Home Insurance Does home insurance cover roof repair? By Barbara Marquand | Posted on August 22, 2012 Why you should trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing honest and reliable information so that you can make the best financial decisions for you and your family. All of our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. We maintain strict editorial independence from insurance companies to maintain editorial integrity, so our recommendations are unbiased and are based on a comprehensive list of criteria. The answer depends on what caused the roof damage. Home insurance does not cover damage due to normal wear and tear. Homeowners bear the financial responsibility to maintain the property, which means replacing old items when they wear out. However, if a peril covered by the home insurance policy damaged the roof, then the insurance company would pay for the repair, minus the deductible. Damage from hail, snow and ice, fallen trees and lightning would be covered, for instance. Contact your insurance agent or company for details and for guidance in filing a claim if the damage is covered. If full roof replacement is in order, ask about home insurance discounts for impact-resistant roofing materials. Some roofing products qualify for discounts because they are less prone than standard shingles to damage from hail, flying debris and wind. Impact-resistant shingles cost more than standard shingles, but with the insurance premium discount, they can pay for themselves in a few years. Shop carefully for roofers. Ask for recommendations from neighbors and friends. Your insurer can likely also provide a list of preferred contractors. Get at least two written estimates. Make sure the contractor is licensed and the contract spells out all the pertinent details, including the scope of work, cost, guarantees, schedule and other expectations, before you hire a roofer. Don’t pay for the job in full or sign a completion statement until the work is finished and an inspection shows it was done properly. For more, see Home insurance basics. In case you missed it What is HO-6 insurance? Average home insurance cost in 2023 What is dwelling coverage and how much do you need? Personal liability insurance: What it is and why you need it Renters insurance quotes: Compare rates Hurricanes and home insurance: 14 key questions answered Replacement cost policies for your home: Getting what you pay for How much do claims increase home insurance rates? Mobile home insurance: What does it cover and how much does it cost? Homeowners insurance basics Home Insurance Advisor The Best Cheap Homeowners Insurance of 2021: Guide How much flood insurance do I need? How to bundle home and auto insurance policies to save money The largest home insurance companies by market share Home Insurance Discounts Guide to dog liability insurance: cost and coverage Do you have an emergency go-bag? Most Americans don’t 1/1 Related Articles What is HO-6 insurance? By Shivani Gite Are landlords responsible for tree damage to your car? By Casey Bond Can my homeowners insurance get canceled because my house is empty? By Nupur Gambhir Does homeowners insurance cover a leaking washing machine? By Laura Longero Home insurance inspection: how to prepare a checklist By Daniel Bortz How renters insurance works for pit bulls By Nupur Gambhir