Let’s paint a picture. You are sitting in your favorite chair after a long day at work. You look up to see discoloration on your ceiling. It appears you have a leak in your roof. After some choice words you ask, does my Homeowners Insurance cover this?
When is my roof leak covered by Homeowners Insurance?
In order for a roof leak to be covered by homeowners insurance, the cause must be from a covered cause of loss, or peril. Basically the question is, what caused the leak? Let’s look at some common causes for a leaky roof and see if coverage applies.
Holes in the Roof
These can be caused by debris hitting your roof, such as a tree limb or even an entire tree that falls on your roof due to a storm. In this instance insurance coverage would apply unless your homeowners insurance policy has a windstorm exclusion.
Damaged or Missing Shingles
If your roof’s shingles have been damaged from a hail storm or windstorm, insurance coverage would apply. Again, if your policy has a windstorm or hail exclusion then coverage may not apply.
Clogged Gutters
By not cleaning your gutters on a yearly basis can lead to debris build up, which can cause leaks in your roof. In this instance insurance coverage would not apply due to the cause is not a specific incident, but lack of maintenance.
Age of Roof
Most asphalt roofs last 20 years depending on the quality of the roof. If your roof is over 20 years old and roof leaks are occurring, more than likely the cause of the leak is normal breakdown of the shingles. In this instance, insurance coverage most likely will not apply. The reason is regular wear and tear of the roof. Homeowners Insurance policies do not cover losses from regular wear and tear.
Take Action
If you are experiencing a leak in your roof, we recommend you have a licensed and insured roofing contractor come out to assess your roof. If the cause is from windstorm or hail event, contact your insurance agent to discuss your options when it comes to filing a claim.
Farris Insurance Advisors is an Independent Insurance Agency operating in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Contact us today about joining the Farris Insurance Advisors preferred client family.
