Is Your Roof Covered Under Homeowners Insurance?

new clay tile roof-1Owning a home is part of the American dream, but it also means keeping up on critical maintenance and repairs in order to avoid a costly catastrophe at the worst possible time. This is especially true when it comes to your roof. Disaster can strike at anytime, whether that be from our extreme Arizona weather, high wind speeds and microbursts, or hail damaging your roof. If any of these things happen to your home, having a plan to get it fixed quickly without breaking the bank is a prudent measure.

The good news is that your homeowners insurance is probably the best solution for a speedy and low-cost repair. After all, homeowner's insurance is designed specifically to protect you and your home when something unexpected happens. Most insurance policies cover unexpected roof damage, but knowing what's covered, and more importantly what isn't, is absolutely critical. Here are a few tips to get you thinking about your roof and home insurance claims.

What Kind of Roof Damage Is Covered?

Insurance coverage will range from policy to policy, so it's important to check the specifics under your insurance plan. The dwelling coverage section of your homeowner's insurance is typically where you'll find what parts of your roof are covered in the event of specific damages. Commonly covered events include fire, wind, and hail damage. So if a tree falls on your roof during a windstorm, or if it's damaged by hail, chances are good that your dwelling coverage will help cover needed repair costs. If you have a shed, detached garage, or another unattached structure, those coverages may be found under a non-dwelling or "other structures" clause.

Keep in mind that with most homeowner insurance policies, you will most likely have to pay a deductible before insurance kicks in to cover the remaining balance. Your coverage plan might also cap total repair costs at a specific level. We always advise reading the fine print and knowing what’s covered and what isn’t long before you need it. Calling an experienced roofer to identify and confirm the damage in relation to your coverage before filing an insurance claim will help avoid the potential for your rates to increase from filing non-payable claims.Request a Free, No Obligation Site Evaluation

What Homeowner's Insurance Won't Cover

Insurance typically doesn't cover routine wear and tear. Anything that is considered expected as a roof ages is almost always excluded from damage protection plans. Homeowner's insurance is really designed for emergencies or unanticipated fixes — which highlights the importance of regular roof inspections and maintenance. But, if a roof leak is caused by a sudden and accidental peril, it's probably covered. Many reputable roofing companies offer free, no obligation roof evaluations if you're wanting an expert opinion or peace of mind.

Contact Us For Roofing Insurance Work

The pros and cons of paying out of pocket for a roof repair versus having insurance pay for it varies from homeowner to homeowner. When you work with Azul Roofing Solutions on an insurance claim, we’ll be honest with you. If the chances aren't good that you’ll get the repairs approved, we’ll let you know our opinion. We’ve seen other homeowners who were misled by their roofing company about the likelihood of approval, and now they have a black mark on their insurance record as a result.

If a claim is filed, we always recommend having a reliable roofing company evaluate your roof at the same time the insurance adjuster assesses the roof. The adjuster is a generalist and not a roofing expert. They can often miss crucial components of roof damage that only a trained and experienced eye will notice. It also saves a lot of steps and time if you have a roofer on site with the adjuster as your rooftop advocate. This could be especially beneficial if your roof is actively leaking due to the damage, so the approval can be expedited.

 

If you're debating whether or not you should pay out of pocket for a roof repair or see if your insurance will cover it, we can help! We invite you to contact us to schedule a free, no obligation roof evaluation to get the process started.

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