There is no denying that your roof is one of the most important features of your home’s exterior. Without your roof, your property would be exposed to the elements and your home could face serious damage. That is why it is essential that your roof remains intact and is well-maintained.
Nobody likes to think about the worst happening to their roof. But sometimes things happen, which can cause considerable damage.
When something severe happens to your roof that’s when you hope you have proper insurance coverage. But when it comes to making a claim, what should you expect from your insurance company?
In this article, we’ll take a look at what you can expect if you need to file a roof insurance claim.
Filing A Roof Insurance Claim: What Are You Covered For when it comes to Home Roof Damage?
If your roof damage is caused by wind, hail, or fire, then you should be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. However, you should check with your insurer as they may have a deductible separate for fire or wind damage.
Unlike other states which may experience hurricanes or hailstorms, it is the Santa Ana winds in Southern California that is the most common weather-related roof issue.
The dwelling coverage element of your homeowner’s insurance policy covers the structure of your property, including the roof. This means that if your roof is damaged either heavily or even slightly because of heavy wind, hail, or extreme rainstorms, then you most likely receive a payout for repairs or a replacement roof.
It is important to point out, that if your roof was poorly maintained prior to the severe weather, then there is a strong possibility that your claim will be denied.
If a roof is over twenty years old, then the roof will very often be insured at its actual cash value. This means that you will only receive a payout of your roof’s current value, which will take into account the twenty years or more worth of depreciation.
Maintaining Your Home Roof for Insurance Coverage
It is essential that you have your roof inspected and maintained on a regular basis. The frequency that you have this done will largely depend on the age of your roof; an older roof should be inspected every two years. If there are trees nearby that hang over your roof, you should inspect your roof more frequently, not to mention, maintain the trees, annually. As a rule of thumb, you should have your roof inspected every two to five years.
There are many reasons why you should do this. However, one of the most significant reasons is that if you attempt to file a roofing claim with your insurance company, and you have neglected to maintain or even inspect your roof, then it may result in your claim being rejected.
Conclusion on Home Roofing Insurance Claims, Cost, and Policy
It is important that you remember that there may be a separate fire and wind deductible. This is particularly important if you live in an area where there is a high chance of damage from these elements. Double-check with your insurer to be certain you are covered for these things. You should also make sure that you have your roof inspected and maintained on a regular basis.
GreatWay Roofing has over 20 years of experience as the leading Ventura County, Santa Clarita Valley, and the San Fernando Valley roofing contractor. We offer free, comprehensive estimates. We also have experience working with homeowners on roof insurance claims. Talk to one of our friendly team members today at (805) 523-2550.