Roof insurance, in plain language

What your policy actually covers

Coverage, policy terms, roof age, premiums and commercial cover. General information, not advice, and never a claim we handle for you.

What this site is for

Sudden damage is covered, wear is not

Almost every denial turns on that one distinction, and almost every policy defines it differently.

Actual cash value is the trap

Replacement cost value pays for a new roof. Actual cash value pays for your old one, depreciated, and the gap is yours.

Roof age changes everything

Past a certain age many carriers move you to actual cash value, raise the deductible, or decline to renew at all.

RCV vs ACVThe single term that decides how much of a roof you get paid for
1–5%Typical wind and hail deductible, as a share of insured value
20 yrsAge at which many carriers change roof terms or decline cover
NeverHow often wear and tear is covered, in any policy

About this reference

We explain policies. We do not handle claims


Filing, negotiating or settling a claim on your behalf is public adjuster work and it requires a licence. We do not do it and we do not refer you to anyone who pays us.

What we can do is explain the words in your policy before you need them.

Your policy and your state's rules decide your situation. Nothing here is legal, financial or insurance advice.

Read our methodology

The pillars

Where to start

Read your policy in ten minutes

The six clauses that decide a roof claim, where to find each one, and what the wording means.

Open it
  • Valuation: RCV or ACV
  • Wind and hail deductible
  • Roof surfacing endorsement
  • Ordinance and law
  • Cosmetic damage exclusion
  • Notice and reporting deadlines