How to get insurance to pay for a roof replacement: A guide

When your roof is damaged, you want to get it fixed as soon as possible — after all, your home’s roof is literally the shield that physically protects everything you own. A new roof can cost thousands of dollars, but if the damage is covered by your homeowners insurance policy, all you have to worry about is paying the deductible. 

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We’ll help you understand your policy details and, if you’re eligible, how to get your home insurance to pay for a new roof replacement.

How to get insurance to pay for roof replacement

It’s important to know that homeowners insurance doesn’t automatically cover all roof damage. If you’ll be filing a claim, it’ll generally be on you to understand the terms of your insurance contract, provide evidence that your claim should be covered, and then get the repair work done. 

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This can often be a hassle — especially if you’re already in a stressful situation — so let’s break it down step-by-step.

Document the damage

Think of your roof damage as a crime scene that you need to document in case you need to pursue legal avenues later. If it’s safe to do so, take lots of pictures showing what happened and how your roof is damaged. It’s best to do this before you move anything, but if you’re in the middle of a storm that’s pouring buckets of water into your home, for example, it’s fine to take steps to mitigate further damage. 

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Next, take notes: when did the damage happen, and how? Is there anything else damaged inside the home? If so, take note of each damaged item so that you can prepare an inventory of damaged belongings to submit to your insurer later. 

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Finally, keep in mind that most homeowners insurance policies offer coverage for Additional Living Expenses (ALE) if you need to live somewhere else temporarily because your home is unsafe or under repair. Keep all receipts for things you need during this time, like hotel stays, restaurant meals, clothes, and toiletries, because you’ll typically need to submit them for reimbursement later.  

Contact your insurance company

Now is a good time to review your home insurance policy, paying careful attention to the following items:

• Deductibles: How much you have to pay out-of-pocket before your coverage kicks in.
• Coverage limits: How much your insurance company pays out.
• Special clauses: Rules that may apply in certain cases, such as hailstorms and wind damage.
• Covered events: The types of accidents that your insurance will cover damage from (and which ones it won’t). 

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Insurance companies typically won’t cover the cost of replacing your roof due to normal maintenance, for example, but if a storm rolls through and a tree falls on your house, they generally will. In fact, storm damage is so common in some areas of the country that many insurers require a separate deductible for windstorm damage or roof repairs before your coverage kicks in. 

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If you’re not sure how your policy works for your current situation, you can always call the company and ask before deciding whether to file a roof insurance claim or not. Once you do file a claim, however, it’ll be listed on your claims record, which insurers consult when setting your rates. You’ll want to be confident that it’s covered before doing this in case your rates increase later.

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If the damage is covered and you feel confident in proceeding, reach out to your insurer to begin the claims process. 

Get a roof repair estimate

Part of documenting your damage is getting information on the cost to repair it, so it’s also a good idea to get an estimate of how much it’ll cost to repair your roof. This can also help you decide whether filing a claim is worth it. 

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Reach out to at least three licensed and reputable roofing companies, if you can, to get detailed estimates of the repair costs. If the roofing contractors write estimates with line-by-line details like the proposed materials, it’ll help speed up your claim processing even more. Many insurance companies partner with local roofing companies, and it can be beneficial to approach these contractors for quotes first. Try to avoid “storm chasers” if you can — i.e., often-unscrupulous contractors that follow major weather events in search of homes with fallen trees and other damage in need of repair.

Meet with the insurance adjuster

Most insurance companies will send out a claims adjuster who will verify and assess the damage to your home. It’s a good idea to attend this visit so that you can ask them questions and answer any questions that they might have, too. You can also show them the documentation you’ve collected to support your case, such as the photos and repair estimates. 

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Make sure to take careful notes during the visit because chances are you’ll use this information later in the claims process. Don’t sign anything until you’ve had time to read and review it. 

Receive your settlement

If your insurance claim is approved, your insurance company will let you know your payout amount. You’ll usually receive your settlement in several different checks at various times. For example, you might receive a small payment when the insurance adjuster comes out as an advance against your final settlement amount. 

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If you’re paying off a mortgage on your home, you may also have to communicate with your lender about the payout amount. Insurers generally write checks out to you and your mortgage lender. Some mortgage lenders will take possession of the funds and release them directly to the contractor when they require payment, or after the lender has done a roof inspection to ensure quality work. Other mortgage lenders will pay the contractors directly; it’s up to you to clarify how it works and what your responsibilities are. 

Alternative ways to pay for a roof replacement

If the damage isn’t covered by insurance, here are a few other options to pay for your roof:

• HELOC: A flexible line of credit secured by your home that you can draw against for many years, requiring only interest-only payments until you shift to repaying the rest of the debt later. 
• Personal loan: An unsecured loan that’s relatively fast and affordable to get but may charge slightly higher rates. 
• Home equity loan: A fixed-rate loan made against your home to pay for large, one-time expenses. 
• Home equity investment: An investment in the future value of your home, which you repay in 30 years along with a share of your home’s appreciated value. There are no monthly payments, and you may qualify with a credit score above 500. 

Frequently asked questions

Can your insurance claim for roof replacement be denied?

Yes. Insurers will only cover damage according to the terms of the contract that you signed when you bought your policy, which generally doesn’t cover things like routine maintenance or damage from earthquakes. 

How long does it take for an insurance claim to be processed?

The extent of the repair work needed determines how long it takes to process your claim. It can take up to two years to fully process an insurance claim if the home needs to be rebuilt entirely, for example, but just replacing the roof on a home shouldn’t take quite as long.

Does homeowners insurance cover leaks?

If the drip is coming from maintenance neglect, such as not fixing an old leaky roof when it rains, it’s generally not covered by home insurance. However, if your roof is leaking due to rainstorms or burst pipes, and you’ve kept up with regular maintenance, it may be covered by your insurer. 

Final thoughts

Getting homeowners insurance to pay for a roof replacement can take a lot of work in some cases, but it’s worth it. You paid for the coverage, so you’re entitled to the benefits within the terms of your contract. 

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If you’re not happy with your insurance company’s response, you can consider hiring a public claims adjuster who will reassess the damage and negotiate on your behalf. They can be expensive, however, charging a percentage of the extra money they recover. You can also consider filing a complaint with your state’s insurance department. 

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If all else fails, there are many different ways to borrow the funds or get home repair grants to pay for a full roof replacement yourself. 

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