What You Need to Know about Home Insurance and Roof Replacement
One of the most important lessons for homeowners to learn—and too many of them learn it only when it’s too late—is that one cannot assume that having homeowner’s insurance means being covered for any and all damages to one’s house.
It is imperative to read in its entirety any policy one is considering, and to not sign it without being sure one understands each of its provisions. Homeowner’s insurance policies vary, which means that what is covered in full, what is covered in a qualified way and what is not covered at all varies.
One notable area where unpleasant surprises are frequent for the unwary is roofs. It is simply not always the case that roof repair and roof replacement will be paid for through one’s homeowner’s insurance. Indeed, roof exclusions are among the most common of homeowner’s insurance exclusions.Only occasionally are all claims involving roofs excluded. More often the exclusions are partial.
For instance, a homeowner’s policy might specify that roofs of certain materials are not covered. Or roofs older than a certain age. Or roofs that have been reshingled and now have more than a certain number of layers of shingles.
A policy might also draw a distinction between damage done by a specific “act of God” such as a tree landing on the roof during a hurricane, versus normal expected wear and tear. Or a policy might cover certain forms of roof repair but not cover replacing the roof.
Even for what a policy does cover, there might be a dollar limit on roof work.
A homeowner’s insurance policy will lay all this out explicitly, though some of it may be in jargon that is not simple for a layperson to fully understand. That’s why it is crucial to go over one’s policy carefully, and to consult with a knowledgeable professional if necessary.