Can Your Roof Affect Your Home Insurance?

Your roof is what stands between your home and the elements. As a result, your roof’s age, condition and materials can significantly impact how much you pay for homeowners insurance. Before you buy a new-to-you home, it’s important to understand the factors that impact your roof’s longevity. Depending on its age and condition, your insurance company may require a roof inspection before approving your policy — that’s how important your roof is! Read on to discover how roof requirements affect your homeowners insurance premiums.

Age

The age of your roof can affect your insurance rates. The older your roof, the more likely it is to succumb to damage — and the more expensive it is to insure. Depending on your roof’s age and condition, it may actually be ineligible for coverage.

Condition

An older roof with issues like leaks, algae and missing or damaged shingles may not qualify you for possible discounts a newer roof could provide leading to higher insurance premiums.

Material

Roofing material is perhaps the most important factor to its longevity. The following options vary greatly in cost, durability, protection, sustainability and insurability.

• Asphalt shingles: Asphalt is one of the most common roofing materials due to its low cost, but its lifespan is on the shorter side at about 20 years.
• Wood shingles/shake: Many go for resilient wood roofs due to their curb appeal, but they’re more susceptible to rot, water and insects.
• Slate shingles: Slate roofs are incredibly resistant and long-lasting (a century!). They’re also pricy and liable to break upon impact.
• Metal roofing: Flat and seamless, metal roofing can repel heat, snow and rain.
• Concrete and clay tiles: Concrete and clay roofs are weather-resistant and can last up to 50 years or more, but they’re also more expensive.
• Solar tiles: Despite the high up-front cost, solar tiles are long-lasting and eco-friendly.

Does Getting a New Roof Lower Home Insurance Rates?

Yes, it certainly can! After all, a new roof is more likely to make your home more damage-resistant — protecting it from extreme elements like hail and heavy rain. That protection, as important as it is, does come at a price. Roof replacements can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000.

Plan Ahead

Before you go through with the installation, talk to your Farm Bureau agent about potential discounts. They’ll explain how a new roof and specific materials can affect your homeowners insurance premiums.