It depends on your policy and on what caused the damage. Most homeowners insurance policies cover sudden damage from covered events such as hail, wind, or a falling tree. They generally do not cover damage from normal wear, aging, or lack of maintenance. Always check your own policy, because coverage varies.
By the numbers
- Tennessee’s insurance regulator gives this example: a $10,000 roof that is 5 years old, depreciated $500 a year, with a $1,000 deductible, pays $6,500 on an actual cash value policy.
- The same claim on a replacement cost policy pays the current cost of a similar roof minus the deductible, for example $10,000 on an $11,000 roof.
- Many common roof repairs cost $350 to $1,500, which can fall below a typical deductible.
When filing a claim makes sense
A claim is worth considering when a storm caused real damage and the cost to fix it is well above your deductible. If the repair costs less than your deductible, the insurance company won’t pay anything, and the claim may still go on your record.
What we recommend
Have the roof inspected before you call your insurance company. An inspection tells you whether there is storm damage, how much there is, and roughly what it will cost to fix. If the damage is minor and the repair is below your deductible, we will tell you that, so you can decide whether to file.
Things that affect coverage
- Your deductible, which may be a flat amount or a percentage of your home’s insured value for wind and hail.
- Whether your policy pays actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV).
- The age and condition of the roof before the storm.
We can’t promise what your insurance company will decide, but we can document the damage clearly. Learn more about our storm damage services or see the insurance companies we work with.
