Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Roof Damage?

Damaged Tile RoofWhen an Arizona homeowner’s roof gets damaged, their first freaked out thought is, “HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST ME?”

So, of course, their second hopeful thought is, “Wait, will my homeowner’s insurance cover the roof repair?”

The answer: It depends on your home insurance policy and the cause of the damage.

Regardless, we can talk about what is (and isn’t) generally covered. And we can also show you how to properly file a roofing claim with your insurance company.

Roof damage your home insurance may cover

Usually, your insurance company will cover roof damage caused a natural disaster, including:

  • Fires
  • Hurricanes
  • Tornadoes

Other types of damage that may be covered if they’re specifically mentioned in the policy, include:

  • Hail damage
  • Lightning damage

Roof damage your home insurance may NOT cover

Usually, home insurance won’t cover damage caused by:

  • Natural wear and tear (aging)
  • Damage due to your negligence (like breaking tiles while walking on the roof)
  • Poor condition of your roof due to lack of maintenance

Remember, maintaining your roof and preventing leaks is your responsibility. You should:

  • Get a professional to inspect your roof for issues that could cause more damage later on
  • Replace worn or broken shingles and tiles
  • Remove dead trees that could fall on your roof (or at least trim the branches hanging over the roof)

Related article: Arizona Roof Maintenance: 6 Simple Ways to Prevent Pricy Roofing Problems

How age of the roof plays a factor in reimbursement

How much the insurance company reimburses you sometimes depends on your roof’s age.

Just as an example, let’s say your roof is under 10 years old: you may get reimbursed for the original value of the roof (minus your deductible).

But if your roof is over 10 years old, you may get reimbursed the depreciated value of your damaged roof.

Again, this is an EXAMPLE. How you’re actually reimbursed depends on your policy.

“How do I file a roof damage insurance claim?”

Step 1) Get free repair estimate from a professional roofing contractor.

You can use the roofing company of your choice (as long as they’re licensed). Either call your insurance company to see who they recommend or hop on over to Google and find one on your own.

Related article: 3 Simple Steps to Choosing an Arizona Roofing Contractor

Step 2) Contact your insurance company to file a claim. (You’ll probably find “file a claim” somewhere on their website.) You’ll need to send them the repair estimate you received from the contractor.

After you file a claim, your insurance company may send out an adjuster to inspect your roof.

Now your insurance company will determine how much to reimburse you (if they do at all).

Most importantly know that you have a choice in what roofing contractor to use, make that choice wisely.

Need a free roof repair estimate?

If you live in the Phoenix of Tucson area, contact Lyons Roofing for a free repair estimate. Once you get the estimate, you can then file a claim with your insurance company.

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