Leaking roof - insurance claim?

Question

Our roof is beginning to leak on a house we purchased just a year ago. Looks like there's no flashing along the side and also needs some areas to be re-shingled. Is this something I can/should claim through homeowners or just pay a contractor/handyman to complete?

Daniel Baker · Answer

If the roof is leaking due to poor maintenance your insurance company won't cover it, or if the roof is simply getting old.  A good rule of thumb to remember with insurance claims is sudden and accidental,  such as a tree falling on it, or wind damage, if it is something that happens over time your insurance carrier will probably deny the claim.  There is another thing to keep in mind when filing an insurance claim, even if you call, file a claim and get the claim denied the carrier now has you on their radar and there is a good chance that they will be writing up a risk assessment on said property and don't be surprised that come renewal time you are either canceled or your rates increase.

Samantha Klein · Answer

I would just fix it yourself. Why file a claim on something so small that could make your premiums go up? I would only file a claim for something large.

Jim Ziccarelli · Answer

After hearing everything I've talked to my insurance agent and they wouldn't cover it due it not resulting from any evident damage. Luckily, I've found a roofer to do it at a great price that i'll easily use for any and all of my roofing needs. Thank you everyone for all the help on this one! Greatly appreciated and for my first post in Bigger Pockets, very happy for all the experienced help. I want to learn to be the best owner/property manager I can be and able to sustain my living off of our investments! Thanks again!

Jason Bott · Answer

@Jim Ziccarelli the only place you will be able to find coverage is through the roofer insurance policy.

As @Daniel Baker states, their needs to be a sudden occurrence to trigger your insurance policy to cover a claim.  Slow deterioration or lack of maintenance is not covered.

Josue Vargas · Answer

@Jim Ziccarelli

Have you checked your insurance policy to see how much deductible you will pay "out-of-pocket" before any reimbursement made by the insurance company (assuming they will cover the work expense)?  Also, because this is not related to "major force", such as hail storm, hurricanes, and the like, your insurance policy may be increased because of this claim.  Many contractors are very familiar with insurance policies and what not.  It will make no harm to call one licensed contractor to give you a quote and then learn from them.  Call more than one, compare quotes, thought if its going through insurance, from my experience, they will likely say "no negotiation because insurance is involve".  I always try to keep the best value for money I can.

Jeff Bridges · Answer

When you are shopping for insurance and your agent asks you if you had had any claims in the last x years, you ideally want to be saying no as prior claims increases your premiums. Insurance should come through for you when you have catastrophic multi-thousand dollar damage. Your roof is telling you that it needs maintenance or replacement. You can make repairs now for $$$ instead of $$$$ in repairs plus damage later on.... also FYI roof are high risk repairs so I'd advise you shop for licensed/insured roofers and get proof of insurance prior to starting work. You don't want a handyman to get injured falling off your roof and then come after you for medical bills because they didnt carry the proper workers comp/ liability insurance at the time. also protects you if they do a bad job and you have recourse with their insurance company if they damage your house or make the leak worse....

Patrick Liska · Answer

Unless your replacing the whole roof, i wouldn't even bother going to the insurance co. Even if you were replacing the roof, the insurance co. will probably pro rate the roof and only give you what the depreciated value would be. Insurance claims are best left if it was newer work and some damaging effect happened ( tree falls on it, hail damage, etc.). i would just get your handyman out there, repair it and claim the repair on your taxes next year.

Kurt K. · Answer

I would hire a referred roofer and get an estimate and not contact your insurance company unless it was hailed on or a tree fell on it. As @Randall Brown said there could be a warranty on the roof so I would check into that. I wouldn't recommend a handyman to fix it but a pro roofer. When it comes to roofs, you want it fixed right and not just a cheap patch job. Good luck.

Shannon Slade · Answer

How old is the roof?  Estimate age?  How many shingle tabs missing?  Missing flashing can be tricky to replace and make water tight if you are not experienced. (YOUTUBE a roof repair)  Age of the roof, percentage of shingles missing and do I have a ACV/RCv policy will determine if I call the Insurance man.  If you are handy and can save some money over your deductible, I would just do it myself.  Just got done doing this myself on a duplex.

The other thing you need to think about is how much damage the leak is causing in your attic and Sheetrock on the inside of the home.  Your insurance man will pay for this as well.

Leaking roof - insurance claim?

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