Winter Roofing: Is It Covered By Homeowner’s Insurance?

The snow that builds up on your roof can be caused by winter storms, and blizzards. The weight of the snow can become too much to handle, to the point that it can even cause a roof collapse for some residential roofing systems. Once it melts, snow can cause severe flooding and roof leaks. With that in mind, does your homeowner’s insurance cover damage caused by snow?

What Does Your Homeowner’s Insurance Cover?

Your homeowner’s insurance policy mostly covers damage that is caused by weather events, such as blizzards and winter storms. However, if your roof collapses, do your best to prevent damage from spreading. This means that you should move your belongings to a secluded area that won’t be affected. If this can’t be done, try to cover them with a tarp to protect them from further damage.

Other than a roof collapse due to the weight of the snow, your insurance should cover wind damage caused by a blizzard. This also includes displacement due to power outages, or damaged plumbing. For an added degree of security, make sure that your home is ready to handle the elements by conducting thorough roof inspections. Make sure that you document this properly to be submitted along with your insurance claim.

What Isn’t Covered?

In most cases, your insurance agent won’t assess roof collapses as they are. They will assess your roof’s condition prior to the collapse. For instance, if you have a deteriorated roof that is due for a replacement, then your insurance provider will pay for the depreciated amount of the damage, or at times, they won’t cover you at all. Also, if the snow melts quickly and damages your basement and sewage tank, it won’t be covered by your homeowner’s insurance.

US Roofing is not only your go-to company for residential and commercial roofing. We can also manage all of your roofing needs, from professional inspections to emergency repairs. We proudly serve Peabody, MA, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (978) 532-6300 or fill out this contact form to schedule your roof evaluation.