Your Roof and Your Homeowners Insurance

As a homeowner it is your responsibility to ensure the integrity of your roof. After all, the roof is the largest and most supporting structure of your home. If the roof is damaged, the interior of the home will likely become damaged. Having a roof repaired or replaced can be quite costly, which is why many of us have homeowners insurance. However, not all damage is covered under your homeowners insurance policy and you may be surprised to find out what you may be liable for paying out of pocket.

The Ins and Outs of Insurance

No two homeowners insurance policies are the same. In fact, the difference in your policy and your neighbor's policy is probably vastly different, even if you use the same company. The reason is because the policy is developed based on the specifics of your home, so unless your home is the exact same floor plan with the same builder materials inside, your policy is likely to be different.

What many homeowners find surprising the what types of repair or damages are not covered under their policy. Many people assume they have insurance coverage for certain types of repairs or damages when, in fact, they do not. They may not realize something isn't covered until their claim is denied, leaving them with hundreds to thousands of dollars in repair bills.

Getting To Know Your Policy

The best way to ensure there are no surprises in your insurance claims is to get to know your policy. Read the fine print and make sure you understand the details of the policy. Each policy will list the terms and conditions of the policy, as well as procedures for filing a claim. It is important you review the terms and conditions of your policy, rather than find out later on a particular damage claim does not qualify.

Most insurance companies offer coverage for damage related to natural events or "acts of God". In other words, any damage done to the roof as the result of a weather event, or unforeseen occurrence, would be covered by the insurance company. These events typically include hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning and intense rain or wind. However, most insurance policies have qualification standards and restrictions in place that many people haven't read about. The most common restriction is whether the damage could have been prevented with proper maintenance.

For example, Jon and Susan experienced a hurricane and their roof was severely damaged during the storm. When the filed a claim to have their roof repaired, the insurance company denied their claim. Why? The insurance company had determined that Jon and Susan failed to properly maintain their roof prior to the storm; therefore, the damage could not be solely attributable to the storm. Had Jon and Susan kept their roof in good repair prior to the storm, the insurance company would have covered their claim for the repair.