Does Homeowners insurance cover my roof?

Homeowners insurance generally only covers the replacement of the roof if it was damaged by certain covered perils or events.

The dwelling coverage in a homeowners insurance policy typically helps protect your home’s structure, including the roof, from certain perils, or causes of damage. Commonly covered perils include fire, wind and hail damage. So, if your roof needs repairs after it is damaged by hail or by a tree that topples onto it during a windstorm, you may find that your dwelling coverage helps cover the cost. Read your policy to learn what your deductible and coverage limits are, or contact your agent for help adjusting them to fit your needs.

However, homeowners insurance generally does not cover damage resulting from lack of maintenance or wear and tear. Instead, it typically helps pay to repair sudden, accidental damage. That’s one reason why you may want to conduct regular roof inspections. 

Roofs that are over 20 years old often have limited coverage, if any. To ensure approval of your claim, keep records of repairs, before-and-after photos, and reports from inspections. Notify your insurance company promptly when damage occurs.