Will your homeowner’s insurance cover a roof replacement? Even if you’ve thoroughly reviewed your policy, it can be unclear whether it will cover certain damages to your roof. Determining how to get a new roof from insurance can be difficult to explain. There can be so many exceptions and stipulations that vary from one insurance provider to the next.

Determining roof replacement insurance can be frustrating, especially if you’re unsure whether you’re eligible. Your provider may agree to pay partial or full cost or refuse coverage altogether if certain damages are deemed ineligible.

Our guide will walk you through what factors influence coverage, and how to get the most roof coverage from insurance. And hopefully we’ll help you raise the likelihood of your policy covering necessary repairs or complete roof replacement.

How to Get Insurance to Pay for Roof Replacement?

Several features of your roof will influence its eligibility for insurance coverage. A few factors to consider are its shape, recent updates, your location, age of the home, credit score, the deductible, frequency of claims, home security system, and preventative maintenance. Knowing these factors – and how they’ll affect you – is key.

Then, take action: raise your credit score, partner with an expert roofing company, invest in long-term preventative maintenance. Take every possible measure to raise your likelihood of qualifying for coverage. Life happens, and you never know whether the time will come when you’ll need it.

Also, do your research on local roofing companies, and ask if they’d be willing to advocate for you with your insurance provider. Expert roofers like Ace Construction & Remodeling Inc. can sometimes help manage coverage on your behalf.

Fortunately, there are several damage-causing events for which homeowner’s insurance does cover partial or full roof replacements. With a bit of planning ahead, you can learn what damages are less likely to be eligible for insurance coverage and take preventative steps. Knowing early which roof vulnerabilities are best to plan for will help you determine whether you’ll qualify for coverage in the future.

How to Get a New Roof from Insurance: The Unavoidable

Impairments inflicted by “acts of nature,” such as foul weather or storms, could also warrant partial or full coverage for roof damages. For example, what happens when a hailstorm wreaks havoc on your roof? If you’ve invested in both quality materials, expert roof installation, and preventative maintenance, but a bad storm still causes major damage, you could qualify for coverage toward leaking roof repair.

Your roof is the most exposed part of your home. Generally, insurance companies do acknowledge that severe effects from the elements are, at times, inevitable. If you can make a clear case that any sustained damage to your roof was unavoidable, your provider is likely to oblige. There are exceptions though, as Matt Timmons shares in How Insurance Covers Acts of God he says “But damage due to earthquakes, volcanoes and floods generally isn’t (covered).”

Taking care of your roof can boost the likelihood of your insurance policy covering a replacement. If ongoing roofing maintenance is left neglected long term, your insurance provider could claim damages ineligible if they were “preventable.” They may also refuse covering repairs or replacement if your roof is older and deemed past life expectancy.

How to Get a New Roof from Insurance: Steps to Take

To improve the likelihood of your provider deeming your roof damages acceptable for coverage, follow these steps:

• When the unexpected happens, diligent roof maintenance is key to ensure insurance coverage. Make it clear to your provider by proving that all preventative efforts were made to ensure your roof’s durability and longevity.
• Arrange roof inspection services to maintain its good condition. Spotting issues early keep damages minimal and costs low.
• Take pictures. Be prepared with proof that it was in good condition before circumstantial damages occurred.
• Keep neighboring trees trimmed to prevent foliage overhang on your roof. If your roof even appears to have sustained any damage from trees, you could be considered at fault.