Summary: Summary: Homeowners insurance covers roof replacement when damage comes from a covered peril like hail, wind, or falling trees, minus your deductible. It never covers replacement for age or wear and tear. Older roofs often settle at actual cash value (depreciated) instead of full replacement cost, and wind/hail deductibles of 1 to 2 percent of dwelling coverage are common. File promptly, document everything, and get a contractor's inspection before the adjuster arrives.
A standard HO-3 homeowners policy covers sudden, accidental damage from named perils: hail, windstorms, fallen trees, fire, and vandalism. If a hailstorm shreds your shingles or wind rips off a section, that is a covered loss and the insurer owes repair or replacement minus your deductible. The key word is sudden: the damage must trace to an event, not to years of sun and rain.
What is never covered: an old roof that simply wore out. Granule loss, curling, and bald shingles from 20 years of UV exposure are maintenance, and insurers explicitly exclude wear and tear. This is the most common reason roof claims are denied, and it is also why insurers inspect roofs at policy renewal: a 25-year-old shingle roof is a claim waiting to happen, and many carriers now decline to renew until it is replaced.
Two settlement types decide how much you actually receive. Replacement cost value (RCV) pays what a new roof costs today. Actual cash value (ACV) pays replacement cost minus depreciation for the roof's age. A 15-year-old shingle roof with a 25-year life is 60 percent depreciated: on a $15,000 roof, ACV pays about $6,000 minus your deductible, while RCV pays the full $15,000 minus deductible.
Many policies pay RCV for roofs under 10 to 15 years old and switch to ACV after that, either by endorsement or at renewal. Some insurers now write all roofs over 15 years as ACV-only. Check your declarations page for the words replacement cost and any roof depreciation schedule endorsement. This single clause can be worth $8,000 on a claim, and most homeowners have never read it.
Roof claims usually fall under your wind/hail deductible, not your standard deductible, and wind/hail deductibles are often 1 to 2 percent of your dwelling coverage. On a $350,000 dwelling limit, a 2 percent wind deductible is $7,000 out of pocket before insurance pays a dollar. In hurricane states, separate hurricane deductibles apply per storm season.
Do the math before filing: a $9,000 repair with a $7,000 wind deductible nets you $2,000 from insurance but puts a claim on your record, which can raise premiums for years. Small roof claims are often bad economics. Save claims for losses well above your deductible, and never let a contractor talk you into filing a claim for normal wear by calling it storm damage: that is insurance fraud.
Start with documentation, not a phone call. Photograph damage from the ground and, if safe, the roof; note the storm date; save weather reports. Get a licensed roofer to inspect and write up the damage with photos: their report is your evidence, and many roofers do this free hoping for the job. Then file the claim promptly; policies require timely notice.
The adjuster inspects, often with your contractor present (insist on this: contractors speak the same language and catch missed damage). If approved, you typically receive an initial ACV check, then the recoverable depreciation after the work is done and invoiced, which is how RCV policies pay in two steps. If denied, ask for the denial in writing with the policy language cited, and consider a second contractor opinion or a public adjuster for large losses.
The cheapest roof claim is the one you never need because your coverage was right. Confirm you have replacement cost on the roof, know your wind/hail deductible in dollars, and ask about Class 4 impact-resistant shingle discounts if you re-roof: many carriers cut premiums 5 to 15 percent in hail zones. Keep trees trimmed back from the roof and gutters clean; insurers can deny claims where neglect contributed.
After any major storm, inspect even if you see nothing from the ground: hail damage to shingles is often invisible from the yard but obvious to a roofer on the roof. Most policies give you one to two years to file after the damage date, but sooner is always stronger. And if your roof is approaching 20 years, budget for replacement on your own dime: insurance will not be your roof fund.
Data current as of October 2026. Sources: Angi, HomeGuide, and contractor pricing data. Estimates only, not a quote. Always get multiple written quotes from licensed local roofers.