If your roof needs to be replaced, be prepared for an average bill of $24,700 for asphalt shingles and $40,318 for metal roofing, according to a 2020 report from Remodeling magazine. Of course, this will depend on the roof size and your location.

Home insurance can cover the cost after certain types of damage, but you can’t always count on an insurance payment.

Types of Roof Damage Covered by Homeowners Insurance

The dwelling coverage portion of your homeowners insurance covers the house structure, including the roof.

Types of roof damage covered by your insurance will depend on the policy’s terms and the reasons your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Typically, a policy covers problems that are sudden or accidental, and caused by certain events such as wind, fire, hail or the weight of snow.

Insurance for partial damage. 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.

“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,” Steve Severaid, senior vice president & treasurer with The Greenspan Company/Adjusters International.

Insurance for matching issues. If the materials to fix your roof are unavailable, your insurance company may have to replace the entire roof. For example, if you have slate tile that you can’t get any more, you may have to replace the entire roof to ensure materials match.

Wind and Hail Damage

Home insurance companies in past years have been walloped by numerous and expensive roof claims. To combat this, many home insurers have implemented different coverage levels for wind and hail damage vs. roof damage from other causes. You might find that:

  • You can buy only “actual cash value” coverage for wind and hail damage if your roof is too old to qualify for replacement value coverage. Your insurance reimbursement will be based on the depreciated value of the roof at the time of the damage. This will take into account the age of the roof and its materials. The upshot is that you could get substantially less money than you need to replace the roof. You’ll have to pay the difference.
  • If your roof is newer and in good shape, you may be able to buy roof replacement cost coverage. This will pay you the full amount to get a new roof.

Other Things Not Covered

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.

Homeowners insurance also won’t cover damage caused floods or earthquakes, including roof damage. If you live in an area at risk for these disasters, consider flood insurance or earthquake insurance.

More Roof Issues

Have a wood roof? You may pay more for home insurance. For example, Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. of Nebraska charges 25% more for dwelling coverage if you have a wood roof.

Have a metal roof? Cosmetic damage from hail may not be covered.

Get a better roof than before: Insurance companies usually don’t pay to give you something better than what you had before. But you may be able to buy a “fortified roof endorsement” that will replace your non-fortified roof with a better one if the entire roof requires replacement. Fortified roofs are made to meet standards set by the Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Consider Your Deductible

The deducible is the amount you must pay for repairs before your insurance company covers the rest of the cost.

In some states insurers can have a special deductible for wind and hail damage from hurricanes. So if your roof blows off in a hurricane, you may find you have a higher deductible to deal with. The regular deductible still applies to other types of damage, such as a fire.

Do You Want to Exclude Wind and Hail?

Usually homeowners want good and broad coverage for their homes. But wind and hail is a different ballgame in many states. Insurers pass along the costs of past wind and hail claims to current homeowners. You may be able to choose to exclude wind and hail from coverage in the interest of saving money.

For example, in Florida, State Farm offers these choices:

  • Keep the wind and hail coverage offered in the homeowners policy.
  • Exclude wind and hail damage from coverage in order to save money.
  • Take a separate, higher deductible for wind and hail damage from hurricanes in order to save money.

Tips for Filing a Roof Claim

Review your insurance policy. The first good step in making a roof claim is to try to understand your policy. There’s no point going to battle for coverage that you never had. For example, is the roof damage actually covered, or did you choose to exclude wind and hail damage? Is your coverage for replacement cost or actual cash value?

Assess the damage. If you suspect there is roof damage from a storm, inspect your entire home, not just the roof. You’ll want to know the scope of the damage when you contact your insurer to start a claim.

Getting an estimate. Get an estimate for repair based on what you had, not on how you want to change things. Don’t rely on the adjuster to determine the repair cost of the roof. Make sure to get a written estimate on a roofing company’s letterhead with the company’s contact information.

Be prompt. Time is of the essence when dealing with a roof claim. “The longer a roof sits with damage, the more weather and dirt makes it less obvious what the damage is since it looks like wear and tear,” says Severaid.

Keep a log of correspondence. What starts out as a seemingly simple claim could blow up into a nightmare. You’ll be glad if you kept records from the start, including photos, who you spoke to and when, and what they told you.

Tips: What to Do If You Get Roof Damage

Protect the home from further damage. If a tornado rips through your neighborhood and tears part of your roof off, protect your home from further damage. In fact, preventing further damage when possible is often a requirement in homeowners policies, and further damage may not be covered. You may need to put up a tarp while you alert your insurer.

Don’t let the insurance company boss you around. Insurance companies are a business and may not have your best interests in mind when it comes to paying out roof damage claims. If you’re not doing a good job of explaining what they should be paying you, they have no fiduciary obligation.

You’re entitled to fair trade pricing, so make sure you have a solid repair estimate. If you have a large or complicated claim, consider hiring a public adjuster to work on your behalf.

Don’t get multiple estimates. If you get multiple estimates, your insurance company will want to see all of them and may only accept the lowest one. The lowest estimate may not be the best quality.

Consider roof material that can get you an insurance discount. Research materials that will be more durable than your past roof. Your insurance company might be willing to offer a discount for impact-resistant roofing. Check with the insurer on roof material discounts before you make a final pick.

Watch out for roof repair scams. Scams often grow In the aftermath of large storms. People looking to prey on vulnerable homeowners might go around the neighborhood offering quick repairs and telling you that they detected roof damage that you can’t see. Watch out for:

  • Insisting on big payments upfront: If a contractor wants more than 10% or $1,000 down, be wary. Laws often say that contractors can’t require larger deposits for home improvement contracts.
  • Check licensing: While not all states require a roofing license, it’s wise to work with a licensed contractor so you know they meet proper professional standards.

Home Insurance Roof Claims FAQ

Does my home insurance cover water damage from a leaky roof?

A standard home insurance policy covers water damage and leaks for certain types of accidents—for example, if a fallen tree branch causes a roof leak. 

Home insurance won’t cover a leaky roof that’s been neglected or poorly maintained. For example, if your roof is old and needs to be replaced, your home insurance most likely won’t cover water damage from leaks.

Does my home insurance cover roof damage caused by a hurricane?

Home insurance for hurricane-related damage can be a bit tricky. Home insurance generally covers wind damage to roofs, but some insurers exclude certain types of hurricane-related damage. For example, some insurers in Atlantic coastal states will exclude wind-related damage, meaning roof damage won’t be covered by a standard home insurance policy. 

You might need windstorm insurance as an endorsement to your home insurance policy or as a standalone policy. If you live in an area that’s prone to hurricanes, talk with an agent to make sure there are no gaps in your coverage.  A good hurricane insurance plan is typically a mix of homeowners insurance, flood insurance and wind insurance (if needed separately).

How do I avoid roof scams?

Fraudulent contractors often take advantage of homeowners after an area has been hit by severe storms. A typical roof repair scam involves a contractor who demands payment up front and often takes off with the cash. If they do the work, it’s usually shoddy, incomplete and substandard materials. 

The National Insurance Crime Bureau says to be aware of contractors who insist on up-front payment before they begin work or offer lowball bids that come in much lower than other contractors. They may even offer a “special hurricane deal” or say they’ll rebate your home insurance deductible. 

If your roof is damaged after a storm, it’s a good idea to coordinate with your insurance company and get more than one estimate from licensed and insured contractors. Make sure you get a signed contract before the work begins that specifies the cost, time schedule and any other expectations.