An Indiana homeowners policy generally responds to sudden damage to a roof from wind and similar events, and generally excludes wear, neglect and damage that builds up over time. Ice damage is treated under the same kind of test: a sudden event or a gradual one. Which damage a particular policy covers, and what it pays, depends on the policy and on the insurer. The Indiana Department of Insurance handles consumer complaints about insurers.
Key takeaways
- A homeowners policy generally covers sudden damage from wind and similar events, and generally excludes wear, neglect and gradual deterioration.
- The policy and the insurer decide what is covered and how much is paid. A general guide cannot say what a particular policy will pay.
- A dated record with photographs of each slope, the eave, the attic and the metal parts is the basis of a claim.
- Steps to prevent further damage, such as a tarp, are commonly expected after a loss, and they should be recorded.
- Complaints about how a claim is handled can go to the Indiana Department of Insurance, whose consumer pages are at in.gov/idoi.
What does a homeowners policy generally cover for a roof?
A homeowners policy generally covers the dwelling against sudden and accidental losses, and a windstorm is usually such a loss. The policy's wording sets the coverage, and some perils are named while others are excluded.
The dwelling part of a homeowners policy usually covers the house, including the roof, against losses from a list of causes. Wind and similar storm events are commonly among those causes, but the wording of the policy governs how they are covered and on what conditions.
Exclusions are the other half of the picture. Wear and tear, gradual deterioration, neglect and poor maintenance are generally excluded. An insurer that denies a roof claim usually points to one of those exclusions, and the policy wording shows which applies.
How is ice damage treated compared with wind damage?
An ice dam or a freeze-thaw leak is generally weighed on the same question: whether the damage came from a sudden event or from gradual wear. The record should show which, and the insurer decides under the policy.
A joint that a single freeze and thaw opened is different from a roof that has been leaking for years. The inspection records the dating of the damage as far as it can be known, and it says plainly where the dating is uncertain.
An ice dam that formed because of a poorly sealed attic may be treated as a maintenance issue under some policies. The homeowner should read the policy and ask the insurer directly how ice damage is handled, and get the answer in writing.
What endorsements and separate coverages can change the answer?
Some policies carry endorsements or separate coverages that change how roof damage is valued or paid. Whether any of them apply is a question for the insurer and the policy.
An endorsement is added to a policy to change its coverage. A homeowner who has an endorsement for roof surfaces, wind or hail should read it, because it can change how the roof is valued and paid.
This guide does not describe any specific endorsement or limit, because the wording differs between insurers and between policies. The homeowner should ask the insurer and get the answer in writing.
What should be photographed and kept after a storm or an ice event?
Photograph the damage from the ground with the date, keep the original files, and keep the inspection report, the repair invoice and any receipt for temporary protection. Those are the documents an insurer will ask for first.
Photographs of the whole house, each side, the gutters, the vents and any fence or window that was struck are useful. Close shots of each dent or split help an adjuster match the damage to the event, and the phone's date should be on.
The inspection record is the next layer. It counts the hits by slope, records the attic findings and notes the metal parts and the eave. Keep it with the photographs and give a copy to the insurer if a claim is opened.
Some homeowners in Indiana discover that their policy has a roof surface or a wind and hail provision that changes how a claim is valued. The homeowner should read the declarations page and any endorsement, check the roof's age as the policy records it, and ask the insurer to confirm in writing how the roof will be valued.
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Dated photographs from the ground | Shows the damage as it was found, before it was cleaned up |
| Inspection report by slope | Shows where and how much damage there is on the roof |
| Attic findings with photographs | Shows water and warm air that have got past the covering |
| Storm or ice record for the address | Places the damage in time and ties it to the event |
| Temporary protection receipt | Shows that reasonable steps were taken to prevent more damage |
| Repair invoice and scope | Shows what was repaired and what was left |
| Policy and the insurer's letters | Shows the terms that apply and the decisions made |
| Notes of calls and visits | Shows who said what and when, if a dispute arises |
Do you have to protect the roof after the damage?
Policies commonly expect the homeowner to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a loss, such as a tarp over an open section. The steps should be recorded and the receipt kept, because the insurer may ask for them.
A tarp or a temporary seal is one of the most common steps. It keeps the next rain or thaw out while the permanent repair is planned, and most policies expect something of the kind. The policy sets the exact terms, and this guide does not say what a policy requires.
A temporary cover is not the permanent repair. The inspection report should say what was covered temporarily, when, and what still needs repair. That record protects the homeowner if the insurer asks what was done and when.
What does the insurer's adjuster usually do?
An insurer usually sends an adjuster to inspect the damage and estimate the repair. The adjuster's findings and the insurer's decision are separate from the homeowner's record, and the two can differ.
The adjuster walks the roof or the property, takes photographs and writes an estimate. The homeowner can be present, point out the damage in the record and ask about anything the adjuster does not mention. Notes of the visit and the adjuster's name should be kept.
If the findings differ from the homeowner's record, the difference should be raised in writing. A short letter that lists the items in dispute, with the photographs, is a clear way to ask the insurer to review them.
What if a claim is denied or the payment seems low?
Ask the insurer for the reasons in writing, check them against the policy, and provide any missing evidence. If the answer is still unsatisfactory, a complaint can be made to the Indiana Department of Insurance.
The denial letter should name the reasons and the policy provisions the insurer relied on. Read those provisions and compare them with the record. A missing photograph or an unclear date is often the reason a claim is disputed, and the record can fill the gap.
The Indiana Department of Insurance takes consumer complaints about insurers. Its consumer pages at in.gov/idoi explain the complaint process and its form. The department reviews complaints and does not set the value of a claim, so the homeowner should keep the claim letters and the record ready when filing.
A claim that is disputed often turns on a small number of facts: the date of the damage, the cause, and whether the damage is covered or excluded. A record that answers those three questions clearly, with photographs and a dated note, gives the homeowner the strongest position for the discussion that follows.
Who pays for what on a roof claim?
The homeowner pays the deductible and any costs the policy does not cover, and the insurer pays what the policy provides for covered damage. The policy states the deductible and the terms, so it is the document to read.
A deductible is the amount the homeowner bears before the policy pays, and it is set by the policy. Some policies have separate deductibles for storms, and the policy states them. This guide does not state any amount or any waiver.
Costs the policy does not cover, such as wear or upgrades to a newer material, are usually the homeowner's to bear. The repair estimate should separate covered work from upgrades, so the homeowner can see what the insurer is being asked to pay for.
Frequently asked questions
Does a homeowners policy always cover wind damage?
Not always. Wind damage is commonly covered as a sudden loss, but the policy wording and the insurer decide what is covered. Read the policy and ask the insurer for the terms in writing.
Will wear and tear be paid?
Wear and tear is generally excluded, and gradual deterioration is not usually paid as a sudden loss. The inspection record should show what is storm damage and what is wear.
Do I need to report the damage right away?
Notify the insurer as soon as practical after the damage, and keep a record of when you did so. The policy sets its own conditions, and this guide does not state any deadline.
Can an inspection record be used in a claim?
Yes. A dated record with photographs of each slope and the attic supports a claim. It does not decide the claim, which the insurer and the policy decide.
Who do I contact if I think a claim was handled unfairly?
The Indiana Department of Insurance takes consumer complaints about insurers. Its pages at in.gov/idoi explain the process. Keep the claim letters and the record ready.
Can a technician tell me what my policy will pay?
No. The technician records the roof and sets out the repair. The policy and the insurer decide what is covered and paid, and the homeowner should ask the insurer for that answer in writing.
Can I use my own contractor's estimate in a claim?
Yes. A written estimate from the company that does the work can support the claim, and the insurer may send its own estimate for comparison. The homeowner should keep both and ask the insurer to explain any difference in writing.
Sources
- Indiana Department of Insurance, consumer services
- National Weather Service, Indianapolis office
- National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database
This guide is general information for Marion County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.