The short answer is “That depends.” Insurance companies will generally pay for a roof if wind or hail has affected it. Let’s look at both.
Hail
When hail hits a shingle, two things can happen: If big enough, it can break the fiberglass backing of a shingle, or if the hail is smaller, it can knock off or loosen the granules. Once the latter happens, a shingle can start to degrade more quickly than normal and warrant replacement. In both cases, insurance will generally pay for the roof if 8 to 10 hail hits per slope are present.
Wind
Wind damage is the easiest form of storm damage to see since sometimes the shingles blow off into the yard or driveway. However, wind damage goes beyond blow-offs. Sometimes wind creates a diagonal-looking pattern on the roof — that’s a sign that the wind has started to separate the seals on the shingles. Seal, or mastic separation, is considered wind damage.
Three additional considerations that can warrant replacement even with minimal damage: the shingles are non-repairable, the shingles are no longer made, or a uniform appearance can’t be achieved.
The biggest myth that homeowners have regarding insurance companies and roof replacement is that their roof is too old for the insurance company to replace it. There is no such thing as a roof that is too old. The age of the roof only increases the likelihood that the roof cannot be repaired, and the shingles are no longer made. These factors almost guarantee roof replacement would be warranted if storm damage is present.
If you’re not sure whether your damage qualifies or you want someone to take a look before you call your insurance company, reach out to Green Country Roofing at (918) 607-7409. We’ll give you an honest answer either way.