Roof insurance helps pay for roof damage from things like storms and fires. It might also pay for lost income, cleaning up debris, and other costs associated with fixing or getting a new roof, based on your policy’s terms. In short: roof insurance protects you from having to pay the entire repair bill should it be damaged.
Most large insurance companines offer roof insurance for property owners; however, each company and their policies differ, so be sure to read the fine print; it may be worth getting the opinion of a local insurance broker, because they’re independent from insurance companies and work for you, their client.
Some of the most recognizable names in roofing insurance are State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, USAA, and Liberty Mutual. As mentioned, each of these institutions have different types of coverage and rules, so it’s important to look into and compare different plans before you decide on one.
In most parts of the country, there are local and regional insurance companies that may offer roofing insurance; these regional roof insurance companies may provide different coverage options and rates than the big guys, so it’s important to shop around and make an informed decisioni. Continue reading for a closer look at roof insurance, leading providers, and to get our pro tips for submitting an insurance claim when your roof is damanged.
What is Roof Insurance?
Roof insurance shields people who own homes or buildings from the costs of fixing or replacing a roof from unexpected natural disasters or malicious actors. Read your roofing insurance policy completely, to understand what’s covered and if you have enough coverage. Having an insurance agent or broker explain your coverage is a good idea.
Here’s what you should generally understand about how roof insurance works:
- Helps with quickly fixing or replacing damaged roofs. Roof coverage is usually part of a home or business property insurance plan.
- An insured roof keeps you from having to pay the whole price for roof repairs yourself. If a hailstorm or a tree branch pokes holes in your roof, your insurance company pays the roofing contractor’s fee minus your deductible.
- Roof insurance often covers quick patches to stop leaks and for cleaning up debris. This prevents further, more costly, damage while coordinating with the roofers.
- Understand that roof insurance won’t pay for all types of damage. For example, some policies won’t cover issues caused by floods or earthquakes.
Who Offers Insurance That Covers Roofs?
As you’re well aware, just about all household name insurance companies offer some form of coverage for roofs. Below we explore each of the most notable companies and what we know about how their roof insurance policies work. Keep in mind, you may want to speak with an independent insurance broker for advice, even if it’s a second opinion.
#1 State Farm
State Farm is one of the biggest insurance companies that offers homeowner’s insurance, which includes coverage for roof problems. State Farm pays for fixing or even replacing your roof if it gets damaged by things like fire, strong winds, heavy hail, and even random stuff falling from the sky! State Farm also covers quick fixes to stop your roof from leaking water into your home.
Filing a claim is easy; you can do it online or by calling directly. Plus, State Farm has a list of approved home repair companies who can fix or replace your damaged roof.
#2 Allstate
Allstate is a well-known insurance provider that specializes in homeowner’s insurance and coverage for the cost of fixing your roof. If you have a roof insurance policy, you can get help with fixing your roof due to damage by fire, powerful winds, hail, or other weather-related events. This coverage doesn’t just pay for roof repairs; it can also cover damage to your personal belongings both inside and outside of the house.
However, Allstate , like most of the other insurers listed in this article, won’t cover the cost for damage resulting from poor maintenance or simple aging of your roof. That’s why it’s important to carefully read your insurance policy. Make sure you understand what types of damage are covered and which aren’t, as well as any costs you might have to cover yourself. Above all, maintain your roof!
#3 Farmers
Farmers Insurance offers a homeowner’s insurance plan that has your property covered if something bad happens. If there’s a fire, lightning hits your home, or someone steals from you, these are all standard coverage situations. Farmers can also cover you if someone gets hurt on your property or you accidentally damage someone else’s stuff, as there’s liability coverage that comes with your policy.
But that’s not all! The standard policy from Farmers covers many other problems too, like if something damages your home’s roof. Farmers even has special dwelling coverage to help fix your home, and you guessed it, including the roof. Not to mention, if your home is severely damaged and you can’t stay in your house, Farmers offers additional living expenses coverage to help pay for another place to live in the interim.
#4 USAA
USAA homeowner’s insurance is great because it doesn’t just help with one part of your house. It can help fix your roof, windows, walls, and even floors if they get damaged. If there’s water damage or other clean-up required, the policy can also help pay for cleaning and getting rid of debris. USAA insurance doesn’t stop at your house, either. It can also help you pay for fixing or replacing your personal stuff like furniture, jewelry, gadgets, and believe it or not, even food that got destroyed.
If you’re going through major repairs and can’t stay in your house, USAA can help pay for meals and a place to stay. To get all these benefits, you have to file a claim with USAA for your property’s damage and, upon approval, then they pay for the covered losses minus your deductible. After that, you can get started on fixing or replacing what’s broken.
#5 Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual has homeowners insurance that’s really handy if something bad happens to your home or belongings, like a robbery, fire, or big storm. As with all insurers, your premium varies on a number of factors, like where you live, your home’s materials, what you own, and your credit score can affect the price.
Liberty Mutual insurance covers a lot—your home, its roof, your belongings, and even other structures on your property. So, if you have a fire, water damage, or a monsoon just wrecked havoc, you’re covered. If the damage is so bad that you can’t stay in your home, this policy can pay for a temporary place and medical bills should an injury have been incurred. You can also add hazard insurance for extra protection against major events. When you make a claim, a Liberty Mutual adjuster checks the damage. Then, the company pays for repairs, but you’ll pay a deductible first.
What Are Some Tips for Submitting a Roof Claim?
Here is some friendly advice from your local roofer to help you submit a successful roof claim:
- Record the damage to your roof right after it happens. Take a bunch of photos and several videos from different angles. Be sure to keep this footage handy as it may aid your claim.
- After taking pictures and video of the damage to your property, give your insurance company a call and complete the claim submission process. Include any and all damage details and documentation you have.
- Arrange an inspection for the damage to be evaluated. Your insurance provider will send out an adjuster to evaluate your roof’s damage. Be sure to ask for the inspector’s name and contact information and be present during the inspection.
- Double-check your insurance policy before filing a claim to ensure you fully understand your coverage and deductibles (your out-of-pocket expense). This helps prepare you for what to expect throughout the process.
- Only work with a licensed, experienced, and reliable roofer. Avoid contractors who show up uninvited and always check the company’s track record. Start by making sure they’re registered with your local corporation commission, check their licensing status, and read recent online reviews written about them – the good and the bad.
- Like with any home improvement project, you should get multiple estimates before choosing a roof contractor. This way you know you’re getting a fair pricing and you better understand the entire scope of the project (as you hear it explained from multiple sources). Never choose a contractor based on pricing alone.
- Save all of your emails, letters you receive, and phone calls you have with your insurance company regarding your claim. This prevents mistakes and provides evidence in the case of conflicts.
- Throughout the repair project, check-in on your roofing contractor to make sure stages are met and work is completed in a timely manner. Follow-up with your insurance company as well, to make sure the claim is processed properly and fully completed.
In Summary
We covered a lot in this article about roof insurance, which, if you haven’t gathered by now, is super important for all property owners. Roof insurance helps you pay for repairs or replacing your roof if it gets damaged by mother nature or your overachieving teenage neighbor. It can also cover other costs like cleaning up damaged materials, replacing broken personal items, and redecorating. Your insurance likely also pays for a place to stay if your home is too damaged.
We also discussed different companies that offer roof insurance, should you be in the market. Some big names in the business are State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, USAA, and Liberty Mutual. Each company has its own rules and types of coverage, so it’s a good idea to compare their differing plans before you pick one. There are also smaller, local insurance providers that might have different options or rates.
Finally, we hope our tips on how to make a successful insurance claim come of use to you. Taking lots of pictures of the damage, choosing the right contractor to fix your roof, and following-up will make sure your repair project goes smoothly.
