My Roof is Leaking, Will My Insurance Cover it?

Written by admin on October 20, 2017 at 1:00 PM.

Purchasing a home is a massive decision that you need to be fully prepared for. Being a homeowner entails numerous amazing benefits including the making of countless memories but there are, however, many unexpected issues that arise that can be quite costly. It’s an unfortunate fact but a fact nonetheless. If your roof is leaking for example and you want to know whether or not your insurance will cover it, there are several steps you need to take.

First it’s important to understand why your roof is leaking and what caused the problem to better understand whether or not your insurance provider will cover the damages.

Common Issues and examples that are generally covered by standard homeowners insurance:

– Damage stemming from Hail Storms
– A tree branch has fallen and destructed part of the home creating issues that leads to a leak
– Harsh weather conditions such as severe winds

Issues that are commonly excluded from standard policies and wouldn’t be covered:

– Intentional Damage
– Vandalism
– Rust or Corrosion
– Neglect
– Sinholes
– Earthquakes
– Seepage

For a better understanding of what your insurance policy covers and doesn’t cover we recommend you should read your policy extremely meticulously. When roof leaking occurs it’s crucial that you are entirely familiar with everything under the policy you signed.

It’s in your best interest to practice routine roofing maintenance to minimize any possible damage so you don’t have to worry about what is and what isn’t covered. Let’s discuss how to spot a roof leak so in case one happens, you’ll be able to detect it earlier than later saving you headaches and stress you don’t deserve.

How To Spot a Leak?

Shingles and Roof

Your first line of defense against water leaking into your home creating damage are the roof shingles. Things wear out over time. It’s a part of life. Every storm season you should check for broken/damaged shingles or tiles as this is an easy sign to detect early leaks. If you notice any wear-and-tear it’s probably time to replace them.

Ceiling or Roof Stains

It’s important to remember that water can seep through the roof in one area and actually travel to another making it extremely difficult to find the exact point of origin. So search for any sports or dark colored circles on your roof or ceiling to better your chances of pin-pointing where to start.

Investigate the Attic

Since mold lives and grows in moist and damp areas, checking and noticing mold in your attic will make it significantly easier to find any areas of weakness in your roof. You should also check for any problems with insulation as well.

So you’ve discovered the Roof Leak, what now?

DON’T IGNORE IT!

Even a minor leak can cause substantial damage over time. A leaking roof can create many Unexpected Dangers which means you need to attend to issue as soon as possible by taking the following steps:

– Clear any items that could be damaged from the water out the way.
– Place a bucket under the leak to catch and contain as much liquid as possible
– Act quick and try to dry as much as you can by removing as much as water as you can. The faster you act the better chance you’ll have at keeping repair costs to a minimum
– Contact a skilled and professional Roof Leaking Insurance Adjuster to get you the maximum claim you deserve you an efficient and expedited recovery.
– Learn about what is a Public Adjuster and why should you hire one.