There are even some companies that won’t write your home insurance unless your roof has been updated in the past 15 years.
With our area getting hit so hard by weather events over the past few years (see below), a lot of companies have started looking at the age of your roof. We have seen some companies exclude coverage depending on the age of your roof. We have seen other companies change your policy from replacement cost on your roof to actual cash value, which means they would pay less. Then there are some homeowners’ insurance companies that are increasing your deductible for wind & hail damage.
With all these changes, it is very important that your agent be made aware of the age of your roof. Please keep all documents related to your roof, that includes the type of roof installed, receipts, and canceled checks. Provide a copy of this to your agent to make sure that you are given credit for the maintenance that you have provided your home.
The reason is simple: roofs have a life expectancy. When you buy your shingles, they come with a 10-35 year warranty. That is how long they are expected to last. Unlike your siding or other parts of your house, roofs fail faster and require more maintenance. Roofs wear out. Plain and simple. Just like tires on your vehicle. They are designed to be replaced after so long, which is considered routine maintenance. Because of that when you have a claim that involves your roof or even the tires on your vehicle, the companies will want to know their age.
Some notable weather events for Henderson County Kentucky (KY) over the past five years:
Jan 29, 2008 – High Wind & Hail
Sept 14, 2008 – Hurricane Ike – High Wind
Jan 27, 2009 – Ice Storm
Feb 11, 2009 – High Wind
March 28, 2009 – Tornado Corydon area & Hail
April 10, 2009 – High Wind & Hail
May 8, 2009 – High Wind & Hail
June 10 & 11, 2009 – High Wind & Hail
April 30, 2010 through May 3, 2010 – High Wind
April 3-4, 2011 – High Wind & Hail
April 22, 2011 – Tornado Poole area & Hail
May 25, 2011 – High Wind
Feb 29, 2012 – High Wind & Hail
March 2, 2012 – High Wind & Hail, possible Tornado
April 26, 2012 – High Wind & Hail
Jan 11-12, 2013 – Strong Storms
Have you had a claim associated with the weather?
Has your company changed the coverage or deductible on your roof?
Do you understand wind & hail deductibles, how it applies to your homeowners’ policy? Read the information from the Kentucky Department of Insurance on the issue.
You can let us know here about any updates you have recently made to you home.