Roof damage can be heartbreaking, but home insurance can be the needed compensation. When your roof is damaged, the next thing that comes to your mind is how to make a claim from your insurance provider.
However, as a homeowner, you want to know if your roof is covered by insurance, so you know what action to take next.
While home insurance policies differ, most insurance providers cover roof damage due to unforeseen events, such as wind, hail, and falling trees.
However, home insurance doesn’t cover roof leaks from aging wear and tear. Also, if your roof leaks due to a lack of maintenance, your insurance provider will decline your claim. It is part of your basic responsibility as a homeowner to maintain your roof and keep it in good condition.
What types of roof damage are covered by Home Insurance?
There could be a few categories this falls under: Hazard Insurance Deductible, Wind/Hail deductible, and/or Named Storm Deductible. Different Insurance companies offer various deductibles. Hazard deductible would cover such things as lightning, explosions, fire, and the occasional meteor hitting the roof. Wind/Hail would cover high winds and of course, hail damage, as it says. The named storm applies to named Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, and Depressions. Texas state law requires you to pay your deductible for each peril.
Roof Claims
Roof claims can fail even when your home insurance policy covers the damage. Disputes can occur when the roof leaks due to an insured event, but the insurer claims you played negligence in your roof maintenance.
For example, when high winds lift some shingles, but you don’t pay attention to the little signs that precede the event, your insurer may reject your claim.
Hence, it makes sense to maintain your roof and repair simple damage before it degenerates into bigger issues. This way, you can prove to your insurer that you played your part in ensuring the roof is in good condition.
It is also important to keep all receipts for repair and inform your insurance provider once your roof is damaged.
If your insurance rejects your claim and you are sure it is their obligation to fund the repair, you can proceed by pursuing the matter in a local court. However, you want to seek financial advice before proceeding, as you may be liable to some charges if the matter fails in court.
How to Locate a Roof Leak
Locating roof leaks helps prevent more severe damage. Locating and repairing roof leaks help prevent damage to other parts of the home and even your possessions. However, this can be tricky as roof leaks are not usually obvious.
Here are a few tips for locating leaks on your roof:
Look for stains: although roof leaks can be difficult to identify, some visible signs can point to a roof leak. Stains on the ceiling or walls can point to a leaking roof. While this might not show the exact point of the leak, the leak is not far from the spot.
Check for daylight: climb into the attic and look for daylight. Daylight coming through the roof into the attic means the roof is cracked somewhere. It’s not out of the norm to see daylight from roofing vents. However, these do need to be sealed properly. These tend to be the #1 source for water leaks.
Check for missing shingles: missing or lifted shingles are also an obvious sign of a roof leak.
If you notice any of these signs, it is best to call on a roofing contractor immediately for repair to prevent serious damage. Remember, repairing small roof damage will help ease your claim from your insurance provider when an unexpected event finally damages your roof.
About Reign Roofing
Reign Roofing is located in Richmond, TX. Our service areas include the Greater Houston Area, Austin, and San Antonio. We specialize in Roof Claims, Water Damage, Roof Leaks, Repairs, and Roof Replacements.
