Does insurance cover roof replacement?

When insurance pays for a roof

Home insurance is mainly for sudden damage from a covered event. The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) says policies typically cover roof damage from a covered peril such as wind, hail or falling trees ^[1]. Texas regulators put it simply: you can file a claim if a storm, a tree or something else damages your roof ^[9].

After you file, the adjuster estimates the cost and may recommend a repair or a full replacement, depending on the damage ^[19]. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that your company might not pay to replace the whole roof, even if new shingles don't match the old ones perfectly ^[9].

Your policy lists the perils it covers. Read that list, or ask your agent to walk you through it.

When insurance won't pay

Insurance doesn't pay for age and wear. Triple-I says a standard policy won't pay for damage from a flood, an earthquake or routine wear and tear ^[2]. Texas regulators add that your insurer won't pay for a new roof just because it's old or worn out, and a roof in poor condition might not be covered at all ^[8].

Repairs for problems the storm didn't cause are also left out. Colorado's Division of Insurance warns that improvements or repairs for damage that was not part of the storm will not be covered ^[11].

So if your roof is simply old, a new roof is a cost you plan and pay for yourself. Our guide to signs you need a new roof can help you judge where yours stands.

Roof leaks and insurance

It depends on what caused the leak. Per Triple-I, insurers will generally pay for damage from rain coming through a hole in the roof, as long as a covered event made the hole ^[7]. It also lists damage from ice dams on your roof as covered by homeowners policies ^[20].

A slow leak from aging shingles or worn flashing is a different story. Triple-I says seepage is viewed as a maintenance issue and is not covered by insurance ^[3]. If you see water stains, have the cause checked soon, and ask your insurer how your policy treats it.

Replacement cost vs actual cash value

This setting can make a big difference in your check. Replacement cost coverage pays up to the full cost to repair your roof at current prices ^[8]. Actual cash value (ACV) is the replacement cost minus depreciation for wear and tear, age and other factors ^[5]. Triple-I explains that for an old, worn-out roof, the deduction for depreciation may be large ^[3].

With replacement cost, the money may come in two parts. In Texas, the state's guidance says the company pays with two checks: the first is a partial payment, and the rest comes after you've started repairs ^[8]. Nebraska's insurance department says you must make the repairs within a set time, usually 180 days, to collect the rest ^[19]. Your policy sets your real deadline, so check it. In Texas, the insurer can also hold back that second payment until you show proof that you paid your deductible ^[24].

Coverage can change as your roof ages. Texas guidance says some companies switch older roofs to actual cash value ^[8], and Triple-I says some insurers in some states cover roofs for hail damage on a depreciated basis ^[6]. Some policies use a roof payment schedule instead. For example, one insurer's sample schedule pays a share of the cost for wind or hail damage, and that share drops as the roof gets older, at different rates for different roof materials ^[22]. State regulators count policies with these schedules as ACV roof coverage ^[17].

Deductibles, including percentage wind and hail deductibles

Your deductible is the amount you are responsible for paying toward an insured loss ^[4]. Many homes have a flat dollar deductible. In storm areas, the deductible for wind and hail is often a percentage of your home's insured value instead. Triple-I says wind and hail deductibles are most commonly percentages, typically from 1 percent to 5 percent ^[4]. For windstorm deductibles in general, including hurricane areas, Triple-I gives a wider range of 1 percent to 15 percent, depending on the state and sometimes the insurer ^[6].

A percentage deductible can be much larger than it sounds. Triple-I's example: if your home is insured for $100,000 with a 2 percent deductible, $2,000 is taken off your claim payment ^[4]. The table below uses the same math on a home insured for $300,000.

If the damage costs less than your deductible, there's no payment. Colorado's Division of Insurance says plainly that the insurer will not issue a payment in that case ^[11]. Texas guidance warns that the wind and hail deductible is often more than the deductible for other damage ^[9], so look for it on your declarations page.

Cosmetic damage and roof exclusions

Some policies don't pay for damage that only changes how the roof looks. The Oklahoma Insurance Department says hail coverage can have exceptions for cosmetic damage, meaning damage that affects looks but not how the house works ^[15]. State regulators also track how many policies don't cover cosmetic roof damage ^[17].

A dent that doesn't let water in could be treated as cosmetic under this kind of exclusion. Minnesota's commerce department warned that some insurers limit wind and hail coverage to cases where siding or shingles are punctured or torn and no longer keep water out ^[16].

Rules on these exclusions vary by state. In 2022, Minnesota's regulator said its state law did not address cosmetic exclusions ^[16]. Ask your agent if your policy has one, and what it would mean for your roof.

Roofers, contracts and your deductible

You are expected to pay your deductible. Texas and Colorado have laws on this, and other states may too. This is general information, not legal advice.

Texas law says a person insured under a property policy must pay any deductible on a claim ^[24]. Since a 2019 change, it is a crime in Texas for a contractor or roofer to offer to waive your deductible or promise a rebate for any part of it without the insurer's consent ^[23][10]. It is a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $2,000, up to 180 days in jail, or both ^[23][25]. Your insurer may also ask for proof that you paid your deductible ^[21].

In Colorado, a roofer who will be paid from a home insurance claim can't advertise or promise to pay, waive or rebate any part of your deductible ^[14]. For roofing jobs over $1,000 on most existing homes, the roofer must give you a written contract that lets you cancel and get a full refund of any deposit within 72 hours of signing ^[12]. If insurance is paying for the roof and your insurer denies the claim in whole or in part, you can also cancel within 72 hours of getting the written denial. That second right doesn't cover some extra work that couldn't have been foreseen when the contract was signed ^[13].

Other states have their own rules. Your state insurance department can tell you what applies where you live.

What to do next

Before a storm, pull out your policy. Find your wind and hail deductible, whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or ACV, and any cosmetic exclusion. Ask your agent if your roof's age and material are listed correctly, and tell your insurer if you replace the roof ^[9]. Triple-I notes that if your roof is over 20 years old when you apply for coverage, most insurers will require it to pass an inspection ^[1].

After a storm, call your insurer or agent as soon as you can ^[11]. Stay off the roof. Take photos from the ground, and keep receipts for any temporary repair, since your policy may pay for it ^[21][18]. If you think your insurer isn't handling your claim on time, contact your state insurance department ^[18].

A roofer's inspection tells you what the damage is and what a fix costs, which helps you decide whether a claim makes sense. You can request quotes from up to 3 local roofers through Matched Pros. Ask each one for a written estimate, and check their license where your state or city requires one.

Questions

Will insurance pay for a new roof because it's old?

No. Insurance pays for damage from covered events like hail or wind, not for routine wear and tear ^[2]. The Texas Department of Insurance says your insurer won't pay for a new roof just because it's old or worn out ^[8].

Can a roofer pay my deductible for me?

Not in some states. Texas law makes it a crime for a roofer to offer to waive your deductible or promise a rebate on it ^[23], and Colorado law bars roofers paid from home insurance claims from advertising or promising to pay, waive or rebate it ^[14]. Check your own state's rules with your state insurance department.

How do I know if my roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value?

Look at your policy's declarations page and the loss settlement section, or ask your agent. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that some policies pay the full cost of a new roof, while others pay less based on the roof's age and condition ^[9].

Should I file a claim if the damage costs less than my deductible?

If the damage is below your deductible, the insurer won't send a payment ^[11]. Nebraska's insurance department says you may want to consider not filing in that case, and notes that some companies look at wind and hail claims when deciding whether to renew a policy, even if nothing was paid ^[19]. A written estimate from a roofer can help you compare the cost to your deductible.

What can I do if my roof claim is denied?

Ask your insurer for a written letter that explains the reason and the policy language behind it ^[11]. If you think your claim isn't being handled properly, you can contact your state insurance department ^[18].

Related guides

• Signs you need a new roof, and how to check safely from the ground

Sources

1. [1] Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), How Your Roof Influences Your Home and Business Insurance (undated (page copyright 2026))
2. [2] Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), What is covered by standard homeowners insurance? (undated (page copyright 2026))
3. [3] Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Am I Covered? (undated)
4. [4] Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Understanding your insurance deductibles (undated (page copyright 2026))
5. [5] Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Insurance for Your House and Personal Possessions (glossary: Actual Cash Value, Replacement Cost Dwelling Insurance) (undated)
6. [6] Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Spotlight on: Catastrophes - Insurance issues (undated (figures as of 2024 and 2025))
7. [7] Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), Settling insurance claims after a disaster (undated)
8. [8] Texas Department of Insurance, Insurance and your roof: What to know when buying a policy or filing a claim (2026-04-01 (last updated))
9. [9] Texas Department of Insurance, What to know about insurance and your roof (2026-03)
10. [10] Texas Department of Insurance, State law cracks down on roof scams (2019-08-07 (updated 2023-01-18))
11. [11] Colorado Division of Insurance, Consumer Advisory: Division of Insurance Shares Tips After Hailstorm Batters Metro Denver (2024-05-31)
12. [12] Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal Services, C.R.S. 6-22-103, Contracts for roofing services, writing required, required terms (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 6, Article 22) (2024 edition; section unchanged since SB 12-038 (2012))
13. [13] Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal Services, C.R.S. 6-22-104, Residential roofing contract, payment from insurance proceeds, right to rescind (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 6, Article 22) (2024 edition; section unchanged since SB 12-038 (2012))
14. [14] Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal Services, C.R.S. 6-22-105, Waiver of insurance deductible prohibited (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 6, Article 22) (2024 edition; section unchanged since SB 12-038 (2012))
15. [15] Oklahoma Insurance Department, Wind and Hail (undated (page copyright 2026))
16. [16] Minnesota Department of Commerce, Consumer alert: MN Commerce advises Minnesota homeowners to check insurance coverage for wind, hail limits (2022-08-15)
17. [17] National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Definitions for State Regulator Homeowners Market Data Call 2026 (2026)
18. [18] National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Navigating the Claims Process: Recover & Rebuild (2017-09-01 (modified 2024-01-16))
19. [19] Nebraska Department of Insurance, Hail Damage: Does My Roof Need Repair? (undated)
20. [20] Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), How to protect your home from water damage (undated)
21. [21] Texas Department of Insurance, After hail or windstorms (2025-12-09 (last updated))
22. [22] Farm Bureau Financial Services, Protecting Your Roof: What the Payment Schedule Means for You (Roof Payment Schedule, form 720-299) (2025-07)
23. [23] Texas Legislature, Texas Business and Commerce Code Sec. 27.02, Goods or services paid for by insurance proceeds: payment of deductible required (as amended by H.B. 2102 (2019), eff. 2019-09-01)
24. [24] Texas Legislature, Texas Insurance Code Chapter 707, Payment of Insurance Deductible (Secs. 707.002, 707.004) (added by H.B. 2102 (2019), eff. 2019-09-01)
25. [25] Texas Legislature, Texas Penal Code Sec. 12.22, Class B misdemeanor (current statute)

How we research and check our guides: editorial policy.