Your homeowners insurance may pay to fix roof damage when shingles are damaged by a sudden, covered event, like high winds, hail, or a falling tree. Coverage depends on the cause of the damage, the condition of the roof, your policy terms, and your deductible.
Missing shingles should never be ignored. A small exposed area can let water into the underlayment or roof deck. Roof leaks increase the risk of mold, damaged insulation, interior repairs, and other concerns.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Missing Shingles?
Homeowners insurance may cover repairs if a covered peril caused the missing shingles. Named perils typically include windstorms, hail, lightning strikes, falling objects (tree branches), and other unexpected or accidental incidents.
If strong winds blow off several shingles from an otherwise sound roof, your policy may pay to fix the damage. You’ll be responsible for paying your deductible.
Your insurance company will likely inspect your roof or ask to see photographs and contractor documentation. Adjusters will look for evidence of sudden damage rather than expected deterioration caused by age.
When Will Insurance Not Cover Missing Shingles?
Insurance generally will not cover roof repairs when shingles come loose from age, neglect, lack of maintenance, improper installation, or other wear and tear. Homeowners insurance policies cover unexpected damage, not routine roof maintenance.
As shingles age, they naturally become weaker. Shingles can become brittle, curl at the edges, crack, lose granules, or fail to seal. When shingles fall off because the roof is too old, insurance will generally not pay to fix it.
The insurance company may also deny a claim if an older problem wasn’t repaired and the damage was allowed to worsen. Policyholders must take reasonable steps to maintain the property.
Scheduling an inspection soon after noticing missing shingles can help determine if the damage is storm-related or due to an aging roof.
Does Wind Damage To Shingles Qualify For Coverage?
Wind damage could qualify for coverage when wind is a covered peril under your policy and causes identifiable damage to the shingles. Wind can remove shingles or lift them up enough to break the seals.
Breaking the seal doesn’t mean the shingle comes off the roof. Even a lifted shingle can be damaged during wind storms. Once the seal is broken, wind-driven rain can soak the layers underneath.
Creased, torn, loose or missing shingles are signs of wind damage. However, wind damage isn’t always obvious from the ground. Some wind damage may not be noticeable when shingles fall back down after the storm.
Professionals can perform a roof inspection to determine if wind or another storm-related issue damaged your roof.
Will Insurance Pay For A Full Roof Replacement?
Insurance companies may approve a full roof replacement when damage is covered, extensive, and the roof cannot be repaired properly. When damage is limited, your insurer may only approve repairs to the damaged area.
Coverage depends on many factors including:
- Number and location of missing shingles
- Roof age and overall condition
- Whether matching shingles are available
- Any damage to underlayment or roof deck
- Local building codes and requirements
- Insurer’s estimate and insurance policy
Old roofs are sometimes more difficult to repair without damaging nearby materials. Shingles become brittle as they age, and removing one may damage surrounding shingles and materials.
The roofing contractor can advise you what work is needed, but the insurance company decides if it will provide coverage.
Does The Age Of The Roof Affect The Claim?
Age can affect both whether your claim is approved and how much your insurer will pay to fix the damage. Some roofs may qualify for a lower payout due to depreciation or have special roof coverage limits.
Homeowners insurance policies may offer replacement cost coverage or actual cash value payments for roof damage.
Replacement cost coverage typically pays the cost to replace damaged materials today minus your deductible. Actual cash value payments factor in depreciation based on roof age and condition.
Review your insurance policy or ask your insurance agent about roof coverage. Photographs, inspection reports, and maintenance records can help prove your roof’s condition before the damage occurred.
Should You File A Claim For A Few Missing Shingles?
Missing only a few shingles may not require an insurance claim if the repair costs less than, or close to, your deductible. Reviewing a professional estimate can help you decide.
For instance, filing a claim likely offers no benefit if repairs cost $800 and your policy has a $1,000 deductible. Without filing a claim, you would be responsible for the entire repair cost.
Keep in mind that missing shingles could signal more widespread damage. A storm may loosen several shingles on multiple roof slopes. Shingles may also come off during a storm and damage flashing, roof vents, or other materials.
Schedule a roof inspection before deciding your missing shingles are too minor for a claim. Once you have the repair cost and extent of damage, compare your estimate against your deductible and discuss your options with your insurance company.
What Should You Do After Finding Missing Shingles?
Document missing shingles and schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Missing shingles can quickly lead to water intrusion and other roof damage.
Take pictures of missing shingles on the ground and any visible roof damage from the ground. Write down the date you noticed the damage and whether there was a recent storm with high winds or hail.
Inspect your attic, insulation, and ceilings for water stains, discolored areas, or active dripping. Don’t climb on your roof unless the slope is safe and drains well.
Contact a reputable roofing contractor to inspect and provide a written estimate. You should also notify your insurance company of potential damage.
If damage is covered, file a claim according to your policy’s instructions. Keep copies of all documentation including photographs, repair estimates, receipts, inspection results, and communication with your insurer.
Can Missing Shingles Cause A Roof Leak?
Missing shingles can cause roof leaks by exposing underlayment. Water may soak into these areas and begin to leak through your roof during rain or high humidity.
Underlayment acts as a secondary protection layer but isn’t meant to be left exposed for long periods. Shingle granules, sunlight, moisture, and temperature changes can quickly degrade it.
Leaks can extend to the roof deck, roof insulation, attic, ceilings, and walls. Water damage typically costs more to repair than replacing a few shingles.
You can usually spot interior leaks right away, but you should inspect the roof even when water hasn’t leaked through.
Can A Roofer Replace Only The Missing Shingles?
Contractors can sometimes replace only the missing shingles when the surrounding materials are sound and matching shingles are available. Repairing a small area is common on newer roofs with little to no damage surrounding the loose shingles.
Contractors may recommend replacing more shingles or installing a new roof when there is:
- Widespread damage
- Brittle shingles
- Recurring leaks
- Substantial roof deterioration
Matching shingles to an older roof can be nearly impossible if the color changed or product has been discontinued. Two roofs installed at different times may not match because the existing roof has faded.
Contractors should inspect the surrounding areas and discuss your options before beginning work.
Why Is A Professional Roof Inspection Important?
Roof inspections are important because missing shingles can be one of many signs of storm damage. Contractors can evaluate your roof’s condition and identify issues the homeowner may not see.
Roof inspections typically include looking at shingles, flashing, roof vents, valleys, gutters, underlayment, and penetration areas. Contractors can also provide proof of inspection through photographs and written estimates.
Documentation does not guarantee your insurance company will approve a claim. However, it can help you explain the extent and cause of missing roof shingles.
How Can Atlas Roofing & Siding Help?
Atlas Roofing & Siding can inspect your roof and identify the extent of your missing shingle damage. We can also recommend repairs or a full roof replacement.
We’ll also provide your insurance company with documentation and an estimate they can use to process your roof damage claim.
Contact Atlas Roofing & Siding today to schedule your roof inspection. Insurance may pay to repair roof damage from missing shingles caused by sudden and covered events.
Homeowners insurance may cover roof damage caused by storms, falling objects, or other covered perils.
