Claims guide
Roof insurance claims, line by line.
The roof is the single most claimed-on part of a home. It's also where carriers have quietly rewritten the most language in the last decade. Here's what to read before you file.
Three lines that decide your payout
- Roof settlement type (RCV vs ACV). Replacement cost pays new-for-old. ACV depreciates the roof by age. On a 15-year-old roof, that's often the difference between a full replacement and a partial-pay.
- Wind/hail deductible. If it's a percentage (1%–5%) instead of a flat dollar amount, the math changes. A 2% deductible on a $400k home is $8,000 — applied per storm.
- Cosmetic damage exclusion. Some carriers now exclude "cosmetic" hail damage to metal roofs. Functional damage still pays, but expect a fight on the definition.
The ACV switch nobody told homeowners about
Between 2018 and 2024, many major carriers added ACV-roof endorsements to renewal policies in CO, TX, OK, NE, KS, and other hail-belt states. The dec page changed, the premium often didn't. If you haven't re-read your dec page since 2020, you may be on ACV now without knowing.
What carriers actually inspect for
- Bruising on shingles (hail) — measurable size, fresh exposure of mat
- Lifted or missing shingles in a directional pattern (wind)
- Soft-metal damage on vents, flashing, gutters (hail size proxy)
- Pre-existing wear, granule loss, repairs — used to argue against coverage
- Code upgrades required by current local rules — paid via ordinance & law coverage
Always get an independent contractor inspection BEFORE the carrier's adjuster comes out. A second opinion often changes the conversation by a $5k–$20k margin.
Run the ACV vs RCV math on your roof
Our calculator shows what a roof claim actually pays on your policy — by age, by settlement type, by deductible.
Open the calculatorFrequently asked
Does homeowners insurance cover a roof replacement?
Yes, if the damage was caused by a covered peril (wind, hail, falling tree, fire). It will not pay for wear-and-tear, age-related deterioration, or poor maintenance. The payout amount depends entirely on whether you're on RCV (replacement cost) or ACV (depreciated) — the difference is often $10,000+.
How do I know if my roof is on ACV or RCV?
Check your declarations page for any endorsement that mentions roof, wind/hail, or settlement type. Common names: 'Roof Surface Payment Schedule', 'Cosmetic Roof Damage Exclusion', 'ACV Roof Endorsement'. If you see any of these, you're probably on ACV after a certain roof age (usually 10–15 years).
What's the difference in payout between RCV and ACV on a roof?
On a 15-year-old roof with a $15,000 replacement cost, RCV pays the full $15,000 minus your deductible. ACV pays the depreciated value — often 30–50% of replacement cost — so you might net $4,500–$7,500 instead. Same damage, very different check.
Should I file a roof claim?
Run the math first: Is the damage clearly above your deductible (especially the wind/hail percentage deductible if you have one)? Is the roof less than 10 years old? Does your policy still pay RCV? If all three are yes, filing usually makes sense. Otherwise, get a contractor estimate first.
Will filing a roof claim raise my rates?
Possibly. Most carriers don't surcharge a single weather-related claim, but two within 3–5 years often triggers a renewal non-renewal or significant rate increase. Cat (catastrophic) losses are typically less heavily penalized than non-cat.