Mistake on description of roof

When I bought my house (personal, not a rental), I told the agent who arranged the insurance policy that it had a hipped roof. Unfortunately, I realized later that it technically it is not hipped--it is hipped on three sides but has a gable in the back. It was an honest mistake, but now I'm not sure if I should go back to tell my agent now about it so that they can change the policy, or just leave it alone. I'm concerned that they could try to drop me for making a "false" statement originally. (although I've never made a claim on the roof). Does anyone know what I should do now? Thanks.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 12:57PM

J Scott

Real Estate Investor · Atlanta, Georgia

Donor Pro

6,628 posts
13 awards
94 influence

May 26 '10, 03:51 AM

While I obviously can't promise anything, I can't fathom that the insurance company would change your premiums based on the fact that you told them the roof was hipped but actually has one gable...

That said, I also wouldn't wait until you had a claim before notifying them. Just give your agent a call, and let him know that you just realized it and wanted to change the policy description.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 12:57PM

J Scott, Lish Properties, LLC
Telephone: 770-906-6358
Website: http://www.123flip.com
http://www.123flip.com

Frank Adams

· Loveland, CO

1,170 posts
4 awards
50 influence

May 26 '10, 05:56 AM

The insurance company needs the MATERIAL of the roof, not the design. A "HIP" roof is no more likely to burn than a gable or shed roof. But a "comp" roof burns (and blows away) much faster than a "tile" roof does.

Frank

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 12:57PM

Bill Gulley

Real Estate Investor · Springfield, Missouri

5,643 posts
13 awards
100 influence

May 26 '10, 07:28 AM

Yep Frank! It's a cost of replacement thing.....is it more hip than gable....and you aren't held to the standard of an expert to tell them design features! They will be taking pictures of it anyway. I suggest you take pictures too! Good luck, Bill

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 12:57PM

Bryan A.

Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, North Carolina

Donor

1,830 posts
17 awards
62 influence

May 26 '10, 08:18 AM

agents usually come out to look anyways, and they usually take pics as bill said

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 12:57PM

Kyle King

Real Estate Investor · Dallas, Texas

149 posts
5 awards
50 influence

May 26 '10, 08:21 AM

Call insurance co and change it.

In the world of ROOF costs...not much difference in HIP or GABLE. Frank is correct, it is about the Materials.

To be safe, you should call it in.

Good luck.

Kyle

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 12:57PM

Bienes Raices

· Orlando, Florida

2,033 posts
9 awards
62 influence

May 26 '10, 08:49 AM

Thanks for the responses. I think it is a hurricane issue--hipped is supposed to be safer than other types. If there's a gable there's a better chance that the wind could get under the eaves and blow part of the roof off. I'm going to call them and tell them tomorrow. Hurricane season begins in five days, I don't want to have issues on the off chance that I have to make a roof claim.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 12:57PM by Bienes Raices

Bienes Raices

· Orlando, Florida

2,033 posts
9 awards
62 influence

May 27 '10, 02:56 AM

I found out it's a non-issue--they did a google earth view of the house at teh time the policy was written, and it qualifies.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 12:58PM

Mike Haynes

Real Estate Investor · Verona, Missouri

32 posts
1 award
50 influence

May 29 '10, 10:01 PM

What a deal. Google earth view. Sure hope our building inspector joke guy doesn't learn how to use this feature. He would spend 16 hours a day looking at places just to see if he can write a ticket. Gotta get them quotas.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:00PM

Tim W.

Real Estate Investor · Indiana, Indiana

Donor

4,333 posts
13 awards
57 influence

Jun 11 '10, 04:20 AM

Hey Bienes,
Just saw this thread. The only thing it would impact is the debris factor on shingles if you had a claim for a roof replacement.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:11PM by Tim W.

Bienes Raices

· Orlando, Florida

2,033 posts
9 awards
62 influence

Jun 11 '10, 06:40 AM

Thanks Tim. My agent told me as long as it's at least 50% hipped they will categorize it as hipped for the insurance discount.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:11PM

Tim W.

Real Estate Investor · Indiana, Indiana

Donor

4,333 posts
13 awards
57 influence

Jun 11 '10, 10:12 AM

Originally posted by Bienes Raices

Thanks Tim. My agent told me as long as it's at least 50% hipped they will categorize it as hipped for the insurance discount.

Interesting. I wonder if you could get it for dutch drop gables too....

Make sure you have enough venting, especially on the hip side. Hip roof venting is dependent on the eaves having a free flow of air. Without it your attic will overheat and deteriorate your roofing material and encourage mold growth (as will the lack of air movement). These kinds of damages are typically not covered by insurance.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:11PM by Tim W.