What Impact Does Your Roof Have on Your Insurance Rates?
Paying for homeowners insurance is a necessary evil when it comes to owning a home. Insurance is something you have to have to protect yourself and your home — hoping you’ll never need it — but no one likes paying those premiums every month. Many homeowners have no idea what goes into the overall cost of their insurance premiums. Believe it or not, insurance companies have a little black book they use when determining whether or not they’ll cover roof damage.
Roof repair in Tulsa is expensive, and so is a total roof replacement. It’s always a good idea to educate yourself on the ins and outs of home insurance rates and how the condition of your roof affects your coverage. Here’s everything you need to know, provided by the roofing experts at Shamrock Roofing and Construction.
Age Matters
A total roof replacement comes with a hefty price tag. Insurance companies aren’t keen on forking over large chunks of cash to fix a roof that was already on its last leg. In fact, many insurance providers will not renew a policy if the roof is over 20 years old. Some roofing companies in Tulsa know how to get around this rule by conducting a roof inspection. Insurance companies will often go ahead and provide coverage with proof of a positive inspection that shows your roof is in good condition. Company policies differ on whether a roof inspection is sufficient to gain insurance coverage, so check with your carrier to see if this option will work for you!
Maintenance is a Must
Age matters, but so does maintenance! Leaks, water spots, and storm damage repair in Tulsa are inevitable come the rainy season, but many insurance policies don’t cover these roofing mishaps without proof of regular maintenance. That’s why Shamrock Roofing recommends investing in an annual maintenance routine with a roofing contractor who is licensed and insured. It’s best to check the fine print of your insurance policy and keep detailed records of any maintenance performed on your rooftop.
Determining the Payout
Insurance carriers vary on how much they’ll pay for roof repair and replacement. Many insurance providers won’t write a policy for an older roof, and they often refuse to cover replacement costs, but these same providers will pay cash value for storm damage repair in Tulsa. This means they won’t cover the cost of a new roof replacement, but they’ll reimburse homeowners for the cash value of the old roof. While many homeowners consider this to be better than nothing, it’s not an ideal situation.
The better route is to work with one of the more reputable roofing companies in Tulsa to get your roof repaired or replaced (with a new policy in tow) before storm season. This is the best way to ensure your roof is covered in the event of a major disaster, vandalism, or “Act of God.”
Need Help? Shamrock Roofing Can Help You File a Claim
There are a lot of things that go into determining the price of an insurance policy. Shamrock Roofing and Construction is one of the most knowledgeable roofing companies in Tulsa when it comes to working with homeowners insurance. Whether you need help navigating the fine print of your insurance policy or fulfilling your insurer’s requirements when filing a claim, we’re here to help. We have over 55 years of experience with roof replacement and roof repair in Tulsa, so contact us to schedule an appointment today!