Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Damage in Missouri?

What homeowners insurance usually covers

After a hail or wind storm, the first question is usually "Will insurance cover this?" Often, yes. How much depends on what caused the damage, how old your roof is and what kind of policy you have. Here's how it works in Missouri, in plain English.

Most standard homeowners policies cover sudden, accidental damage to your roof, including:

• Hail
• Wind, including straight-line winds
• Trees or large limbs that fall on the roof
• Fire

What they generally don't cover is damage from age, wear and tear or a lack of maintenance. Flooding isn't covered by a standard homeowners policy either. If hail hits a roof that was already worn out, the insurer may cover only part of the claim, or none of it.

Replacement cost vs. actual cash value

This is the part of your policy that matters most for a roof claim. Missouri's Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) points out that some policies cover full replacement, while others depreciate the roof based on its age.

• Replacement cost value (RCV) pays what it costs to replace your roof today, minus your deductible.
• Actual cash value (ACV) subtracts depreciation for the roof's age first, so older roofs get less.

Here's a simple example. Say a storm ruins a $12,000 roof that's 10 years into a 25-year life, and your deductible is $1,500:

An illustration only. Your insurer figures depreciation its own way.

Many replacement cost policies pay in two parts: the depreciated amount first, then the rest once the work is finished. DCI has a free roof insurance guide that walks through the options.

Know your deductible

Your deductible is what you pay before insurance kicks in. Some policies have a separate deductible for wind and hail, often set as a percentage of your home's coverage instead of a flat dollar amount. On a home insured for $300,000, a 1% wind and hail deductible is $3,000. Check your declarations page so the number doesn't surprise you.

Missouri rules every homeowner should know

Missouri passed a law in 2011 (Senate Bill 101) to protect homeowners after storms. Two parts matter most:

• No deductible deals. Roofing, siding and other exterior contractors can't offer to pay or rebate your insurance deductible to win your business. If someone offers to “cover your deductible,” that's a red flag.
• No negotiating your claim. Repair companies can't negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. Be wary of anyone who calls themselves an “insurance claims specialist” and promises to get you more money.

If you have trouble with a claim, DCI's free Insurance Consumer Hotline is 800-726-7390, and you can file a complaint at insurance.mo.gov.

How to file a roof claim, step by step

1. 1
   Stay safe and look from the ground

   Don't climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Check for shingle pieces in the yard, granules in the gutters, and dents on gutters, downspouts and AC units.
2. 2
   Photograph everything

   Take dated photos and video of the house, the yard and any water spots inside. Write down the date of the storm.
3. 3
   Prevent more damage

   Tarp the roof or cover openings to keep water out, and keep the receipts. Your policy expects you to protect the home.
4. 4
   Report the claim promptly

   Call your insurer or use their app. Most policies require prompt notice, so don't wait.
5. 5
   Hold off on permanent repairs

   Let the adjuster inspect first. If you make permanent repairs before then, your insurer may not reimburse you.
6. 6
   Get a local roofer to inspect

   Have an established local roofer document every slope, and ask them to be there when the adjuster comes out. That’s how damage gets found instead of missed.
7. 7
   Review the estimate

   Go through the adjuster's estimate line by line. If something was missed, share your roofer's photos and documentation with your insurer. Most policies also have a process for settling disagreements.

How KPro helps, and what we won't do

We follow Missouri law, so we never offer to pay your deductible and we don't negotiate your claim. Here's what we do instead:

• A free, thorough inspection with photos of every slope
• A written, itemized estimate
• A project coordinator who meets your adjuster on the roof, so damage doesn't get missed
• A roof installed right, with the manufacturer's warranty and our 5-year labor warranty

Learn more about our insurance claim support, or read what to do in the first 24 hours after a storm.