Does Insurance Cover Roof Replacement?

by | Nov 17, 2022 | Roofing Tips

roof replacement insurance policy

The roof of your house is one of the essential components of the property. Having a proper roof insurance claim that can back you up during emergencies is important. Natural disasters, such as storms, hail, and strong wind destruction in Austin, Texas, can reimburse roof damage, but they also come with loopholes.

Does insurance cover roof replacement jobs? Let’s find out!

There are two types of homeowners insurance policies:

The first option covers the depreciated value of your roof at the time of the disaster. On the other hand, the latter insurance covers the full roof replacement cost with no deductions for depreciation. This article of Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR will discuss more about roof replacement and insurance claims.

What Does Actual Cash Value Cover?

Purchasing the actual cash value insurance will result in your insurer only paying for the current market value of your damaged roof. If your roof happens to be 15 years old, the insurance company will only pay you the depreciated value. As a result, this insurance claim process leaves homeowners with minimal reimbursement caused by severe weather.

Related Article: How to File a Roofing Damage Insurance Claim

What Does Roof Replacement Cost Cover?

Unlike the previous policy, insurance adjusters will reimburse homeowners with similar construction and type of roof as the original one. This insurance claim process allows you to save money on roof replacement costs, no matter the extensive damage caused to the first one.

How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Most homeowners insurance policies cover roof damage as long as it’s caused by extreme weather. The right coverage will determine how much reimbursement homeowners can expect.

Note that wear and tear explicitly caused by extreme weather only will cover your roof. You can either expect full replacement with a new roof or actual cash value, depending on what your insurance adjuster finds. Flat roofs improperly installed will not be counted as weather-caused damage by insurance experts.

This is why hiring a qualified roofing contractor is crucial if you want to receive enough reimbursement for a new roof through homeowners insurance coverage. The insurance claim process can be complex if you can’t show proof of proper installation to the insurance company.

However, your homeowners’ insurance policy is bound to cover the replacement cost coverage as long as the roof damage was caused by wind damage or severe weather conditions.

What Will the Insurance Company Investigate?

The homeowner’s insurance claim will depend on what your insurance adjuster finds when investigating the roof of your house.

Here’s what the insurance company will check:

  • Improper Roof Installation

Homeowners requesting a full replacement of their damaged roof must ensure the previous installation was done correctly. Your insurance company will not compensate you for a poorly pre-installed roof, let alone provide actual cash value coverage. Hiring a professional roofing contractor is essential if you want the policy to cover your roof.

  • Poor Maintenance 

Insurance coverage options do not pay for the gradual wear and tear of your roof caused by other threats. Homeowners insurance covers natural perils, except damage that was done by pets, faulty foundation, mold, mice infestation, broken water lines, etc.

How to Rightfully Claim Homeowners Insurance Cover

To receive insurance coverage for your roof, whether caused by wind damage or hail damage, it is vital to back up your claim with substantial proof.

Hire a Professional Roofing Contractor

A critical part of settling the homeowners’ insurance process is having a roofing contractor knowledgeable about insurance claims.

Your hired roofing mechanic should be able to understand the insurance process, know the terminology related to it, and professionally work in compliance with the company.

Possess the Correct Paperwork 

Before signing a contract with your roofing expert, share your insurance paperwork with them. This way, your contractor will know how to work around the insurance policies that can cover your roof in case of natural disasters.

This fine print also prevents homeowners from committing fraud by allowing transparency between the roofer and the client.

Collect Visual Proof

One of the first things you should do if you spot damage to your roof caused by severe weather is to take pictures and videos of it. This will help your insurer make the necessary budget for the new roof, no matter which homeowners insurance policy you’ve purchased from the company.

Determine Which Insurance Coverage Works Best for You

Before making your final claim for your roof, it is crucial to determine which process works better for you.

Know that the actual cash value coverage and roof replacement cost coverage have pros and cons, so it’s essential to consider which policy you need.

The former settlement is inexpensive, making it the first choice for many homeowners. However, you have to pay from your wallet if the depreciated cost of the roof is less than what the extreme weather caused to it.

On the other hand, roof replacement cost coverage is initially costly, but it can save you from paying heaps for the insurance.

Most homeowners find it hard to choose between the two policies; however, you only need to talk to your insurer and roofing expert. They can help you understand your insurance options, which coverage to choose, and what you can expect the settlement to pay.

How You Can Protect Yourself from Roofing Scams

The worst thing any homeowner might face is falling prone to roofing scams. Hiring a roofing expert with a legit proof of license and insurance liability is critical.

Seek Recommendations

If you’ve never employed a contractor before, try taking recommendations from friends and family instead of randomly hiring one off the internet.

You should also ensure your contractor knows how to comply with insurance agencies and what homeowners’ insurance covers. Moreover, the hired professional should install your roof correctly so that there’s no way other external factors, except extreme weather, damage it.

Never Pay in Advance

The easiest way to ensure you don’t get scammed by a roofing company is to avoid paying in full before the end of the contract. Many fraudulent roofers work directly with insurance organizations, scamming clients by leaving incomplete projects midway after getting paid.

On top of that, try not to trust overly-eager contractors who pop up after massive storms. Scammers will try to offer you repairs even if your roof doesn’t need servicing. It’s easy to fall prey to such situations and pay large amounts, especially if natural disasters leave your roof in dire condition.

Check Permits

Always ask for permits from the roofer you hire to cross-check with the company they work for. Legitimate companies will always set up building permits before starting the project, so steer clear of any contractor who skips this step.

Let Your Insurance Agent Inspect First

It can be difficult for new homeowners to understand what their property requires in terms of service. As a result, falling prey to fraudulent roofers is common. In such scenarios, it’s always wise to rely on your insurance agent for all roof-related issues.

Whether your roof has undergone damage due to heavy storms or other external/internal factors, a trusted agent can help homeowners understand the depth of the issue. You can also rely on your insurer to provide legal documents following a fallout with the roofing company/contractor.

Conclusion

Claiming insurance coverage for roof damage caused by heavy storms and severe weather in Austin, Texas, is simple when you know which policy to go forward with. It’s necessary to know your rights before asking your insurer to pay for casualties.

On top of that, having a solid alibi with substantial proof to back your claim can help you secure the proper coverage. Make sure to continually partner with a professional contractor for reliable roof installations.

Remember to take pictures and videos of your roof after a storm. Visual proof can assist you when processing a homeowners insurance claim from your insurer. You should first inspect the issue and understand if natural occurrences solely caused it.

Fighting for reimbursement while being wrong can cost you more, as settlements require significant cash.