We are currently in the middle of summer in New England. That means a great deal of homeowners is having home improvement work done to their properties. It also means that it’s a good time to have your roof repaired if it needs any repair work. Did you know that your homeowner’s insurance policy might actually cover some or even all of the costs to repair or replace your roof? So, how does roof repair and homeowners insurance work? First and foremost, your homeowner’s insurance policy will typically cover your roof repair or replacement if your roof gets damaged.
That being stated, the damage or even the destruction of your roof needs to be the result of an act of nature or a sudden accident. That means issues that happen from normal wear and tear over time are not covered. In essence, if your roof is old and worn out than your homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover to have it repaired or replaced. On the other hand, if a storm causes a tree to fall over and it causes damage to your roof or completely ruins it, your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the repair or replacement of your roof.
It should be noted that roofs that are over 20 years old will typically have limited coverage if any coverage at all. In essence, your insurance coverage will be significantly reduced if paid at all. Roofs that are 20 years old or older are usually only insured for their actual cash value instead of their replacement cost. The cash value on a roof that’s 20 years old or older is very low. This is due to the fact that a roof that is 20 years old or older is at the end of its life cycle. If it doesn’t need to be repaired or replaced now it will in the near future, and that falls under the property maintenance category as opposed to an insurance claim.
If your roof is damaged by an accident or natural disaster it’s important to keep all records of the repairs in order to ensure the approval of your insurance claim. Also, make sure to take before and after photographs and keep any reports from inspectors handy. You may very well need to submit all of this information as proof that you’re actually entitled to the claim. You should also notify your insurance company immediately after any damages happen.
It will go a long way in speeding up the claim process. It should also be noted that your roof repair and homeowners insurance works in the following manner when it comes to a deductible. The bottom line is that you will be required to pay your deductible prior to the enactment of the coverage.
If you own real estate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you need to ensure that you have the proper property owners insurance policy in place. Please consult with a professional insurance agent that can answer your questions about all insurance related topics. It is important to fully understand exactly what you are buying when it comes to insurance policies. If you have any questions, please call (508) 831-0133 to contact an associate at Zawada Insurance. We are happy to walk you through the details of your insurance policies and explain your coverage options.
We look forward to helping you with all of your personal and or business related insurance needs now and in the future.