When we think about our home, we think of a place to kick back, relax, and have fun. What we don’t think about is the damage that happens when the roof leaks. However, roof leaks are a part of life, and it’s essential to know whether you’re covered by your homeowner’s insurance or not when they occur.
In this article, we look at roof leaks and how your insurance deals with them.
Are Roof Leaks Covered?
According to roofing contractors in Garland, the standard homeowner’s policy covers most of the causes of roof leaks and damages caused by leaks once your policy limit is exhausted. Most policies are written on an ‘open-peril’ basis, which means the coverage kicks in for loss not defined in the section that lists exclusions. For example, if you live in an area of the country that sees high winds and storms, your policy would cover a hole in your roof because of Mother Nature.
However, there are some causes of loss that are usually excluded from your homeowner’s insurance, which include:
- Moving earth, such as earthquakes, sinkholes, and landslides
- Corrosion
- Neglect or intentional damage
- Water damage from flood or backed up sewers
- Ordinance or law that calls for demolition or other action to bring your home up to code
- Power failure
- War
- Government action
As an example, if your shingles become loose or fall off because of an earthquake, your insurance won’t cover the damage, and you’ll be responsible for the repairs out of your pocket. The good news is if you do need this coverage, you can get an individual policy written for that likelihood.
It’s a good idea to set aside an hour and carefully go through your policy to understand what is and isn’t covered and be sure to talk with your agent if you think you need something more.
What About Mold?
Should your roof leak come about because of mold, whether it’s covered is much more tricky. Coverage will kick in if the mold came about because of a covered hazard or what caused the mold to grow. If mold came about because of a broken pipe, your damage would be covered if it’s listed as a named hazard in your policy. Finding the cause of the mold is tough, which is why you should contact your insurance company at first sight of mold.
Wear & Tear
Wear and tear are natural as your roof grows older, however, if you’ve neglected your roof, your policy probably won’t cover the damage, which is why it’s essential you perform regular maintenance such as cleaning your gutters and repairing loose and broken shingles.
Also, make sure you perform regular inspections to look for roof leaks so you can identify them quickly before they become significant problems.
Filing A Claim
File a claim as soon as you find the leak and need repairs. Also, keep in mind your deductible because sometimes you’re better off not filing and fixing the damage out of pocket.
If you are located in the Rochester or Finger Lakes region of New York, you’ll find roofing professionals and insurance agents that can help with your questions at www.FindTheHomePros.com.
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