Did you know that roof repair and homeowners insurance go hand in hand during the spring season? This is due to the fact that your roof may suffer a great deal of damage during the harsh winter months. Spring is the time to start thinking about having your roof replaced, and you need to know what’s covered by your homeowners insurance plan and what is not. So, does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement? In reality, it depends on what caused the damage to your roof. The good news is that your homeowners insurance policy does include your roof and the cost to replace your roof if it gets damaged.
However, you will only be covered if the damage or destruction is the result of an act of nature or sudden accident. That basically means if your roof is damaged due to normal wear and tear, and or the roof needs to be replaced because it has outlived its life expectancy, you will not be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Unfortunately, it falls under the category of general home maintenance, and that’s your responsibility. In addition, roofs that are older than 20 years will have limited coverage if any coverage at all.
If your roof has suffered damage from an act of nature or a sudden accident you will need to keep records of the repairs, before and after pictures, and reports from inspectors in order to ensure the approval of your claim. You also need to notify your insurance company as soon as the damage happens if possible. Your roof has a great deal of direct exposure to the elements. For example, the weight of snow and the formation of ice and ice dams during the wintertime can cause a tremendous amount of damage.
In addition, your roof can be damaged by other weather related events. For example, a tree can easily fall on your roof during a violent windstorm. Oftentimes accidents such as a fire can cause a great deal of damage to your roof and can even destroy it. The good news is that your roof is an important part of the structure of your home. So, the dwelling coverage section of your homeowner’s insurance policy will usually protect your best interests against such events. In essence, your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the repair or replacement of your roof in this case.
If you own a home in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts then you need to ensure that you have the proper insurance coverage in place. We can help you get the best deal on all of your personal and or business insurance needs. 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.