So your roof has storm damage, and you can’t afford to pay for it. You’re right to be a little worried in this situation; any sort of roofing, if left unattended and broken, can open the door to mold infestations in your home. Panic, though, isn’t necessary—your insurance company just might be able to back you up in this situation.
The keyword here, though, is might. Insurance companies don’t have all the money in the world—nobody does—and if your roof’s damage doesn’t fit neatly into your policy’s coverage, they may very well have their hands tied. While your specific outcomes relate to your specific policy, Perfect Exteriors, your Monticello home exterior contractors of choice, is here with a few rules of thumb when it comes to your roof and its coverage.
Spontaneous Damage Versus Damage Related to Neglect
Any group of roofers worth their salt recommends consistent maintenance, regardless of your roofing’s material. This of course ensures longevity—but it has the added benefit of keeping you covered under many insurance policies.
You see, homeowner’s insurance, the type that a lot of roofing damage pertains to, tends to only cover damage if it’s unpreventable. Insurers tend to believe that you, as a homeowner, should be doing everything you can to keep your investment standing, and this includes regular roofing maintenance.
Sound subjective? It can be—and that’s why insurance companies will send out their own inspector to assess your roofing damage, determine its cause, and thus determine if, under your policy, you’re covered. It’s their opinion that rules in the end, so do everything you can to be a responsible roof owner and you’ll increase the likelihood you’ll get coverage should something unavoidable happen.
Time Might Affect Coverage
There’s more than one reason exterior contractors stress roof replacement ASAP if it needs to be done! The older a roof gets, the less likely you are to even receive coverage in the first place. Again, policy specifics will make a difference in how your particular case is handled—but if your roof is 20 or more years old, you’re likely to experience insurance problems. In fact, your homeowner’s insurance might even be discontinued if your roof “ages out” of it!
Depreciation also plays a role. Year-by-year, your roof most likely will receive less coverage should unavoidable damage occur; this is due to age’s natural wear-and-tear.
Perfect Exteriors: Awesome Residential Roofing Services Near You
No matter if you need a smidgen of storm damage repair or a large-scale roof replacement, we’re always ready to lend a helping hand. Give our Monticello office a call today at 763-271-8700.
