Insurers Become More Restrictive on Homes with Older Roofs

John Fertitta graduated from Johnson and Wales University magna cum laude with a BS in food and hospitality management. Currently employed as a roofing insurance specialist with Randy Johnson Builders, John Fertitta functions as a liaison between the insurance company, the roofer, and the customer.

In an effort to avoid excessive insurance claims, many insurers are restricting coverage to homes with damaged or structurally unsound roofs, because a leaky roof can lead to further damage inside the dwelling. In fact, homeowner policies on houses older than 20 years may be ineligible for renewal without passing a roof inspection.

Other insurance companies won’t insure a house at all if the roof is older than 20 years and if older roofs are insured, the insurer will only reimburse the customer for the prorated value of the older roof rather than the replacement value. Insurance specialists believe that a roof of this age has a compromised membrane, and therefore, there may be unseen problems such as moisture infiltration.