Helping Homeowners Navigate Common Questions About Roof Damage and Insurance Coverage

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton provides answers to questions that homeowners may have about insurance coverage for roof damage.

After every storm damage service call, the team at SERVPRO of Carrollton is reminded that disaster can strike at any time and often with little or no warning. When it does, the stress can be overwhelming for the homeowner. When high winds and hail from a storm or tornado cause roof damage resulting in a water damage disaster, the homeowner is left worrying not only about the water damage but also about insurance coverage for the damaged roof.

What types of roof damage are covered by homeowners insurance?

The dwelling coverage section of homeowners insurance covers the structure and the roof. The terms of the policy and the causes of the damage determine whether or not the roof damage will be covered by insurance. Sudden or accidental disasters are usually covered; however, some coverage is event-specific, including events such as wind, hail, fire, or the weight of snow. Homeowners will need to review the insurance policy that they purchased in order to determine which types of roof damage their policy covers.

Will insurance cover a complete roof replacement if the damage is only partial?

According to an article in Forbes, “In some cases, the lifespan of the roof is shortened because of damage. Your insurer may cover the cost to replace the entire roof even if it’s only partially damaged. For example, if a homeowner has asphalt shingles damaged by hail strikes, an adjuster would count how many strikes occurred in a section to determine the impact on the lifespan of the roof. If there are enough strikes, the roof lifespan is substantially impacted, and it needs to be replaced.”

Insurance industry professional Steve Severaid adds, “Even if a roof isn’t taking in water right now, the erosion or strikes compromise the lifespan of the roof. This means a roof will never last as long as it should have lasted otherwise; therefore, it should be replaced.”

Partial roof damage can also lead to a full roof replacement if the materials required to fix the roof are not available. A roof tiled with a material that is no longer available for purchase may end up being fully replaced by the insurance company in order to ensure that all materials used in the roof match.

Will insurance cover damage to an old roof?

Forbes warns, “Additionally, since it’s your responsibility to maintain your home, policies don’t cover damage caused by a lack of maintenance. So repairing your roof due to wear and tear, or replacing it because its lifespan is over, won’t be paid for by insurance. Lack of maintenance could also come back to bite you after a storm. If your roof was old or not well-maintained before the storm, you could have trouble getting full reimbursement.”

What are some other insurance issues that may arise with roof damage?

• Roof damage caused by flooding is not covered under typical policies. Homeowners who live in areas that are vulnerable to flooding should be fully aware of what is and is not covered and what special coverage is available. If flood damage is a frequent concern, consider investing in flood insurance.
• A wood roof may incur higher premiums.
• Cosmetic damage to a metal roof may not be covered by insurance.

What are the advantages of having SERVPRO provide water and storm damage restoration services after severe weather?

A damaged roof can allow water to pour into the home, soaking the interior and ruining beautiful furniture, sensitive electronics, and cherished keepsakes. Even after hail and high winds dissipate, rainfall can continue for days. In the aftermath of devastating water damage resulting from a damaged roof, the homeowner needs a trusted damage restoration partner to instill hope and confidence.

SERVPRO of Carrollton is proud to be the local service provider that Bent Tree, Dallas, and Carrollton homeowners call on when they need a rapid, dependable response to storm damage. The company offers the following storm damage restoration services:

• Contents Claim Inventory Service
• Move-Outs/Pack-Outs
• Contents Restoration
• Document/Photograph Drying
• Electronic Cleanup

While insurance coverage for roof damage can be a challenging subject to navigate, homeowners need not experience that same stress when working with SERVPRO of Carrollton to resolve the water damage side of storm damage. They can trust that the SERVPRO of Carrollton team will be their advocate when dealing with the insurance company.

To learn more about storm damage restoration in Bent Tree, TX, Dallas, TX, and Carrollton, TX, call SERVPRO of Carrollton at (972) 446-0383 or email office@SERVPRO10952.com.