Roof Replacement & Homeowners Insurance in Massachusetts

Sudden damage vs. wear and tear

Homeowners policies are generally written to cover sudden, accidental damage, such as wind, falling trees, hail, or the weight of ice and snow. A roof that has simply worn out with age usually is not covered. Interior water damage from ice dams is covered under some policies and not others, so check yours.

How a typical claim moves

1. You report the damage to your insurer and receive a claim number.
2. An adjuster inspects the roof and the inside of the house.
3. The insurer issues its assessment of the damage and what the policy covers.
4. Your contractor prepares a written scope for the work.
5. Additional damage found during tear-off, such as rotted decking, is photographed and submitted as a supplement.
6. Payments are released according to your policy, often in stages.

Depreciation and how payments arrive

Under an actual cash value policy, the payment reflects the roof's age and condition. Under a policy written for full replacement, insurers often pay part of the claim first and release the remaining depreciation after the work is complete and documented. Your declarations page tells you which kind of coverage you have.

Code-required items

A new roof has to meet today's code, which may call for items the old roof never had, such as an ice barrier at the eaves, drip edge or added ventilation. Whether those items are covered depends on your policy's ordinance or law coverage.

What to document

• Dated photos of the damage, outside and in
• Every call and email with your insurer, with names and dates
• Receipts for anything you did to protect the house
• The contractor's written scope and any supplements
• The building permit and final inspection sign-off