Here’s What You Need To Know About Roofs When Buying A Home
Roofs are always a hot topic in real estate, so we spoke with insurance expert Chris Huebener with Brightway Insurance about everything you need to know about roofs when buying a home.
Here are the three main things when it comes to roofs:
- Age of the roof.
- Condition of the roof.
- Life left of the roof.
Insurance companies have their hands full with frivolous roof claims so many are taking a hard stance. Some companies are saying they won’t insure a roof that’s over ten, fifteen, or twenty years old. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get your roof covered. Many carriers are still covering roofs up to thirty years old.
Not surprisingly, an insurance company’s decision on a roof often depends on what the inspection says about the roof. An inspection will help determine the overall condition of a roof. Inspection results include how old the roof is as well as the suspected life expectancy of the roof. Things inspectors look for include whether shingles are peeling up, or if there is a tree next to the roof that’s dumping leaves and branches on it which will make it deteriorate faster.
Pro tip – if you get a new roof, consider getting a wind mitigation inspection. It costs a little extra but it can save you a lot of money on your homeowners insurance.