A necessary part of home ownership is understanding your homeowner’s insurance. Knowing what it covers (and doesn’t cover) may save you headaches in the long run if your roof sustains damage.
The roof repair experts in Woodstock, GA, at Terminus Construction Group share some of the most common causes of roof damage and what kind of roof damage is covered by insurance.
While most insurance companies cover damage resulting from severe weather, make sure you read the fine print of your policy. Insurance coverage usually includes damage from high winds, torrential rain, hail, and lightning strikes. These types of weather often cause extensive damage to your shingles, decking, and underlayment, and fortunately, most of it is likely covered under your homeowner’s policy.
While roof leaks may be a common issue, the question of insurance coverage for those leaks is more complex. In the case of a leak caused by high winds or hail damage, the severe weather coverage clause in your insurance may help offset the repair costs of a leaky roof.
However, insurance will usually not cover a roof leak that results from regular wear and tear or lack of routine maintenance. Keeping your roof in tip-top shape with regular roof inspections goes a long way toward saving you money in repairs. It may also help avoid a fight with your homeowner’s insurance company over what kind of roof damage is covered by insurance.
Another common source of roof damage, falling trees, may be a tricky insurance issue as well. In most cases, damage to your roof from an otherwise sturdy tree falling on it during an intense wind or rainstorm is covered by insurance. But even if a tree falls during severe weather, you must prove it was a result of the storm, not neglect.
For example, you may have a huge tree in the front yard that shades your home but has a few dead branches here and there. If a storm comes up and causes those overhanging branches to damage your roof, the insurance company may contest your claim. If they determine that you could have avoided the damage with prior tree maintenance, your insurance may not cover the roofing repair costs.
Homeowner’s insurance typically always includes a clause protecting you from costs related to an accidental fire. If your roof is damaged due to an accidental fire, most insurance policies cover the repairs. Many policies have exclusions for fires that were set intentionally, so you may need to prove that the cause of the fire was accidental to receive reimbursement.
Terminus Construction Group brings years of experience and top-quality customer service to roof repairs in Woodstock. The team of professionals can answer common roofing FAQs, like “What causes thermal cracking in shingles?” and more.
When you need a roofing contractor who knows what kind of roof damage is covered by insurance, look no further than Terminus Construction Group. Reach out today to schedule roofing repair, inspection, or routine maintenance.