Your home's first line of defense against the elements and other perils is its roof. Knowing when and how your roof is covered by your homeowners insurance is crucial before disaster strikes. If you're unable to get your roof repaired in a timely manner, damage may extend to the interior of your home. However, it's also crucial to be aware of common roofer scams to protect your home and finances from further damage after an incident.
Luckily, a local independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the necessary roof insurance coverage. They'll also ensure you fully understand when and how your roof is covered by your policy. But first, here's a deep dive into roof insurance and how to spot common roofer scams.
What Is Roof Insurance?
Coverage for your home's roof is provided under the dwelling coverage section of a homeowners insurance policy. This portion of home insurance is also referred to as structural coverage. If a covered event damages your home's roof, you can receive reimbursement from your home insurance company up to the limit in your home insurance's dwelling coverage section if the claim is approved.
What Does Roof Insurance Cover?
Homeowners insurance for roof damage covers destruction to your home's roof caused by covered perils included in your policy's terms. These can vary by policy, but often include the following:
- Fire, smoke, and lightning damage
- Windstorm and hail damage
- Explosions
- Riot or civil commotion
- Falling objects and trees
- Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
- Frozen pipes
- Damage caused by aircraft and vehicles
- Theft, vandalism, and malicious mischief
- Volcanic eruption
- "Acts of God"
An "Act of God," as defined by home insurance companies, is a natural disaster or event of nature that causes damage to a home that couldn't have been prevented by the homeowner.
Your independent insurance agent can help you review the terms of your roof insurance to ensure you are aware of the exact perils that are covered.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Replacement?
Your home's roof is included in the structural coverage provided by home insurance. Your homeowners insurance policy may pay to replace your roof if it's badly damaged or destroyed by any of the perils listed above, depending on the specifics of your personal coverage. An independent insurance agent can provide you with more examples of disasters that may damage your roof and are typically covered by home insurance.
How Does Roof Insurance Work?
Many people ask, "Is roof damage covered by insurance?" Fortunately, yes, roof damage is covered by insurance in many cases. But a roof insurance policy is not really a separate type of coverage, but rather a portion of the protection included in a standard home insurance policy. Your homeowners policy includes insurance for roof repairs caused by numerous listed disasters, such as fire damage, vandalism, and more.
How Much Does Insurance Pay for a New Roof?
Your home insurance policy may cover your roof at replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV). While replacement cost coverage does not factor in the depreciation of your roof, ACV coverage does. You'll need to review the terms of your policy's dwelling coverage to be certain of how much reimbursement you could receive if you needed to repair or replace your roof due to a covered disaster. An independent insurance agent can help you review your policy to determine if you have actual cash value vs. replacement cost roof coverage.
When Won't Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Damage?
Knowing when your home insurance policy isn't likely to cover roof damage claims can help you be better prepared in case of an incident. Typically, home insurance won't cover damage or destruction to roofs caused by:
- Homeowner negligence
- Typical wear and tear
- Intentional acts
- Aging roofs more than 20 years old
- Wind damage in tornado-prone areas
Home insurance companies often provide little to no coverage for roofs that are more than 20 years old. That's another reason it's wise to get your home's roof updated periodically. It may also be in your best interest to research the type of roof that offers the best insurance coverage in your area.
Further, if you live in Tornado Alley or another area prone to windstorms, be aware that your home insurance may have a wind exclusion. You might need to purchase separate coverage to protect your home against tornadoes and other windstorm damage if you live in one of these areas.
The Types of Roof Damage Insurance Will Cover
Home insurance can cover many different types of roof damage, many of which are visible to the naked eye. Typically, home insurance will cover repairs or replacement for the following types of roof damage:
- Missing shingles
- Lifted shingles
- Sliding shingles
- Damage caused by fallen tree limbs
- Hail dents
Fortunately, your homeowners policy probably includes roof hail damage insurance, too. This means that dents and other damage caused by hail to shingles and other materials on your roof are likely to be covered by your policy.
How to File a Roof Insurance Claim
If your roof has been damaged by a covered peril, you'll need to file a claim through your homeowners insurance policy to get reimbursed for repairs or replacement. Your independent insurance agent can walk you through the entire roof replacement insurance process. It starts with filing a claim, and your agent can contact your home insurance company directly to get the process started. Review your specific home insurance policy with your independent insurance agent to determine when it's appropriate to file a roof replacement insurance claim or a roof leak insurance claim.
Beware of Common Roofer Scams
If a natural disaster has just rolled through your town and damaged several homes, unfortunately, roofing scammers may not be far behind. These scammers, who claim to want to help you fix your roof, often commit insurance fraud, which is the act of deceiving an insurance company to receive payment or compensation. This is a serious crime in most jurisdictions, punishable by fines, community service, probation, and even jail time.
When a contractor exaggerates or creates damage for the purpose of filing an insurance claim, it can be considered fraud. Unfortunately, the homeowner, not the contractor, may ultimately be held responsible.
Roofing scammers attempt to exaggerate or fabricate damage and entice the homeowner with “no out-of-pocket cost” because the insurance company will likely pay for it. To stay safe, it's imperative to be aware of common roofer scams, such as the following.
Storm chasers
Storm chasers are roofing contractors who travel to areas that have had recent episodes of severe weather. The storm chaser knocks on the door and offers to fix the damage at no cost to the homeowner. The homeowner is convinced to file an insurance claim.
The contractor doesn’t charge the deductible, does superficial or no work at all, and disappears. Or the contractor inflates the bid and doesn’t charge the homeowner for the deductible. The work may or may not be completed.
"Free" inspections
This scammer “just happened to be working in the neighborhood” and noticed some damage. The scammer offers to go up on the roof and inspect it for free.
After the inspection, they conclude that the roof has substantial damage and needs to be fixed right away. Also, the scammer happens to be finishing a job down the street and can give you a great price.
This scammer might use the same insurance fraud tactics as the storm chaser. They may also get to the middle of the job and tell you that due to unforeseen circumstances, the cost of materials has gone up. The homeowner must either pay the difference or the scammer won't finish the job.
Down payments
This is a scam used at the start of the job. The scammer insists on getting a down payment for materials from the homeowner and that the first insurance check be signed over to them. The scammer disappears, and no work is completed. Senior citizens and homeowners without mortgages are often targets for this type of roofing scam.
How to Protect Yourself Against Roofer Scams
There are many roofing scams out there, but they are all variations of insurance fraud. Don’t let anyone onto your home's roof without doing your homework.
To stay safe, here are some questions you should always ask someone who claims to be a roofing contractor and investigative steps you can take on your own:
- Ask for proof of a permanent place of business: This includes requesting a telephone number, tax identification number, and, where required, a business license.
- Ask for copies of the contractor’s liability insurance: Look for proof of contractors liability coverage and workers’ compensation certificates. Make sure the coverages are in effect during the job. Note: U.S. workers’ compensation laws vary by state. Consult your state’s laws to determine workers’ compensation insurance requirements.
- Request client references and a list of completed projects: Call these clients to find out if they were satisfied with the work completed by the contractor.
- Find out if the contractor is properly licensed and/or bonded: Call your state’s licensing board for your location's specific requirements (where applicable).
- Insist on a formal written proposal: Examine the proposal for a complete description of the work and specifications, including approximate start and completion dates and payment procedures.
- Check for proof of membership to roofing industry associations: This includes local, state, regional, or national associations, such as the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).
- Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB): Call the BBB or check the website for any complaints that have been filed against the contractor or contracting company.
- Ask about project supervision and quality-control procedures: Request the name of the person in charge, the number of workers required, and the estimated time of completion of the proposed project.
- Request a roofing warranty: Carefully read the warranty and watch for provisions that would void it. Keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid.
In general, if an offer to fix your home's roof sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, price is only one factor to consider when selecting a roofing contractor. Professionalism and quality workmanship should also weigh heavily in your final decision.
An Easy Way to Prevent Roof Problems
Like the rest of your house, your home's roof needs periodic maintenance to keep it in good condition. One simple way to achieve that is through a maintenance agreement with a professional roofing contractor.
Here's why a maintenance program may help keep your home's roof in excellent condition for years to come:
- A maintenance program is proactive rather than reactive. It can help identify roof problems in their early stages when they can be corrected and before they become catastrophes.
- Regular maintenance can reveal and address any sources and causes of roof leaks before they occur. Too many owners have their roof systems examined only after a leak occurs.
- A maintenance program allows for a planned, organized approach to managing a roof asset and responsible, timely preparation of long-term capital expenditures. Using a roof maintenance program greatly improves the necessary response time to address leakage problems.
Once you've vetted a legitimate local roofing contractor, ask about establishing a maintenance program for your home's roof. This can help you save tons of time and money going forward.
An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Get Roof Insurance
An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with a homeowners insurance policy that includes the best roof insurance coverage. Your agent can shop and compare policies and quotes for you from several home insurance companies.
Ultimately, they'll present you with the results that offer the best blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, your agent will be there to help you file home insurance claims or update your coverage as necessary.
Sources
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/111815/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-roof-replacement.asp
https://www.iii.org/article/homeowners-insurance-basics
https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-kind-roof-damage-covered-insurance
