Will A Roof Replacement Raise Your Insurance If You File A Claim

There are quite a few variables that can impact your insurance rate. If your roof is damaged and you file a claim, your rate could increase. If you repair your roof and your home becomes safer as a result, then your rates could decrease.


When you first encounter an issue with your roof you might, instinctively, want to file a claim. However, instead of filing a claim immediately, you should review your policy and be certain of what it entails before proceeding.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Damage?

Of course, most homeowners insurance offers coverage for roof damages from select weather conditions; you should review your policy and find out the exact stipulations on what your insurance will and will not cover.

If you haven’t acquired Homeowners insurance and are currently shopping around, be sure to find out what potential coverage will serve you best, as far as roof replacements. Some roofing materials are more expensive than others and some are more fragile, so it’s always best to know what exactly your insurance company is willing to cover.

Understand Your Insurance

Before filing a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage, be sure to set aside some time to review your policy and understand what is covered and what is required of you, especially in regards to roof repairs and roof replacements. Do this before speaking with your insurance company about your coverage.

In some cases, even speaking with your insurance company could result in a report to the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. This is what manages a homeowner’s “insurance score”.


Your score affects your chance of approval for new coverage amongst insurers. This is why it’s important not to call the insurance company until you’re certain you want to file a claim.

Some policies pertain exclusions to hail and windstorms, so they won’t cover the related cost, although this is uncommon, it’s becoming more prevalent within insurance policies which is why you’ll want to review your exclusions ASAP.

Check for your coverage limits and deductibles. The deductible is what you’ll pay on a covered claim, this will be deducted from the payment provided.

Typical deductibles range between $500 and $1,500, however, today you’ll find that some policies are setting the deductible at a percentage of the home’s value. So make certain of how much you’ll have to pay before and after your insurance issues coverage for the claim.

When claiming for roof repairs on insurance know your coverage limits. Coverage limits are the capped amounts your insurance is willing to pay for a loss. For example, if you have $12,000 worth of damage, but your coverage limit is capped at $10,000, you’ll have to pay the remaining balance.

Also, know that you’re limited to the number of insurance claims you can file within a certain time frame before affecting your premiums or worse, having your policy voided. Filing multiple claims within a year or even a few years is alarming to an insurance company.


What Kind Of Damage Is Covered by Insurance?

Typically, damages from natural disasters such as lightning, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and hail are covered by homeowners insurance. Your policy may include coverage for severe winds or damage due to smoke or fallen objects, however, natural movements like earthquakes are usually not covered by insurance policies.

If your roof is damaged by a storm, you’ll need strong evidence to support your claim and prove what caused it. Take plenty of photos of the roof and any debris left by the storm. Insurance companies can be very technical so be sure to capture good pictures of tree limbs, broken vents or gutters, any dents, areas where you’re missing shingles, and even where they landed.

Have all your paperwork together to prove that was in a good condition before the storm.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?

You betcha! Homeowners insurance will cover roof leaks so long as they occur abruptly and accidentally via a covered peril, such as a storm with high winds or hail. Insurance companies can be quite technical, but as long as your damage falls within the criteria they’re looking for, rest assured your roof leak will be covered by insurance.

How To Get Insurance To Pay For Roof Replacement After A Storm?

First things first with roofing insurance claims for storm damage you’ll need a written, itemized estimate for the adjuster to determine whether the replacement is necessary. Homeowners insurance might cover the roof replacement or repairs so long as the damages that occurred match the criteria stipulated by the insurance company.

If you have roof damage that resulted from wind or hail, this is referred to as an ‘Act of God’ and shouldn’t affect your insurance rate. Damages accrued from an earthquake or flood usually aren’t covered, and other instances that could’ve been avoided under your control -like damage from a low-hanging tree branch that could’ve been trimmed- may affect your rates.

Understanding homeowner’s insurance policies can be confusing and even frustrating at times. An important thing to remember is that these policies are configured to uphold the structure of your home from damages incurred from perils like wind, hail, or a fire.

If your roof is damaged due to a storm, usually the insurance policy will cover the cost of roof repairs or even a replacement. If your roof wasn’t overaged, and if you can prove that there was no damage prior to the storm. Sometimes the strong winds from a storm will rip off your shingles, vents, or chimneys. A tree could fall on your house or your home could catch fire due to lightning; there are many instances in which a roof replacement or repairs would be necessary.

On an insurance claim for roof replacement, your insurance company will send out their roofing inspector to conduct an insurance inspection to determine whether the damages incurred are presumed to be caused by a storm or other severe weather peril. Most insurances will not cover normal wear and tear from the natural aging of your roof.


Storm damage claims are heavily scrutinized by insurance companies. Once you file a storm damage insurance claim you will kick start a list of proceedings that are necessary for you to receive adequate funding, if at all, for roof repairs and replacements.

They’ll want to make certain that the damages are due to storms or other perils that meet their coverage criteria. They’ll need absolute proof that the damage is due to the storm and no other reason.

Hail Damage Insurance Claim

If you’re looking to file an insurance claim for roof hail damage check to make sure that your policy doesn’t have an exclusion to hail-related perils. Most homeowner insurance policies cover damages due to hail, but some don’t.

Some areas in colder climates might have more restrictions on hail damage roof insurance claims because hail is expected and more likely to occur in those areas.

Wind Damage Insurance Claim

Yes, homeowners insurance usually covers most types of severe wind damage. Filing an insurance claim for roof damage by wind might be a little more tedious, as it can be more of a challenge to prove that the damage was caused by wind.

Usually, the dwelling coverage will pay for the repairs or replacement to the roof, windows, or siding due to wind damage. Check your policy and find out exactly what your coverage entails.

Will A Roof Replacement Raise Your Insurance If You File A Claim?

A new roof replacement could either raise or lower your insurance rates. If it makes your home safer your rates may decrease as a result and if you need a file a claim and need a new rate, your rates could increase in some cases.

Why Your Roof Damage Might Not Be Covered By Insurance

Many factors come into play when it comes to insurance coverage. To put it simply, insurance companies don’t want to pay full price for roof repairs or replacements, especially if the roof was old and nearing the end of its depreciable life span.

A roof replacement can be quite expensive; a new roof could anywhere from $7,000 to $30,000 depending on the shape, material, and size of your roof.

One reason your insurance may not cover the roof damage is the age of your roof. The lifespan of most shingle roofs is 20 years, if your roof is deemed too old then it’s unlikely that your insurance replace it.

Another reason your roof damage might not be covered is if the damage is deemed your fault. Homeowners insurance usually steps in when the damage is due to extreme circumstances beyond your control. However, if the insurance company can reasonably place blame on you, then they won’t be of much assistance.

For example, if one of your shingles blew off and exposed the underpayment to rain, and you never repaired it, any damage, thereafter, could be deemed as “your fault”. If you try to make reparations yourself and end up making things worse, this can get your coverage denied as well.


Insurance companies are in business to make money so they generally don’t want to cover roofing that’s easily damaged or highly expensive. For example, wood shake roofs are high risk because they’re more costly, burn easily, and have a similar or shorter lifespan than shingle roofs.

Moreover, if the peril that caused the damage isn’t covered by your policy, then don’t expect to receive coverage. This is why I urge you to look over your policy and make note of all the perils covered and know your coverage exclusions.


When To File An Insurance Claim For Roof Damage?

If your home has been affected by an abrupt and disastrous event, some examples are, a tree falling, a fire, a storm, or severe weather conditions, you might be eligible for coverage.

Once you’ve reviewed your insurance policy and gained some awareness of the eligibility requirements, and the coverage offered to you. File the claim as soon as you can and expect the insurance adjuster to have your roof inspected.


Filing an Insurance Claim for Roofing Damages

Homeowners insurance will often cover roofs damaged by severe weather. When filing an insurance claim for roof damage, be sure to take as many photos as you can, document the damage, and keep the receipts from hotels and temporary fixes.

After reviewing your policy, you’ll want to file the claim as soon as you can, after which, the insurance adjuster will have the damage inspected.


After approval, you’ll receive a reimbursement check within 30 to 60 days. On the other hand, if your claim gets denied, you can appeal. Typically your first claim won’t affect your premiums.

Need help from a roofing insurance specialist?

Filing an insurance claim is a frustrating process but Future Roof and Restoration can help you with the process! We are a roofing insurance specialist, the best in Roswell/ Atlanta area! We also offer public adjuster services. Please call (770) 674-1553 with any questions you might have.

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