Normal wear and tear is when your roof naturally begins to degrade or deteriorate as a result of age, exposure to the elements, and/or other variables like damage from individuals that may have broken tiles or shingles by improperly walking on the roof at some point. Most insurance policies have a specific exclusion for damages that occur as a result of age-related wear, tear and deterioration. Moreover, most policies have coverage terms which require that a “covered peril” (such as wind) first creates an opening in the roof by which water then travels to create the leak experienced in the interior of the property.
Property insurance typically protects against wear and tear like plumbing and roof leaks, weather-related fire, smoke, wind, water and lightning damage, and damage like a tree falling on your roof. Furthermore, crimes like vandalism and theft, as well as medical claims for injuries sustained on your property, are also commonly covered. Always be mindful, however, that your insurance may cover some weather events and not others, so always check the fine print and see exactly what’s covered.
Though property insurance generally covers hurricane damage, some might be surprised to learn that a claim against a specific type of hurricane-related damage has been denied due to it being omitted from general coverage—for example, if you live in a floodplain, rain damage may be covered, but flooding damage might not be. Always ask your insurance agent, at the time of purchasing the policy, to explain in detail what coverages the policy affords, the applicable limitations (if any), and what the applicable exclusions and/or endorsements to the policy are; e.g. does the policy carry the option to repair.
