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It depends on what caused the leak. Most Texas home policies cover sudden damage, like a storm tearing off shingles or a tree falling on the roof. They usually don't cover a slow leak from a worn-out roof. And near the Gulf Coast, wind and hail may not be part of your regular policy at all.
What does a Texas home policy usually cover?
The Texas Department of Insurance lists what most home policies do and don't cover. Coverage varies by company, so read your own policy or ask your agent.
- Usually covered: fire and lightning, the sudden and accidental release of water, and windstorm, hurricane and hail, except on the Gulf Coast.
- Usually not covered: a continuous leak that went on for a long time, wear and tear, and mold, unless it comes from damage the policy covers.
The state also says you can file a claim if a storm, a tree or something else damaged your roof, but insurers won't pay for a roof just because it is old or worn out.
Does insurance cover wind and hail damage near the coast?
Often not in your regular policy. The state's guide says most policies cover wind and hail, "but not if you live on the Gulf Coast". Many coastal homes have a separate windstorm policy instead, often from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Look at your policy's declarations page: if wind and hail are excluded, the windstorm policy is the one to call after a storm. In La Porte and the part of Pasadena east of SH 146, repairs also follow state windstorm rules.
What about the deductible?
The deductible is what you pay before your insurer pays. Ask your agent whether your wind and hail deductible is different from your other deductible; it often is, and it can be a percentage of your home's coverage amount rather than a set amount.
In Texas it is against the law for a contractor to offer to waive your deductible or to work it into the bid. If someone offers, find another contractor; you can report it to the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508.
Should I call my insurance company about a roof leak?
- Stop the water first. Catch drips, move belongings and get the roof tarped if it is open. Your policy expects you to keep the damage from growing. See emergency repair and tarping.
- Take photos and notes. The ceiling, wet spots, the roof from the ground, and the date of the storm.
- Find the cause. If a storm or a falling limb caused it, a claim may make sense. If it is a slow leak from an old pipe boot or worn flashing, it is usually a repair you pay for, and it is often a small one. See roof leak repair.
- Compare the damage with your deductible. If the repair costs less than your deductible, a claim won't pay anything.
- Don't wait too long. Some policies give you one year to file a claim.
How long does the insurance company have to answer?
Texas law gives your insurer 15 business days to tell you it has received your claim, then 15 business days after it gets what it needs from you to decide. It can take 45 more days if it tells you why. If it rejects your claim, it has to tell you why in writing. If you have a problem with your insurer or adjuster, the Texas Department of Insurance Help Line is 800-252-3439, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How do insurers pay for roof repairs?
Policies pay either replacement cost (what the repair costs today) or actual cash value (that cost minus wear and age). Some companies switch older roofs to actual cash value at renewal, so check your renewal papers. With replacement cost, the insurer often pays in two checks: the first up front, the rest after repairs have started.
More answers: What is the 25% rule for roofing? · How do you know if a roofer is good?. Or go back to roof repair in Baytown.