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Roofing · Measure before you file

Damage that might be under the deductible

Not every damaged roof is worth a claim. If the repair is close to or under your deductible, filing gains you nothing and puts a claim on your record.

Quick answerNot every damaged roof is worth a claim. If the repair is close to or under your deductible, filing gains you nothing and puts a claim on your record, which can affect renewal and pricing. Get an honest measurement of the damage, in the form of a written repair estimate, before you call the insurer, not after. You can work through this yourself, no call needed.

The decision is simple arithmetic once you have two numbers: the cost of the repair and your deductible. The hard part is getting the first number honestly.

Two men standing on top of a roof
Get a repair estimate first, then compare it with your deductible. Photo by Compagnons on Unsplash.

This is most common in homes built roughly 1980 to 2000. The polybutylene and aluminum-wiring window, 150 amp panels, R-22 systems and first-cycle architectural shingle.

1Why a small claim can cost you

  • The deductible comes off first. If the repair is under the deductible, the insurer pays nothing.
  • Claims are recorded. A claim can show on your history even when little or nothing was paid.
  • Renewal and pricing. A claims history can affect your renewal terms and premium.
  • Separate wind and hail deductibles. Some policies use a different deductible, sometimes a percentage of the home’s insured value, for wind or hail. Check your declarations page.

2How to decide

  1. Find your deductibleRead the declarations page. Note any separate wind or hail deductible and how it’s calculated.
  2. Document the damageTake dated photos from the ground. Note the storm date.
  3. Get a repair estimate in writingAsk a roofer for an itemized repair price, not a replacement pitch. Two estimates are better than one.
  4. CompareIf the estimate is well above the deductible, a claim may make sense. If it’s close to or under, pay for the repair yourself.
  5. Watch the filing windowIf you might file, do it within your policy’s deadline from the date of loss.
Don’t sign before you decide

Be wary of anyone who wants you to sign a contract or an assignment of benefits before you know whether a claim is worth filing.

3Your options

Pay for the repair

  • The estimate is close to or under the deductible
  • Damage is limited to a few shingles or one area
  • You want to keep your claims history clean

File a claim

  • The estimate is clearly above the deductible
  • Several slopes are damaged by a specific storm
  • You’re still inside the filing window

Ask your agent how your insurer treats a reported loss that results in no payment. Get the answer in writing if it matters to your decision.

4What drives the repair cost

The repair price depends on the number of damaged shingles, whether matching shingle is available, roof pitch and height, and whether flashing or decking needs work. See roofing cost for what to expect and what to skip.

5Questions

Will calling my insurer to ask a question count as a claim?

It can, depending on the insurer. Ask your agent general questions first, and be clear you are not reporting a loss yet.

A contractor says they’ll cover my deductible. Is that OK?

Be very careful. Waiving or covering a deductible is illegal in some states and can amount to insurance fraud. Walk away.

What if more damage shows up later?

Keep your photos and estimate. If damage from the same storm turns out to be larger, you may still be able to file within the window.

Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.