Will Insurance Cover an Older Roof?

Replacing an older roof is an expense that homeowners often aren’t ready to face. Carrying homeowners insurance can save money in some situations, but it’s hard to know when insurance will cover an older roof.

Whether there has been an emergency leading to you needing a roof replacement or you’ve reached the end of your roof’s lifespan, it’s good to know when to contact your insurance provider.  

Are You Replacing an Older Roof?

It’s important to know your roof’s true age, especially if you’re considering a replacement. 

There are several tell-tale signs of an older roof:

• Do you see signs of wear-and-tear like curled, warped, or missed shingles?
• Is your roof sagging in spots?
• If your house is the same age as your neighbors’ house, ask if and when they replaced their roof. (If your neighbor had a roof replaced, it might be time to replace your own roof!)
• Check for green algae or moss, a sign of old age on your roof.  

An older roof is not necessarily one that needs to be replaced. A lot depends on the material your roof is made of. For example, slate roofs, also called “forever roofs,” can last up to 100 years. Metal roofs can last 50 years or more. Cedar shake roofs have a 30-year life span. But the predominant roof materials are asphalt shingles, lasting between 15 and 20 years. Overall, any asphalt shingled roof over 15 years old is considered an older roof and is probably near the end of its useful life span.

5 Benefits of Insurance That Protects a Roof’s Lifespan

So where do you find the information about what is and what isn’t covered during a roof’s lifespan? The first place to look is on the insurance policy under the category of Dwelling. You can get important information on your home and the coverage for any structures connected to the main house, like your garage or your in-law unit. Because the strength of the roof is key to the home’s longevity, insurance companies need to know that a home’s roof is solid and undamaged. 

Some homeowners may grouse about the cost of paying homeowners insurance without really understanding all the benefits. Because every home is different and insurance regulations vary from state to state, there are some variations in what insurance covers. Here are five benefits of homeowners insurance:

1. Covers 80%-100% of your home’s value for damage up to and including total loss. 
2. Compensates up to 100% of the loss of a homeowner’s belongings like furniture, electronics, and personal items such as jewelry or art. 
3. Protects against natural disasters like lightning, wind, falling objects, and hail. 
4. Provides lawsuit protection if someone falls, gets hurt, or even gets bitten by your dog on your property. 
5. Provides mortgage protection against natural disasters or calamities that cause missed payments.

Notice that most of these cover loss or damage, which means that a storm or other disaster might make it easier to get a claim approved than just having an “old” roof. That said, there might be other items that get damaged due to a bad roof—for example, a roof leak that leads to ruining furniture and electronics. You might be able to get compensation for those lost items.

But Does Your Insurance Cover an Older Roof?

Fire, hurricane winds, or a tree taking out your roof are real-life scenarios that your home should be protected against. Again, it pays to review the conditions of your homeowners policy.

By contrast, consider these six things that insurance does not normally cover:

1. Normal wear and tear
2. Neglect of the property
3. Earthquakes
4. Mold
5. Termites and other insects
6. Flooding

If any of these is the sole issue with your roof, you might have trouble getting it covered. (That said, a replacement might still be a good idea. Termites? Earthquakes? Yeah, get that fixed.)

If there’s damage to your home’s roof that likely is covered, it’s important to submit an insurance claim as soon as possible to reduce further harm. Above all, don’t feel guilty for having to contact the insurance company—that’s what you pay for as a homeowner.

What an Inspection Reveals About a Roof’s Life Span

Smart homeowners get a roof inspection prior to purchasing their homes. The roof inspection is a key indicator to mortgage companies, insurance agencies, or banks that the roof is structurally sound and able to protect the people who will live in the house.

But inspections can occur outside of the purchase of a home, too. In fact, regular inspections every couple of years can help to head off any problems that might be brewing—especially if a roof is older.

A quality roof inspection can tell you the roof’s age and whether there are hazards lurking for the future, including:

• Leaks
• Overflowing gutters
• Water, hail, or wind damage
• Broken shingles
• Insects
• Mold

An inspection should also tell you how serious these problems are, which will give you an idea of how soon repair (or replacement) needs to happen. In some cases, you might be able to wait until you have a larger claim to make—but in other cases, repairing the roof sooner will actually save you more money, even if not covered by insurance.

The Claims Process for Replacing an Older Roof

If you have made several claims in the past, be aware that you might have a harder time getting reimbursed for damage. A claims adjuster won’t pay for damage that results from systematic neglect of an ongoing problem. In fact, you might even be hit with a higher insurance cost if you have submitted multiple claims in the past. Keep in mind that once you submit a roof claim, you may be looking at an insurance increase. If your pocketbook can stand it and the damage isn’t too severe, pay for the repairs yourself. 

You stand a better chance of getting your claim approved if you:

• Evaluate the damage and take pictures.
• Understand the claims and deductible process. If you pay a higher deductible up front, you’ll get more money back after the repair costs are taken out. With a smaller deductible, you’ll receive less money back. 
• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
• Get a roof inspection beforehand so that the claims adjuster knows what the actual repair costs will be.  
• Find out if your insurance company will pay you for partial damage to your roof. For instance, if your roof is hit by lightning, see how much the insurance company can cover for partial damage to the shingles or other roofing material. 

Even a roof over 15 years old can get coverage—depending on the circumstances. Honest Abe Roofing has been working both with customers and insurance companies for over 17 years. Honest Abe’s brand is trusted around the country. If you have an older roof and you want to protect your home from the ravages of time, weather, and just bad luck, contact Honest Abe Roofing today.