The short version
- Insurance usually covers sudden damage like hail and wind, not old age or wear.
- Replacement cost pays for a new roof; actual cash value subtracts depreciation.
- Many Ohio policies have a separate wind/hail deductible, often a percentage of your home's insured value. Know yours.
- Have your roofer at the adjuster meeting so no damage gets missed.
When insurance pays
Usually, if the damage came from a sudden event your policy covers, like hail, wind or a falling tree. Usually not, if the roof is simply old or worn out. Insurance is for damage, not for age. Every policy is different, so your policy and your agent are the final word.
Replacement cost vs. actual cash value
How much you get depends on how your policy settles roof claims. The Ohio Department of Insurance describes two ways:
- Replacement cost pays the full cost to repair or replace the damaged roof with new materials of like kind and quality. Insurers often pay part up front and the rest once the work is done, and many policies require repairs to be completed within a set time, such as 180 days from the date of loss, or the payment may drop to actual cash value.
- Actual cash value pays the current cost minus depreciation. On an older roof, that can be much less than the cost of a new one.
Check which one your policy uses for the roof. Some policies treat roofs differently based on their age.
Your deductible
Many Ohio policies have a separate deductible for wind and hail. It may be a flat dollar amount or a percentage of your home's insured value, not of the damage. The Ohio Department of Insurance gives this example: with a home insured for $300,000 and a 2% wind/hail deductible, you pay the first $6,000.
Will insurance replace an old roof?
Not because of age alone. Insurance pays for sudden damage, not wear and tear. But age can still affect your coverage: the Ohio Department of Insurance suggests asking your agent whether the age, condition or type of your roof affects your coverage or premium, and whether a new or impact-resistant roof could earn a discount.
How a roof claim works
- Get the roof inspected and the damage documented with photos.
- Contact your insurance company to open a claim.
- An adjuster inspects the roof. It helps to have your roofer there too.
- The insurer sends a written estimate and payment based on your policy.
- Your roofer does the work, and you pay your deductible.
See how we help with insurance claims.
Working with a roofer on your claim
A good roofer inspects and documents the damage, meets your adjuster at the house, and explains each step.
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy wording controls your coverage. Lifetime Roofing Company is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster.