Personal Liability Insurance: What Happens When Someone Gets Hurt on Your Property

If you’ve recently filed a claim for a roof replacement and your insurance company denied it, you’re not alone. Many homeowners assume their insurance will cover a new roof after damage, only to find out that’s not always the case.

So, why won’t your insurance company replace your roof? The answer often comes down to  policy terms, the cause of damage, and the age of your roof.  Let’s break it down.

One of the most common misconceptions about home insurance is that it  covers all roof damage.  The reality?  No property insurance policy is a maintenance policy.

That means  gradual wear and tear, neglect, or aging  won’t be covered. Insurance is designed to protect against sudden, unexpected events—like:
✅ Hailstorms
✅ Fallen trees
✅ Fire
✅ Windstorms (depending on your policy)

However, if your roof is simply  old or deteriorating from age, poor maintenance, or previous unreported damage, your claim may be denied.

If a hailstorm damages your  5-year-old roof,  your insurance will likely cover repairs or replacement.
But if a  20-year-old roof  starts leaking due to worn-out shingles, that’s considered  normal aging —which insurance won’t cover.

Many insurers have  roof age limits  when it comes to full replacements. If your roof is  15 to 20 years old , your coverage may be limited to  actual cash value (ACV)  rather than the full replacement cost.

• Replacement Cost Value (RCV):  Pays for a new roof at today’s prices, minus your deductible.
• Actual Cash Value (ACV):  Pays only for the  depreciated value  of your roof, meaning you’ll receive significantly less money.

If your insurer only offers  ACV coverage , you may need to pay a large portion of the replacement cost  out of pocket.

🔗  Check out this guide  from the Insurance Information Institute to understand how roof insurance coverage works.

If an insurance adjuster  inspects your roof and finds signs of pre-existing damage —such as missing shingles, previous leaks, or mold growth—they may reject your claim.

This is why  regular roof inspections and maintenance are crucial.  Many policies state that  homeowners must take reasonable steps to maintain their property —and failing to do so can result in denied claims.

🚫 Improper installation
🚫 Neglect or lack of maintenance
🚫 Existing leaks before a storm
🚫 Roof damage not reported in a timely manner

If an insurer suspects your roof  was already compromised  before the claimed event, they may deny coverage.

Did you know that  some policies exclude specific types of storm damage?

For example, if you live in a  hurricane-prone  area, your insurance might have a  hurricane or windstorm deductible that requires  you to pay a portion of repairs out of pocket  before coverage kicks in.

Similarly,  earthquakes and floods  are  not covered  under standard home insurance policies—you’d need separate policies for those.

Pro Tip:  Always review your  policy exclusions  and discuss coverage details with your insurance provider.

🔗  Learn more about what home insurance covers  from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

If your claim is denied, it’s important to  get a second opinion  from a  trusted roofing contractor.  Sometimes, insurance adjusters miss critical damage or incorrectly classify the issue as wear and tear.

Working with a professional roofer can help you:
✔️ Identify legitimate storm damage
✔️ Document necessary repairs for an insurance appeal
✔️ Ensure your roof is properly maintained to prevent future claim denials

🔗  Mario’s Roofing  is a trusted local roofer that provides high-quality roof inspections, repairs, and replacements. If you suspect your roof has damage, reach out for a professional evaluation.

If your claim is denied,  don’t panic.  Here are some steps to take:

✅  Request a detailed explanation  of the denial from your insurance company.
✅  Check your policy  to ensure the claim should or shouldn’t be covered.
✅  Get a second opinion  from an independent roofing contractor.
✅  Consider appealing  the decision with additional evidence, such as photos and maintenance records.
✅  Ask about partial repairs  if a full replacement isn’t covered.

Your  home insurance is there for sudden damage—not maintenance issues.  The best way to ensure coverage is to  stay ahead of roof problems  by:
✔️ Getting  annual roof inspections
✔️ Fixing small issues before they become major problems
✔️ Keeping documentation of repairs and inspections

If your roof is nearing the end of its life,  contact a trusted roofing contractor  to assess whether it’s time for an upgrade—before damage leads to costly repairs or denied insurance claims.

Not sure how your current policy would respond if something happened?  Reach out to the experts at Mario’s Roofing  for guidance. They’ll help you understand your options and work alongside your insurer to keep your home fully protected.