When your roof needs repair or replacement, one key question that arises is how are you going to foot the bill. The answer to this question depends on whether all or part of the cost is covered by an insurance policy. If part or all of the expense is paid by an insurer, this is naturally a huge financial advantage for the homeowner. The following article examines the important topic of roof insurance.

Homeowner's Insurance

Your homeowner's insurance policy might or might not cover the expense of a roof repair or replacement, depending on the cause of the damage and the specific language of your policy. Most homeowner's policies cover a wide variety of damaging events, such as storms and lightning, fire, winds causing a tree to fall on your house, and explosions, according to the BobVila home improvement website. 

A crucial point to remember is that if the cause of a roof's damage is something that the homeowner could have prevented, the insurer is typically not going to cover the costs of any repairs. For example, if insects have harmed your roof, you probably won't be covered by your homeowner's policy because the insurer will claim it was preventable if you had maintained your roof properly and taken care of the problem before any damage was done.

Another important point is that your policy is not going to cover the cost of a new roof when your old one needs replacement due to age. The cost of installing a new roof, because the old one has too much wear and tear, is your responsibility as the homeowner.

Warranty

In addition to your homeowner's insurance, your roof will typically be covered by two different warranties. The first is a manufacturer's warranty that covers the roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles. The manufacturer will cover any roof issues that are the result of flaws in the materials.

The other warranty comes from the roofing contractor. This warranty covers the workmanship involved in installing or repairing a roof. A roofer's warranty will generally last for about five to 10 years. You can, however, ask for an extended warranty that will last much longer. The extended warranty will cost extra, although it could be worth it for your peace of mind. The roofer's warranty could be voided if you fail to keep the roof well-maintained.

Whether or not your insurance covers the cost, roof damage must be dealt with promptly or you risk even more harm being done because you waited. Contact a local roofing contractor for more info.