage makes the depreciation of the roof a major consideration. In this case, a homeowner will be eligible to receive a percentage of the replacement cost. This amount will be determined by the roof’s age and materials. If a roof is near the end of its service life, a homeowner could get as little as 15 percent for repairing their roof.
Replacement
Homeowner’s policies can cover the total replacement of a roof. These policies are more common, but they are more expensive. This type of coverage will make it possible to return the roof to a brand-new condition. Damage must have been caused by an event covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy.
Once a brutal storm has hit an area, a homeowner may believe they need a roof replacement. They should assess the damage. A homeowner needs to look for missing granules in the gutters, missing shingles and more. It’s important to take pictures and document the damage before contacting the insurance company. Visit our Frisco roofing page for more information.
