If your home insurance got canceled because of a bad roof, all you have to do is to repair it or completely replace your roof shingles so that your home insurance policy can be restored. An insurer may not want to take the risk of insuring your home if you’re living in a disaster- and accident-prone area or if your home needs repairs and replacements for a bad roof because there is a high chance that your house will get damaged. If your roof is over 20 years old, some insurance companies will require you to have an inspection while others won’t accept your application because of the high risk. The older the roof, the more risk for the insurance company so it’s better to hire professionals and let them determine if your roof is still in good condition or repairs are needed already.
Causes of Roof Damage and Maintenance Tips
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home and a bad roof is one of the main reasons why your home insurance policy can be canceled. You should be aware of what causes the damage and how you can prevent it from happening. Here are some of these causes and ways to prevent it:
1. Weather
Hail is one of the leading causes of roof damage. It removes the sandy coating that protects asphalt shingles from bad weather and makes them brittle. As a result, a large hailstone can split an asphalt shingle or can make a hole in it. Hail causes gouge, cracking, and shingle loss if your roof is made of tiles, wooden shakes, or slate shingles.
Leaks will develop in your roof and will cause more damage, not just in your roof, but in the overall structure of your home. Hail damage to your roof may not be visible so make sure to get an inspection after a hailstorm happens.
2. Rust
If you have a metal roof, rust buildup is very common and it doesn’t mean that your roof is already leaking because of the rust. However, when you leave it unattended, it can peel the paint and coating of your roof, causing holes or scaling. Stop rust from spreading by using a rust inhibitor and always inspect your roof.
3. Roof traffic
Increased traffic on your roof often can damage it so you should only walk on it when needed maintenance should be done, especially when your roof is already old. Walking on a shingle roof will make it brittle and can cause splits and cracks. If you have a slate or tile roof, it can shatter if you put too much force on it while walking. Other than that, if your roof is made of metals, it will have creasing, crimping, or holes in its metal panels, this can lead to ponding water, leaks, and rust.
These are just some of the common causes of roof damage that you should prevent to prolong the life of your roof and avoid policy cancellation. In the United States, the most common type of roofing material used by homeowners is shingle and can last up to 20 years. For tile and clay roofs, it can last for up to 40 years and metal roofs can last for up to 60 years, depending on the material.
Final Thoughts: Reduce home insurance cancellation risks
Now that you know what to do when your home insurance coverage got canceled for a bad roof, you will be able to reduce the risk of cancellation again. Prevention is always better than cure. Address all the unacceptable risks that your insurer might find when they inspect your home. Avoid massive repairs, especially when you’re up for renewal, by doing routine maintenance on your roof and home regularly. You also have to avoid filing too many claims, especially if repairs are only minimal and can be fixed easily by hiring some professionals. Other than that, make sure that your home insurance company will inspect your home before they write the policy. Record the inspection by taking photos and by videotaping the appearance of your home at the time the company insures it. Your policy can have a bigger chance of reinstatement when you do these tips.
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