If you live in Nebraska, or any other part of the country where wind and hailstorms are common occurrences, you have probably noticed that roofs can play a major role in insurance eligibility and coverage options when it comes to homeowners insurance.
Roof Age Can Make an Impact
If you are in the market for a new home, or simply searching for home insurance options for your existing home, and have an aging roof on the home or detached buildings, you may find yourself hitting an unfortunately strict market.
In Nebraska, many insurers tend to limit or exclude roofs altogether that are older, despite having shingles with 20, 30, and even 40-year guarantees. The reason for this is based on the fact that most roofs only survive a few bad storms before patches or larger portions are damaged, leading to other potential losses like leaks, mold and other perils. And with Nebraska storms occurring every year, it leads to a likely scenario where you may have replaced your roof in the past 10 years, or don’t know that your roof is worn from wear-and-tear or storm damage. You may consider consulting a local roofer to have them give you an estimate to find out if there is any damage, and how much any damage would cost to fix.
Some insurers offer reduced or agreed percentage-based roof coverage options (“Actual Cash Value” or “Roof Schedule”) as well as some offering roof exclusions for homes that are harder to place due to old roof age and aging shingles.
Have you recently installed a new roof on your home? Good news, your premium is likely to reflect this! Many home insurers’ rates and eligibility benefit greatly based on the age of roof, so the newer, generally the better!
Roof Upgrades Can Make an Impact
On top of homes with newer roofs generally having easier and broader acceptance among home insurers, having hail resistant (sometimes called “Impact Resistant”) shingles may also net a hefty discount. Keep in mind, proof of replacement is generally required to qualify for this discount.
Roof Types Can Make an Impact
Some homeowners may face another issue altogether – say they have a new roof but decided to opt for a specific roof type other than the typical asphalt selection. Maybe it’s metal, wood, or another type. Underwriting can vary carrier to carrier, so it’s important to reach out to your insurance agent when considering roof types as different types of roofing can severely impact coverage options and costs.
👋 Talk with an Insurance Professional
Any of these scenarios and more should be discussed with your insurance agent to find out what insurance options you have, and which options you may qualify for. If you are looking for a local, family-owned and operated insurance agency with independent carrier options, send us a message or give us a call. We are happy to explore insurance solutions, including bundles with autos, umbrella, business and more!
Note: The examples and descriptions used throughout this article are for general information purposes only, not legal advice. All scenarios presented are fictional, any similarity is merely coincidental. Coverage is not guaranteed, rather they are subject to the decision of insurance underwriters and other authorities. Policy/coverage availability and limits can vary based on person, location and other variables. Please consult your insurance agent and review your insurance policies to understand your existing coverage and/or potential coverage options. Read our disclaimer.
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