Few people know the full details of their homeowner’s insurance policy. So, when you find damage on your roof after a storm, you may wonder if insurance will cover roof damage from wind. The good news is that in most cases, yes, your policy likely will cover the damage. Some policies do have wind exclusions, but they are rare. However, there are a few things you should know about the claims process and wind damage, including some exceptions where your insurance company may deny your claim.
Is It Wind Damage?
The first thing you will want to do is discover if this damage is wind damage.If there was a recent bout of high winds during a rainstorm, the damage should be considered wind damage. If, however, the wind was part of a hurricane or tornado, your basic wind damage clause may not be enough. You may need to look at your policy rules for hurricanes and tornados.
The following damages might have been caused by the wind:
- Missing shingles: Shingles may have been ripped off the roof. Check the edges of the roof and the ridgeline, as these shingles are most affected by wind.
- Broken seal: The wind can break the sealant on the shingles without actually removing them from the roof. This is a large risk for leaks.
- Missing gutters: Severe winds may rip gutters off the edge of your roof.
- Missing flashing: Old or warped flashing may be blown off the roof by the wind.
If the wind has knocked over a tree on your property and that tree has hit your roof, it may still be covered by your insurance, but it is typically considered tree damage, not wind damage.
The Claim Process
Once you understand the nature of the damage to your roof, you’re in a better position to make a claim with your insurance company. Once you start the claim process, your carrier should send out an insurance adjuster to do an inspection of the roof. Here, they may determine that some or all of your damage is not covered by the policy. In this case, you can refute the claim. When you do, it’s best to have a second opinion from
Your Deductible
If your claim is accepted, you may still have to pay a deductible, or two, to begin the repairs process. However, you may be surprised about the amount of your deductible. You may have to pay the basic deductible on your policy, plus there may be an additional deductible specifically for wind damage, hurricane damage, or tornado damage.
Your Claim Amount
Depending on the type of homeowner’s insurance you have and the age of your roof, your claim amount may be more or less than you were expecting. While you may be expecting the replacement cost value or the cost to replace the roof materials you’re missing, you may get the actual cash value. Typically, when insuring older or damaged roofs, insurance companies offer policies that only cover you for the cash value of the shingles, which can be significantly lower than your replacement cost.
The insurance company may not be on your side, but your roofer should be. If you have any questions about the condition of your roof, reach out to your roofer.