You filed an insurance claim after a storm damaged your roof—only to hear back that it’s been denied because of ‘pre-existing’ damage. Now, you’re stuck wondering how you’ll afford repairs and whether your policy is even worth it. Sound familiar?
At RoofSmart, we negotiate with insurance companies to help our customers get the coverage they deserve and have gotten an increase in coverage during our last 100 negotiations. We understand that the claim process can be difficult and frustrating no matter if you’re dealing with your homeowner’s insurance or your manufacturer’s warranty.
Having your insurance claim or warranty coverage denied for pre-existing damage isn’t always the end. In some cases, there are still steps you can take to negotiate for coverage.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How pre-existing damage impacts your insurance policy coverage
- How pre-existing damage impacts your manufacturer’s warranty coverage
- How you can avoid getting denied due to pre-existing roof damage
- What to do if your claim is denied due to pre-existing roof damage
By the end, you’ll know what pre-existing damage is and why it can void your coverage. You’ll also understand how to deal with a denied claim and be able to decide if it’s worth negotiating further.
Will my homeowner’s insurance policy still cover my roof if there’s existing damage?
Insurance policies typically define pre-existing damage as any damage or roof issues that were present before you filed a claim for the current damage.
So, what does this mean? For example, if your roof was leaking for months but you did not report it until a tree fell on your house and damaged your roof, then the insurance company would consider the leak to be pre-existing damage.
If there is proof that the damage happened or existed before the event you filed a claim for, then your insurance company will not cover that specific damage.
Insurance companies deny coverage for pre-existing damage because they expect homeowners to address minor issues before they escalate. If they covered all pre-existing damage, policies would be used to cover neglected maintenance rather than sudden, unavoidable incidents.
Some examples of pre-existing damage that is likely to get denied coverage are:
- Evidence of an old leak (mold or rotting wood)
- Moss
- Multiple patches of missing shingles or areas that were patched up
These issues all stem from damage or problems that occurred a while ago. Mold, rot, and moss all take a long time to form, meaning that they couldn’t have happened while you were reporting damage from a recent event. If you’ve patched up a leak or missing shingles in the past, this demonstrates that there was previous damage and could make your roof a bigger liability for your insurance company.
In a rainy area like Seattle, roof leaks that lead to mold or rot are very common. We also see a lot of moss growth due to constant moisture. This means that as a Seattle area homeowner, you or a roofing contractor must regularly inspect your roof to make sure there are no issues.
Does a manufacturer’s warranty cover a roof with pre-existing damage?
Manufacturer’s warranties are designed to provide coverage if there is a defect or problem with the shingles caused by a manufacturing error. They sometimes also cover workmanship errors.
So, if your shingles have any manufacturing defects that cause problems on your roof, you get coverage from this warranty to make repairs. For example, a defective shingle might lose most of its granules after a few years rather than after 20 years. However, these defects are very rare.
Much like your insurance insurance policy, manufacturer’s warranties have specific exclusions that can void your coverage. One of these exclusions is pre-existing damage.
Pre-existing damage excluded under warranty coverage means there is an issue on the roof that’s not related to a manufacturing defect with the shingle or a workmanship failure.
For example, you might have mold due to improper ventilation. Many manufacturer’s warranties require that your ventilation is up to code, but most roofers don’t work on ventilation.
So if there’s a problem with your ventilation that causes damage to your roof and it never gets fixed to meet code requirements, you’ll be out of luck when the manufacturer sees it. The mold would be considered pre-existing damage that is not related to a defect. Your warranty would be voided.
Moldy attics with improper ventilation are a common problem in the Seattle area. We have seen a lot of older homes that were not updated to meet current ventilation codes, even if they’ve gotten a new roof installed. Poor attic ventilation combined with Seattle’s humidity and rain is the perfect recipe for mold in your attic.
How do I avoid being denied coverage for pre-existing roof damage?
If you truly did not know about the damage to your roof, then try to gather evidence to prove that it was impossible for you to know. Roof damage is tricky because sometimes it can take a very long time for problems to show up. This means that you might not notice everything that’s happening on or around your roof.
When speaking with your insurance agent, do not overshare or accidentally admit fault. Stick to the details that they absolutely need to know about. And, if you did not know about the damage, don’t assume it was already there before you filed your claim.
Make sure that you’re always honest with your insurance agent and that you keep your interactions polite and professional. Treating them with kindness might make them feel more inclined to keep working with you to get better coverage.
For a manufacturer’s warranty, these same tips can apply if the reason you’re being denied is debatable, but this isn’t always the case. For example, damage from improper ventilation is pretty set in stone, even if you didn’t know about it. This will be explored further in the next section.
What do I do if my claim is denied because of pre-existing roof damage?
With all the exclusions and caveats in insurance policies and warranties, it’s possible that your claim might get denied or you might get less coverage than you thought.
In most cases, we encourage you to keep negotiating with your insurance company or the manufacturer if your claim was denied the first time. Your next step is to gather evidence that the damage shouldn’t count as pre-existing OR that you didn’t know about it.
This process is going to look a little different depending on what type of coverage you’re using:
Insurance Coverage
If your insurance coverage is denied, you can bring in a third party to help you gather evidence and negotiate. Here are some options:
- Hire a roofing contractor – They best understand roof damage and can explain why your claim should be covered. It is best to find a roofing contractor who has experience working with insurance companies.
- Consider a public adjuster – They work on a percentage-based fee and are experts in negotiating claims on your behalf with an insurance company.
- Consult with a lawyer – A lawyer can bring in a structural engineer to provide detailed reports about the roof damage that can strengthen your case.
- Demand mediation for negotiations– If you don’t want to do any of the above options, you can also demand mediation or an appraisal from your insurance company based on what’s included in your policy.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Unfortunately, due to how manufacturers define pre-existing damage and the specific exclusions they apply to the warranty, you have less of a fighting chance to get coverage. If your ventilation is not up to code, that’s pretty easy for them to prove and use as a reason to deny you coverage.
In some cases, there is more of a gray area. For example, if there’s a leak in your roof that caused extensive damage, it is possible that it was caused by a defective shingle or a workmanship error. In this case, you should make sure to bring in an experienced roofing contractor who can inspect your roof and help you negotiate with the manufacturer.
Comparison of Insurance Policy vs. Manufacturer’s Warranty Coverage
Here is a comparison table to help you easily review what you get with each kind of coverage. This will help you quickly understand how each type of coverage works and how to negotiate for each one.
| Homeowner’s Insurance | Manufacturer’s Warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| How is pre-existing damage defined? | Damage or roof issues are present before filing a claim for current damage | It’s an issue not related to manufacturing defects or workmanship failures |
| What is covered under this policy? | Covers sudden and unavoidable incidents, not neglected maintenance | Covers defects or problems with shingles caused by manufacturing errors |
| Examples of Pre-Existing Damage | Old leaks, mold, rot, moss, patched shingles | Mold due to improper ventilation, non-code-compliant ventilation |
| Reason for Denial | Homeowners are expected to maintain their roofs and report any issues immediately | Only covers manufacturing defects or workmanship errors, not unrelated issues |
| What do I do if my claim is denied? | Hire a roofing contractor, public adjuster, lawyer, or demand mediation | Bring in an experienced roofing contractor to determine if a defect is present and caused other damage |
| Can you negotiate? | High – It’s possible to negotiate with evidence and third-party support | Low – Limited negotiation opportunities, especially with clear exclusions |
Don’t Let Pre-Existing Damage Cost You—Here’s What to Do Next
For many homeowners, dealing with a denied insurance claim feels overwhelming. You may have assumed your policy would cover your roof damage—only to hear that it’s “pre-existing” and not eligible for repairs. That’s a stressful and expensive situation.
Now that you’ve learned how insurance companies and manufacturers define pre-existing damage, you have the knowledge to prevent claim denials in the future. You know the importance of regular roof maintenance, inspections, and clear documentation.
Are you wondering if there might be another reason your claim was denied? Read our article “4 Reasons Your Roof Damage Insurance Claim Was Denied” to learn about the common reasons why insurance claims are denied and what to do about it.
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