Keep reading our guide to roof insurance coverage so you can better understand what is and what is not covered in your homeowner’s coverage. 

What Is Covered With Roof Insurance Coverage?

Most people think your homeowner’s policy always covers all roof damage. However, depending on your individual insurance plan, not all roof damage is covered. 

Common types of damages that are typically covered in roof insurance coverage include: 

• Environmental or Weather-Related Damage. Damage caused by the environment usually includes hail, storm, wind, and tree damage. However, floods and earthquakes are not always covered in a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. Policies for flood or earthquake damage may be an extra cost.
• Animal Damage. Your policy may cover damage from a critter, such as damage to your attic or torn shingles.  
• Interior Damage. If the interior of your home was damaged from a storm or other weather-related cause, then your roof insurance coverage may cover the interior damage. 
• Vandalism or Theft. Often, if your roof is intentionally damaged or if roofing materials are stolen, your insurance policy may provide coverage for the damaged materials.
• Accidental Water Damage. You may be wondering, “Does home insurance cover roof leaks?” The answer is more complex than you would think. It depends on the cause of the leak. If the roof leak is caused by normal wear and tear, it will most likely not be covered. However, if there is a sudden accident, it may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. 

You should always thoroughly read your policy and know what it covers, especially when considering your region and the types of damage your home may be more prone to. Many factors come into play when determining how much of the cost of damages your home insurance will cover. 

What Is Not Covered With Roof Insurance?

Other issues that may not be covered include manufacturer defects, workmanship-related issues, and typical wear and tear. It’s vital to have a strong manufacturer’s warranty and a good workmanship warranty from the installer so that you are covered in any instances your roof insurance coverage may not cover. 

Common types of damage that are not covered with roof insurance include, but are not limited to: 

• Normal Wear and Tear. These damages typically occur over time and can result from a lack of maintenance or repairs.  
• Flood Damage. To cover flood damage, you will likely have to purchase an additional flood policy.  
• Earthquake Damage. For earthquake damage, you will likely have to purchase an additional earthquake policy. 
• Certain Roofing Materials. Some materials are not covered under roof insurance policies, such as wood, which has a high risk of fire damage. 

What Should You Do If Something Is Not Covered Under Roof Insurance Coverage?

Reviewing your policy to understand what it covers and maintain regular inspections is essential for any homeowner. If you live in an area prone to certain types of bad weather, adding additional coverage for that type of damage may be beneficial. Staying informed of your policy, keeping documentation, and adding extra coverage when needed is the best way to ensure your home is covered in the event of an accident. 

If your roof is damaged, it’s important to find a reputable contractor to work with who can adequately assess your roof damage. The experienced contractors at Werner Roofing are here for you. We work quickly and efficiently to help you get the best service for your needs. 

Contact Werner Roofing For Your Roofing Needs

When you let Werner Roofing help you inspect and maintain your roof, you won’t have unexpected costs. Our helpful team is ready to help you with all your roofing needs, from regular maintenance to damages covered under your roof insurance coverage. Contact Werner Roofing today to get help with your roofing needs. Call us at 616-844-5382 to get started! 

The bad news? Many homeowners complain that because there are various warranty options, choosing the right one is the most difficult and confusing part of the entire purchasing and installation process. 

Because of this, we’re going to use this article to lay all the information out on the table. Below, we’ll explain the ins and outs of the most common types of roof warranties, as well as some specific warranties that offer homeowners the most comprehensive protection. 

3 Main Types of Roof Warranties

There are hundreds of roof warranties on the market, all relating to different brands, products, and contractors. However, most of these warranties stem from these three basic warranty categories:

1. Standard Manufacturer’s Warranty

A standard manufacturer’s warranty generally covers the products you purchase, like shingles, metal panels, or other roofing materials and accessories. In most cases, it comes as a basic limited lifetime warranty, which means you’re covered as long as you own that home. The degree of protection varies based on each manufacturer’s definition of “limited” — whether that be only covering the cost of defective materials or covering the cost of defective materials and the labor needed to repair or replace them. 

2. Workmanship Warranty

A workmanship warranty is usually provided by your contractor, and it covers the roof installation. While the coverage varies depending on the contractor you work with, most protect against material failures due to improper installation and the cost of labor and materials needed to fix them. It’s important to keep in mind that these types of warranties typically won’t cover issues that aren’t related to workmanship, like storm, wind, water, foot traffic, or fallen tree damage.

3. Extended Manufacturer’s Warranty

An extended manufacturer’s warranty generally provides expanded coverage for both products and contractor workmanship. It offers the most comprehensive coverage, so you’re guaranteed lasting durability and peace of mind. Usually, this type of warranty comes at an additional cost and is granted only to homeowners who hire authorized contractors to install a complete roofing system according to the manufacturer’s installation requirements. 

What Voids a Roof Warranty?

In order to get the most out of your roof warranty, you should be aware of a few circumstances and activities that could void it. Of course, these factors vary depending on your manufacturer’s or contractor’s plan, but they should be detailed in your warranty. Some common reasons for voided roof warranties include:

• Installing a roof DIY-style, without an authorized contractor
• Pressure washing
• Improper ventilation
• Poor maintenance
• Layering new shingles over old ones
• Installing an antenna

The Best of the Best: GAF Roof Warranties

While there are many great roof warranty options available, the roofing experts at Werner Roofing have found GAF’s to be some of the industry’s best. GAF has a longstanding reputation for being a top shingle brand with superior customer service, making them a top choice for many homeowners. 

If you choose to install a GAF roof, you’ll be able to select from their five comprehensive roof warranties, which include:

• Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty
• Roofing System Limited Warranty
• System Plus Limited Warranty
• Silver Pledge Limited Warranty
• Golden Pledge Limited Warranty

These warranties vary in the amount covered, years covered, and pricing — but they’re all great options to protect homes, commercial buildings, and multi-family complexes. 

GAF Golden Pledge Limited Warranty

As a testament to their great warranties, GAF offers customers one of the most comprehensive in the roofing industry: the GAF Golden Pledge Limited Warranty. This warranty is available to customers who have GAF shingles, as well as five qualifying accessories, installed by an authorized GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor. 

The GAF Golden Pledge is a lifetime warranty that covers the entire GAF roofing system — materials, installation, and labor. With 15 years of wind protection, 30 years of workmanship protection, and coverage for tear-off and disposal, you won’t find another option that can give you that much peace of mind. 

Roofing warranties vary from brand, to product, to contractor — but at Werner Roofing, we make it easy. If we install our favorite GAF products on your roof, we can offer you their Golden Pledge Limited Warranty for comprehensive protection. Thanks to our prestigious Master Elite certification through GAF, we can promise quality on both materials and workmanship on your next roofing project. Contact our team for more information about our products and warranties.