Does insurance cover storm damage to my roof in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin homeowners policies generally cover sudden storm damage from hail and wind, subject to your deductible. They generally do not cover wear and tear, age, poor maintenance or slow leaks. Claims usually must be filed within one to two years of the storm date, so documenting damage early matters.
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Typically covered
- Hail impact damage to shingles and roof-mounted metal
- Wind-lifted or missing shingles
- Damage from a fallen tree or branch
- Resulting interior water damage from a covered event
Typically not covered
- Shingles that have simply reached the end of their life
- Damage worsened by deferred maintenance
- Long-term leaks that were visible and left alone
- Cosmetic-only damage, under some policies with a cosmetic exclusion
Actual cash value vs replacement cost
This is the detail that surprises people. A replacement-cost policy pays what a new roof costs today. An actual-cash-value policy subtracts depreciation for the age of your roof, which on a 20-year-old roof can be most of the payout. Check which one you have before you need it.
Documenting a claim
Note the storm date, photograph every side of the house and every dented piece of metal, keep any interior photos, and save receipts for emergency tarping. A dated, photo-backed roof check makes a much stronger file than a description over the phone.
Related questions
- Will filing a claim raise my premium?
- A single weather claim in an area-wide storm event is treated differently from repeated claims, but rates vary by insurer. It's a fair question to ask your agent before filing.
- Should I sign a contract with a roofer before my claim is approved?
- Be careful. Wisconsin homeowners have specific rights to cancel storm-damage repair contracts tied to an insurance claim. Read anything you are asked to sign in the driveway.