Roof damage from a storm? Replacing a new roof is expensive. When you own a home, you purchase homeowner’s insurance in order to reduce your financial liability against unforeseen circumstances, such as a hurricane or tornado. However, there are a lot of different events that could damage your home’s roof. Here is what you need to know about the coverage your homeowner’s insurance provides for different types of hazards for roofing systems.
Fire
Fire damage to your roof should be covered by all homeowner’s insurance policies. A fire could result from a lightning strike on or near your home. A spark from fireworks or your neighbor’s bonfire could also land on your roof, setting it on fire. If your chimney isn’t properly maintained, it is possible for a chimney fire to spread to your roof. Burning leaves or garbage in your yard could also result in a roof fire. In most of these cases, the fire damage will be covered. However, your policy might limit the coverage to the value of your roof before the fire, rather than the cost of a brand-new roof.
Vandalism
Your homeowner’s insurance policy will also cover vandalism damage to your roof. Vandalism may include intentional damage from mischief-makers that cause roof damage. It also includes damage related to crimes, such as a burglary of your house. Vandalism may also include spray paint, items are thrown on your roof, or vandals climbing onto your roof and damaging it with their bodies or with tools. Your homeowner’s deductible will apply to acts of vandalism of your property.
Tornadoes, Hail, and Hurricanes Roof Damage
Tornadoes, hurricanes, and tropical storms are identified in homeowner’s insurance policies as “acts of God.” There is no way to predict that your roof would experience damage, and there is nothing you could do about it. If you live in a hurricane or tornado zone, you may need to have a certain type of roof installed in order to maintain coverage for roof damage. Not all insurance policies will cover hail damage. For example, if your home has a metal roof, the insurance company might claim that the hail damage is only cosmetic. Insurance policies typically don’t cover cosmetic damage. On the other hand, hail can wreck an asphalt shingle roof. This type of damage to shingles is functional. Your insurance would cover the damage, but it might be prorated to the age of your roof.
High Winds, Straight-Line Winds and Trees
A tree falling onto your home should fall under the “acts of God” clause in your insurance policy and considered roof damage. However, if the tree was diseased or damaged, and you failed to arrange for proper care of the tree, the insurance company might not cover it. This would fall under the negligent maintenance clause. High winds, including straight-line winds, may or may not be covered. If you want full coverage for a replacement roof at today’s cost, a comprehensive homeowner’s insurance plan will give you peace of mind. Contact Steele Restoration, your local Charlotte contractor, for more information on how insurance will cover your damaged roof.