Insured but Exposed
The Policy Loopholes Leaving You Vulnerable
The Full Story
Your Policy Isn’t Your Roof’s Friend—It’s Your Insurance Company’s
You think you’re covered, right? Think again. Most homeowners assume their insurance has their back when it comes to roof damage, but the fine print is working against you. The truth is, your policy is designed to protect the insurance company, not your roof.
Fact You Didn’t Know:
Some policies have “cosmetic exclusions”—meaning if your roof looks damaged but isn’t leaking, you’re on your own. That hailstorm that left your roof dented? They don’t care unless there’s a leak.
Depreciation Clauses
Your Roof’s Value Drops Fast!
Here’s a little secret: If your roof is over 10 years old, many policies will depreciate its value—sometimes by up to 50%. That’s right—your "lifetime" roof might only be worth half of what you paid for it when disaster strikes. Insurance companies love to subtract based on age, leaving you with pennies when you need thousands.
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Overlooked Fine Print: This depreciation means you’re getting paid based on your roof’s current value, not what it would actually cost to replace it. Translation? Your payout could be thousands less than what you expect.
The Sneaky Part
“Matching” Isn’t Guaranteed
Think you’re going to get a seamless roof repair? Think again. If your roof is partially damaged, your insurance might refuse to replace the entire roof—leaving you with mismatched shingles that decrease your home’s value.
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Unless you have matching coverage, you’re in for an ugly surprise.
Sneaky Clause: Matching coverage isn’t standard. Many policies only replace the damaged section of your roof, leaving the rest of it looking like a patchwork quilt.
“Gradual Damage”
is the Catch-All That DENIES
Most Claims
Insurance companies are masters at labeling roof problems as “gradual damage.” What does that mean? Anything they think has developed over time—like that small leak you didn’t notice until it caused a ceiling collapse—isn’t covered. They’ll call it your fault for not maintaining your roof, and deny your claim faster than you can say ‘water damage.’
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Surprise Fine Print: Even if a storm triggered your roof’s problems, insurance companies can argue that the damage was gradual and deny your claim based on poor maintenance. Keeping detailed maintenance records is your best defense.
Hail Deductibles:
Prepare to Pay More Than You Think
The hard truth—your insurance policy is full of traps, but you can avoid the worst ones by being proactive.
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Demand a Policy Review:
Don’t just assume you’re covered. Ask your agent for a detailed breakdown of what’s covered, what isn’t, and how much your roof is worth under your current policy.
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Upgrade to RCV Coverage:
If you’re stuck with ACV, it’s time to upgrade to Replacement Cost Value. Yes, it costs a little more, but you’ll thank yourself when you’re not paying half the bill for a new roof.
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Check for Roof Endorsements:
Demand that your policy includes coverage for matching shingles and full roof replacements after major damage.
Overlooked Fine Print You Need to Know
Many policies have separate deductibles for hail, and wind damage. If you’re in a storm-prone area, you’ll be paying a higher deductible than you expected when the inevitable happens.
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That “$1,000 deductible” you’re counting on?
It could be double for storm damage.
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Key Fine Print: If you live in Texas, you’re at high risk for hail and wind damage. Some policies have deductibles as high as 5% of your home’s value for these types of damage.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Book a FREE Policy Review and Roof Inspection Today!
