While the colder months are generally viewed as a fun time to enjoy the snow, the harsh weather conditions tell another story for buildings, structures and homes, especially the roofs.
But, will your home insurance cover the costs if your roof sustains winter-related damage?
Leading Causes of Winter Damage on Roofs
The cold weather can affect not just your roof, but also your entire home. We will be focusing on the winter damage sustained by roofs. The two major culprits when it comes to roof damage during winter are snow and ice. When snow accumulates on your roof, the weight can exceed the live load limit of the structure. When this happens, the roofing system can collapse. Ice dam formations can also add weight on your roof and pose a serious security hazard.
What Does Home Insurance Cover?
In terms of winter roofing damage, the majority of home insurance policies cover damage that resulted directly from winter weather, condition, events or situations. Winter weather events may include situations like trees falling on your roof due to a blizzard or heavy snow, roof collapses due to the accumulated weight of snow and, in some cases, frozen pipes.
What Isn’t Covered by Home Insurance?
As with any home insurance policy, there are bound to be exclusions. Your home insurance won’t cover roofing damage brought on by winter-related factors if homeowner negligence has been proven. For instance, if the roof is already in a state of extreme disrepair before the winter season, and the homeowner failed to take the standard maintenance steps, the insurance claim can be contested by the insurance company.
Pritchett Bros can help you with all your roofing needs. Apart from our excellent storm damage repair services and outstanding GAF roofing products, we also have expertise in working with insurance companies. We can guide you through the complex process of insurance claims. Call us today at (812) 275-3185 to schedule an appointment. We serve Bloomington and Bedford, IN.
