After a storm or other event, it’s smart to protect your home immediately (tarping, drying, boarding where safe) — but document first and coordinate with your insurer so you don’t jeopardize coverage. Most insurance companies and standard homeowners insurance policies cover sudden, accidental roof damage from perils like fire, wind, hail, falling objects, and the weight of ice or snow, while wear and tear or faulty installation are excluded. In 2025, many carriers also apply separate wind/hail or hurricane deductibles often set at 1%–5% of Coverage A, and some pay only actual cash value (ACV) for roof surfaces or exclude cosmetic-only damage; check your declarations and endorsements before repairs (Insurance Information Institute; NAIC; Fitch Ratings). To decide whether to claim or pay out of pocket, compare your deductible to current repair pricing: most 2025 guides show typical roof repairs around $900–$1,200 nationally with common ranges roughly $300–$2,000, and major structural fixes reaching $5,000–$7,000+ (HomeAdvisor; Forbes Home; HomeGuide; Fixr; Thumbtack). Insurers are also increasingly using aerial imagery and roof-age rules for underwriting and claims triage, and some offer credits for impact-resistant shingles or resilient standards like FORTIFIED Roof (LexisNexis 2025 Home Trends; IBHS; IBHS FORTIFIED Roof).
Most insurers cover the following perils when it comes to your roof:
- Fire (sudden, accidental loss; typically covered under dwelling coverage) (III).
- Hail (subject to separate wind/hail deductibles and any ACV or cosmetic-damage endorsements) (NAIC; Texas Department of Insurance).
- Wind (including straight-line winds and tornadoes; check if a wind/hail or named-storm deductible applies) (NAIC).
- Vandalism (generally covered; file a police report to document cause).
- Lightning strikes (covered as a sudden peril; may involve roof and electrical components) (III).
- Falling objects (such as a tree in a windstorm; document the source and damage with photos) (III).
- “Acts of God” (insurer term for events outside human control; coverage depends on policy terms, deductibles, and exclusions; verify triggers for hurricane/named-storm deductibles) (NAIC).
Roof damage may not be covered if:
- Your roof is older or in poor condition and the issue stems from wear and tear, deterioration, rot, or faulty installation rather than a covered peril; many policies now settle older roofs on ACV for wind/hail (III; TDI).
- Neglect or deferred maintenance caused the problem (e.g., failed flashing or long-term leaks) — maintenance issues are excluded marketwide (III).
- Intentional or fraudulent damage by the homeowner (never covered).
- Your policy includes wind/hail or named-storm exclusions, cosmetic-damage exclusions, percentage deductibles (often 1%–5% of Coverage A), or roof-surface ACV/scheduled payment endorsements that limit payout (NAIC; TDI; Fitch).
Filing A Roof Damage Insurance Claim
If you have roof damage that needs repairing, you have to file a claim with your homeowners insurance company. Before you start, confirm which perils are covered, whether your roof is settled on replacement cost (RCV) or ACV for wind/hail, and whether a separate wind/hail or hurricane deductible (commonly 1%–5% of Coverage A) applies. In some states there are strict claim notice timelines (e.g., Florida deadlines for new and supplemental claims) that you must meet to preserve benefits (NAIC; Fla. Stat. §627.70132; III).
- Document the damage. Be sure to take many photos/videos of the roof, attic, and interior water entry; capture hail size or fallen limbs if safe. Take these photos before temporary repairs (tarping, drying) and keep samples of damaged shingles where feasible. Insurers increasingly verify roof condition with aerial imagery; your on-the-ground photos help establish cause and timing (LexisNexis 2025 Home Trends).
- Contact your insurance company. Call your insurer quickly to report what happened and ask if the damage is covered, what deductible applies, and whether your roof is on RCV or ACV. Confirm filing windows and any state-specific rules; for example, Florida requires notice of new residential property claims within 1 year and supplemental/reopened claims within 18 months of the date of loss (Fla. Stat. §627.70132; NAIC).
- File the paperwork. The insurance company can provide you with the forms you need to initiate the claim. Ask whether photos/estimates can be submitted electronically to speed review and when an adjuster (in person, virtual, or via aerial tools) will assess the damage.
- Save receipts for repairs. Save all of the receipts for temporary measures and professional work. Avoid full repairs until the claim is approved, as your insurer may have preferred contractors. If your home is uninhabitable, ask about additional living expense coverage. In Texas, it is illegal for contractors to waive or rebate your deductible, and insurers may require proof you paid it before releasing recoverable depreciation (TDI deductible guidance).
- Expect a visit from an insurance adjuster. The insurer may send an adjuster, use virtual inspection, or review aerial imagery to assess the roof and scope repairs. The adjuster will work with you and the roofer to determine the damage and whether policy terms (e.g., wind/hail deductible, ACV roof endorsement, cosmetic exclusion) affect payment (TDI).
- Know your appeal rights. If you disagree with the estimate or a denial, you can submit independent contractor bids, hire a licensed public adjuster, or use state resources. Some states require “matching” of undamaged areas to achieve a reasonably uniform appearance (e.g., Florida, Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio), and Florida offers mediation for property claims. RCV policies often allow time to complete repairs and recover depreciation (e.g., California provides at least 12 months, extended to 36 months after a declared emergency) (Fla. Stat. §626.9744; Minn. Stat. §72A.201; 806 KAR 12:095; Ohio Admin. Code 3901-1-54; Cal. Ins. Code §2051.5).
Do I have to file a claim before repairing my roof?
It is best to file a roof damage claim before repairing the roof. The insurer may require approved contractors or decide a replacement is more appropriate than a repair. You should, however, take reasonable steps to prevent further damage (e.g., tarping) and keep receipts — these costs are typically considered part of the covered loss (III). To decide whether to file, compare your deductible to current repair pricing: 2025 guides show most repairs cost roughly $300–$2,000 with a national average around $900–$1,200, while major structural fixes can reach $5,000–$7,000+ (Forbes Home; HomeAdvisor; HomeGuide; Fixr). In hail/wind regions, consider upgrading to impact‑resistant shingles or a FORTIFIED Roof during repairs; some insurers offer credits for these resilience features (IBHS; IBHS FORTIFIED Roof).
Will filing a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage raise my premium?
Several different factors go into deciding on an increase in insurance premiums for a roof damage insurance claim. Homeowners carriers commonly remove claim‑free discounts and may add a surcharge that persists for multiple renewals (often 3–5 years), with impact driven by claim frequency, severity, and state rules; your prior claims can follow you across insurers via CLUE, which generally retains up to seven years of home/auto loss history (Insurance Information Institute; LexisNexis CLUE). Because a small claim can cost more over the surcharge period than the payout, weigh filing against your deductible and typical repair costs (national average around $900–$1,200; common range ~$300–$2,000) (Forbes Home; HomeAdvisor).
How long will it take to settle my claim?
Property claim timelines vary with severity, documentation, and catastrophe surge. Many states require acknowledgement within about 15 days and a coverage decision within roughly 30–45 days after receiving a proof of loss (for example, California requires acceptance or denial within 40 days and payment of agreed amounts within 30 days after settlement). Florida requires insurers to pay or deny residential property claims within 60 days after receiving a proof‑of‑loss statement (with exceptions for factors beyond the insurer’s control). In Texas, payment is generally due within 5 business days after claim acceptance (California DOI; Fla. Stat. §627.70131; Texas Insurance Code). In practice, straightforward roof claims that are well documented often see decisions in a few weeks and payment shortly after acceptance; large disaster events can extend on‑site inspections and material lead times (Florida statute; California DOI).
Does homeowners insurance cover roof leaks?
Homeowners insurance may or may not cover roof leaks, depending on what caused the roof leak. If a leak results from a covered peril (e.g., hail or wind damaging shingles/flashings or a fallen limb), it’s typically covered, subject to deductibles and any roof‑specific endorsements. Leaks due to age, wear, or poor maintenance are excluded. Many modern policies use ACV for roof surfaces in wind/hail or exclude cosmetic‑only damage, so payout can differ from full replacement cost even when the cause is covered; verify your endorsements and consider impact‑resistant materials to reduce future loss (III; TDI). Insurance tends to not cover roof leaks if the leak is due to an older roof, neglected or poorly maintained roof, or something the homeowner did to damage the roof.
Will my claim be denied because my roof is old?
Age and condition matter. Claims for damage caused by normal wear and tear are excluded, and many insurers now limit payments on older roofs (e.g., ACV for wind/hail, higher percentage deductibles, or cosmetic‑damage exclusions). Carriers are also tightening underwriting using roof age/condition data and aerial imagery, especially in hail/wind belts (TDI; Fitch; LexisNexis 2025 Home Trends). As for longevity, typical service-life ranges depend on climate, assembly, and maintenance: asphalt shingles commonly serve two to three decades (impact‑resistant options can reduce hail-related replacements); metal roofs can last multiple decades when coatings and details are maintained; concrete/clay tiles often last 50–100+ years but underlayment may require replacement on 20–30‑year cycles in hot climates; slate can last many decades with proper detailing; wood shakes/shingles vary by species/treatment and may be constrained in wildfire zones (IBHS; Tile Roofing Industry Alliance). SFGate estimates the average life expectancy of common roofing materials, but for resilience and potential insurance credits, consider IBHS‑rated impact‑resistant shingles and the FORTIFIED Roof standard, which emphasize sealed decks, enhanced nailing, and stronger edges to reduce storm losses.
