Your roof is the first line of defense against disaster striking your home. And yet, many homeowners have been pushing their roof’s age to the limit. Some homeowners are trying to use their insurance policies to perform basic maintenance on their home. An aging roof impacts more than just one family’s insurance policy- it can effect their financial wellbeing or even impact the insurance market as a whole.
How Long Can the Average Roof Last?
A roof can last anywhere from 8 to 100 years depending on the roofing material. As you can see here, not all roofing material is created equal:
- Rolled roofing material: around 8 years
- Asphalt shingles: around 20 years
- Metal: around 50 years
- Clay Tile: around 100 years
- Slate: around 150 years
Roof and Insurance Eligibility
Roofing material and an aging roof impacts eligibility for home insurance. For instance, many carriers in the preferred market will not accept rolled roofing material. In today’s hard market, many carriers are not covering a roof if it is more than 15 years old. An independent insurance advisor at Cincinnatus Insurance knows which carriers have the strictest guidelines. They can advise you on which carriers will be the best match for your home based on your roof’s age and material.
If Your Roof is Old, Don’t Wait to Replace It
The reasons for updating your roof seem like a non-brainer, but you’d be surprised by how many homeowners try to stretch that roof age as far as possible. Keeping your roof updated protects your home from:
- Leaks
- Subsequent mold damage
- Unwanted guests such as rodents or other vermin
- Reduced energy efficiency
- Increased risk for house fires
Additionally, an insurance carrier could deny a roof claim if they see your roof has made it to the end of its life.
Roof Claim Complications
With a nationwide increase in home claims filed in recent years, insurance carriers are trying to put the onus on homeowners to replace their roof themselves and not rely on a roof claim to get a replacement. Roofing companies like to walk the neighborhood after severe weather to talk homeowners into filing wind claims in hopes of getting some work. Talk to your advisor before you file a claim- they are aware of what claim activity you’ve had in the past, or if your carrier is strict about roof claims for aging roofs.
A Final Reminder
The purpose of insurance is to make you whole when a disaster strikes. Is your roof in the condition to protect you against the worst of what nature has to offer? If not, we have great referral partners to suggest. Our team at Cincinnatus Insurance is always here to help analyze your policy and provide the best recommendations for your home policy to prevent financial disaster!