5 Things You Should Know About Roof Coverage

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, and it can also be one of the most expensive to repair or replace. While homeowners insurance may help cover roof damage, what’s covered depends on how the damage occurred and the specific terms of your policy. 

Understanding your roof coverage before a loss happens can help you avoid unexpected costs and help you make informed decisions about protecting your home. You can reach out to Farm Bureau for help understanding your coverage, but here are five important things every homeowner should know about roof coverage. 

1. Roof Damage May Be Covered by Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance may help cover roof damage when it’s caused by a covered event, such as wind, hail, fire or falling debris. If a storm damages shingles or a tree falls on your roof, your policy may help pay for repairs or replacement, subject to your deductible and coverage limits. However, not all roof damage is a covered loss. 

Whether a loss is covered depends on the cause of the damage as well as the conditions and exclusions outlined in your homeowners policy. This makes reviewing your coverage periodically and understanding what events are protected helpful, so you can avoid surprises if roof damage occurs. 

2. Wear and Tear Usually Isn’t Covered

Homeowners insurance generally provides coverage for sudden and accidental damage, meaning it usually doesn’t cover roof issues caused by normal wear and tear, deterioration, or lack of maintenance. Over time, exposure to the elements can cause shingles to deteriorate, flashing to wear out and small leaks may develop. These types of maintenance-related issues are generally the homeowner’s responsibility. 

Regular roof inspections and timely repairs can help prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. Addressing missing shingles, leaks and other signs of damage early can help prevent further damage and reduce the risk of more costly repairs down the road. 

3. Your Roof’s Age Can Affect Your Coverage

The age and materials used on your roof can play an important role in how a covered wind or hail claim may be settled. For example, some insurance providers may use a roof payment schedule that shows the percentage payout you may receive for a covered claim based on your roof’s age and material. 

Because coverage can vary, it’s important to understand how your homeowners policy settles a loss based on your roof’s age. Reviewing your coverage with your agent can help ensure you know what to expect before damage occurs. Try our roof payment schedule calculator to see how much you might receive if you had a covered roof claim with Farm Bureau.

4. Replacement Cost Coverage and Actual Cash Value Are Different^1,2

For covered losses outside of wind or hail, replacement cost coverage and actual cash value are two common ways a roof claim may be settled, and the difference can have a significant impact on your out-of-pocket costs. 

Actual cash value takes depreciation into account, meaning the age and condition of your roof are considered when determining a claims payment. As a result, the amount paid for the claim may be less than the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged roof. On the other hand, replacement cost coverage may help pay the cost to repair or replace damaged roofing materials with comparable materials without applying depreciation, up to the coverage limit. With replacement cost coverage, keep in mind you will likely not receive the full amount for your claim until after the repairs are complete.

Because the payment basis can affect how much you receive after a covered loss, it’s important to know which one applies to your roof. Understanding how your insurance company would settle claims based on your policy can help you avoid surprises and better prepare for potential repair and replacement costs.  

5. Review Your Roof Coverage Before Damage Happens

Understanding your roof coverage before damage occurs can help you make informed decisions and avoid unexpected costs after a loss. It’s important to review your policy’s deductible, coverage limits and understand how a roof claim would be settled, so you know what to expect when damage occurs. It’s also a good idea to revisit your coverage whenever you replace your roof or make significant updates to your home, as these changes may affect your insurance. 

Know How Your Roof Is Protected

Rather than waiting until a storm causes damage or you need to file a claim, reach out to Farm Bureau to discuss your coverage. A review today can help provide greater confidence and fewer surprises in the future.