Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Damage?

Does insurance cover roof leaks? In short – YES! 

Saving money on homeowners insurance today may cost you more if you need to replace your entire roof due to storm or fire damage in the future. This guide reviews how insurance works and why limited coverage may not be the best strategy for insuring your home. 

What Is Homeowners Insurance? 

Homeowners insurance provides financial protection in the event of an emergency or accident that causes damage to your property or belongings. It’s required under most mortgage agreements to protect your home’s value against natural disasters and to ensure you’re able to cover any liability for accidents that occur on your property. Most homeowners insurance policies cover you in the event of natural disasters, theft and fire. 

There are some exclusions you should consider. For example, flood insurance may cost you more and be excluded from your policy unless you add it on as a rider. If you live in an area where earthquakes are common, you should check to see if you need to add earthquake coverage to be fully insured.  

How Do I Find Homeowners Insurance? 

Insurance companies offer policies online, but it’s important to read the fine print when you’re shopping for a policy. For this reason, some people turn to independent insurance agents to help them shop for a policy that meets their needs. If you begin by looking online for a few companies that offer policies you’re interested in, the insurance agent can make sure you’re getting the actual coverage you need and let you know which policy offers the best benefits at the lowest cost.  

A common mistake many people make is to purchase the cheapest policy they can find. Your coverage limits, deductible and insurance coverage are all things you should consider before you begin shopping for a policy. Think about what might happen in a worst-case scenario and how much it would cost to rebuild your home if it were destroyed in a disaster. Having extra protection for such an outcome is worth paying a little more for your insurance each month.  

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cost? 

Many things can influence the cost of homeowners insurance, including where you live, how frequently your area experiences weather events, the value of your property and the level of coverage you seek. Whether you have actual cash value coverage vs. replacement cost value coverage is also important. For example, both types of insurance cover roof replacement, but how much you’d pay depends on your coverage type. 

If your roof depreciated since you took out your policy, an actual cash value policy would only pay you what it’s worth at the time of the disaster. Replacement value coverage would pay for the entire cost of your roof replacement minus your deductible. While this type of coverage may cost you a little more, it’s worth it when you need to file a claim.  

Many insurance companies raise their rates over time, so you could find your homeowners insurance policy is costing you more each year. The way to address this is by finding a company that offers loyalty discounts or switching companies when you find a policy that offers the same amount of coverage for less money. Most people save a lot of money when they purchase multiple types of insurance from the same company, such as auto, home and life insurance.  

Types of Roof Damage 

Depending on the roofing material, you may need a new roof every 15–30 years. If your leaky roof is caused by general wear and tear over time, you might not be able to file a roof insurance claim against it. Asphalt shingles are popular because they’re extremely durable and can last up to three decades. If accidental damage such as a storm or fire has resulted in your leaking roof, you can file a roof damage claim and only pay your insurance deductible to have the entire roof repaired or replaced.  

Leaks 

Leaks are one of the most common roof problems. They’re a sign that there’s significant structural damage to your roof, which could be caused by poor roof construction, water or hail damage or the overgrowth of mold inside your roof. Falling objects such as tree limbs can also puncture your roof and expose the inner components to weathering much faster.  

Storm Damage 

Extreme weather is considered a covered peril for home insurance. It doesn’t include water damage due to floods unless you’ve added flood coverage to your insurance policy. However, it does cover wind damage and leaks that are due to excessive snow, hail and tree damage.  

Fire 

Fire is one of many covered perils regardless of what type of insurance you have. In addition to the other structural repairs you need to make, you may find you need to repair a damaged roof. Your insurance company should cover the replacement costs in this case. 

Will My Insurance Company Cover Roof Leaks? 

Your homeowners insurance will cover roof leaks as long as the reason your roof is leaking isn’t due to your failure to maintain your property. Other factors your insurance company will consider are your roof’s age and any additional coverage you purchased that could apply to your claim. Even if you have an older roof, you may be able to save money on your repairs by filing a claim. 

How Pinpoint Innovations Can Help 

Pinpoint Innovations offers expert roofing services across Southern Maryland, including Charles, Calvert, Southern Prince George and St. Mary’s counties. Regardless of whether you’re filing a roof damage claim or need routine maintenance, we have the perfect solution for you. Our products come with a 50-year warranty, so you can be sure you’re covered next time you need to repair or replace your roof. 

Contact us today or call (240) 222-1453 to get a free estimate.