It hailed, what should I do? Why do you pay insurance premiums? It’s a contract that says You’ll pay X and if Y happens, Your loss is covered. “Damage” is defined by most carriers as “loss or harm caused to a property or person.”
Having property insurance safeguards your finances if your building is damaged due to bad weather. The Insurance Information Institute states that generally, insurance covers (or legally should) destruction caused by wind, hail, fire, etc. It is essential to take a look at your policy to know what damage is included & excluded.
Before signing or renewing an insurance policy, examine it closely with an insurance company agent, attorney or public adjuster. This will let you comprehend what kinds of damage are covered. You may require more coverage for lightning or hail damage. Go through your policy carefully to know how much coverage you have. Some insurers offer plans which let you choose the type and amount of coverage for varied kinds of storm damage. The million dollar insights are right here: find out the limits of liability, what exclusions are presented in the policy? What type of policy is it, Replacement Cost Value vs Actual Cash Value?
If you have an actual cash value policy with hail damage as an exclusion, your six figure roof is coming out of your pocket and your policy is border line useless. Technically speaking if hail damages or changes the form of your roof in any way it constitutes as damage. It’s not in its original form and an event changed its performance, legally it should be covered. This is why it’s so important to intentionally review a policy before renewing or buying.
Entire White Papers have been written & published by dozens of engineers on the efficacy of cosmetic damage vs functional damage. The insurance industry saves billions in claims when it comes time to pay out on a claim and the policy holder had no idea they had the exclusions in their policy. It can be legally argued there is no such thing as “cosmetic damage” and the loophole shouldn’t exist as a culprit to be able to deny a claim, but it does. So either protect yourself from it or pay the consequences, pun intended. Check with your broker, they have access to many carriers and you won’t accept addendums nor exclusions that don’t favor the policy holder.
Types of Roof Damage Covered by Insurance
Insurance policies differ and the coverage you need depends on your situation. Most insurance policies cover some roof damage, such as: wind and hail, fallen tree limbs/branches, fire or lightning.
Ask yourself if the cause was out of your control. If it was, like bad weather or a natural disaster, then file a claim with your provider.
Regular wear and tear doesn’t qualify for an insurance claim, because it happens over time. Also, things like settling of the building, improper installation, or maintenance issues don’t qualify.
Understanding Roof Insurance Policies
Owning a property comes with understanding your roof insurance policy. Generally, it covers damage from sudden, accidental, and external causes. This includes damage from extreme weather like hurricanes, tornadoes, and hail. It also covers out-of-the-ordinary incidents, like trees or other objects falling. Your policy typically covers repairs or replacements from covered risks. The coverage level depends on the type of roof, its age and condition, and the disturbance during the storm.
Some policies need extra coverage for certain events, based on the type of roof and how old the house is. Negligence while installing or maintaining may not be fully covered. Neither will long-term lack of maintenance. So read your insurance documents carefully before filing a claim to avoid surprises! This can’t be emphasized enough.
How to File a Roof Damage Insurance Claim
Filing a roof damage insurance claim can be difficult. Understand what your policy covers to know if you’re eligible for coverage. Commonly, homeowner policies cover hail, wind, and objects that fall onto the roof. Plus, vandalism or fire from an outside source is usually covered (cash value for building materials).
But water penetration (leaky pipes, faulty flashing) won’t be covered. If you suspect such a problem, contact an expert quickly. Doing nothing might lead to costly repairs.
Tips for Preventing Roof Damage
Preventing roof damage is better than repairing it after the fact. Home insurance may cover natural disasters like storms, floods, and extreme winds. However, many policies don’t cover damage from lack of maintenance. Here are tips to help you:
- Look for debris like branches and leaves stuck in gutters or blocking vents around the roof.
- Inspect roof covering for signs of wear & tear from hail or snow.
- Clear drainage valleys of any leaves that can clog and cause water damage.
- Check for rust on flashing lines and sealants.
- If something doesn’t aesthetically appear normal, ask a commercial roofer to inspect.
- (It would highly speed up processes by sending a few pictures of potential issues).
If you’ve made it this far the key takeaways are this: Before you buy a cheap insurance policy take a hard look at what’s included and what’s not covered. It’s not as straightforward as an auto policy. Have a real estate attorney or fluent roofing contractor in large loss claims give you feedback on the policy language. If the state of your roof changes in performance after a wind or hail, it’s likely sustained damage. Get a few opinions and work with the experts.