You don’t have to live in Florida for long to realize that the threat of hurricanes is real for Florida residents. In fact, Florida has the highest hurricane risk with the most number of hurricanes annually, according to many sources, including the National Hurricane Center. As a Florida homeowner, this likely leaves you a little uneasy.
Many Floridians who own property wonder whether insurance covers roof damage related to hurricanes. Hurricane roof damage can leave your home further exposed to the elements, leading to more problems, including water damage that could increase the cost of your roof repair.
The truth is, many insurance companies pay close attention to the structure of the home’s roof when determining homeowners insurance policies. It is important that the roofing structure of your home be strong. Some Florida insurance companies won’t grant homeowners insurance to customers with roofs that are outdated (often over 20 years old), so its important to work with a roofing contractor that is familiar with the process!
What do Florida Homeowners Insurance Policies Cover Regarding Hurricanes?
Although each insurance company speaks for itself, as a general rule, most homeowners insurance companies cover roof damage that is caused by fire, vandalism and storm damage, including hurricanes and other storms. Wind damage from hurricanes is often covered by homeowners insurance policies (although we always recommend checking with your current or prospective insurance provider to be certain).
The majority of hurricane damage caused to roofing structures is done by the telltale strong winds associated with such storms, but other factors can also play into hurricane storm damage. Strong winds can carry heavy branches and rocks that can also damage your home. Fortunately, this type of damage is also covered by most policies, as well as any water damage done to your roof or home due to storm damage to your roof.
Things do get a little sticky sometimes though. If there is flooding to your area due to the hurricane, water damage is not covered. You may be able to pay an additional deductible to ensure that your water damage is taken care of by insurance, but you need to refer to your insurance provider and policy documents to ensure whether this applies to you.
Are Leaky Roofs Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
It is not uncommon for homeowners to experience roofing leaks after a hurricane strikes. Leaks can lead to significant water damage within your home – especially if they are not taken care of right away.
If your water damage and leaks are caused by a hurricane and there is no evidence of pre-existing roofing problems prior to the storm, your insurance company should pick up the claim. But if your home had leaks before the hurricane, the pre-existing leaks will not be covered. Because of this, it is important to ensure that your roof is in good condition and is free of leaks.
Regular roof maintenance from professional roofing companies can help to reduce your risk of having to pay out of pocket for hurricane related storm damage repairs in Florida. Regular roofing maintenance and repairs should be addressed quickly to ensure that damage is minimal and repairs are less costly. By putting off any form of damage to your roof for a prolonged period of time, it is sure to cost you more money and headache in the long run.
What about Cosmetic Damage to your roof?
Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover cosmetic damage after a hurricane – only damage that affects the integrity of your roofing structure and home as a whole.
If your roof is over 20 years of age and you live anywhere in Florida, where hurricane related storm damage to your roof is highly possible, it is probably time to replace it with a storm proofed roof to ensure your home is safe and your deductibles are lower for your homeowners insurance policy. Reach out to the professionals at All Area Roofing, who you can trust with your roofing needs.
The homeowners were ready to have a new roof installed. Their existing roof was in need of replacement as it was nearing 20 years old. A friend of theirs had worked with us in the past and recommended they give us a call. They liked their existing asphalt shingle roof but were interested in learning more about metal roofs and asked us to come by for a consultation.
