Insurance Coverage vs Warranty Coverage: Which Is Better for Roof Damage After a Wind Storm?

Are you concerned about the damage to your roof after a wind storm and wondering which type of coverage to turn to? Are you confused by both your insurance and warranty coverage and want to know when it’s best to use them?

At RoofSmart, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners just like you repair or replace your roof after a wind storm. Our thorough inspection process that looks beyond the roof helps us determine the extent of the damage and what kind of coverage is most appropriate to fix it.

In this article, you’ll learn about the difference between homeowner’s insurance and a manufacturer’s warranty and the scenarios when each type of coverage is most beneficial for you.

By the end, you’ll understand what each type of coverage is for and you’ll be able to decide if homeowner’s insurance or a manufacturer’s warranty will get you better coverage for the storm damage to your roof.

What coverage does my roof get with homeowner’s insurance?

Homeowner’s insurance is meant to offer coverage in case a sudden, unexpected event damages your roof. Typically this includes coverage for damage from events like this:

• Wind storms
• Snow storms
• Fire
• Something hitting your house

There are more events and types of damage that insurance covers, but these are the most common in the Greater Seattle area.

If your roof gets damaged in any of these situations, then you can file a claim and your insurance will either partially or fully cover costs for repairing the damage (this depends on their assessment of your house).

What coverage does my roof get with a manufacturer’s warranty?

Mainly, a manufacturer’s warranty gives you coverage if damage to your roof is caused by a manufactured defect in your asphalt shingles. This is rare, but it can happen sometimes. For example, if you notice that your shingles have lost most of their granules after only a few years, then that is usually a sign of a defect.

Manufacturer’s warranties might also include coverage for things aside from damage. For example, many manufacturers include a wind warranty that guarantees coverage to replace shingles that blow off at certain wind speeds.

However, there are a lot of exclusions that can void coverage on your warranty. If you do file a claim for wind damage, the manufacturer will need to determine that there were no other pre-existing issues that contributed to the damage.

Insurance Coverage vs Warranty Coverage: When Is Each One Ideal?

This section will name a series of scenarios you might find yourself in after discovering damage on your roof after a windstorm. The pros and cons of insurance and warranty coverage will be weighed and a winner will be decided in each category.

You’ll notice that insurance coverage wins in most of these categories. This article is not meant to persuade you to only use insurance coverage. This article demonstrates the usefulness of insurance coverage in a variety of situations to help you understand when it might be most helpful to you.

1.) You need coverage for impact damage

Winner- Homeowner’s insurance

Because there are so many trees in the Greater Seattle area, impact damage is a legitimate concern during a windstorm. We see it all the time!

If you have damage from a branch or a tree that blew over and damaged your roof, then you’ll want to turn to your homeowner’s insurance because it is not limited to covering just the roof or just one kind of damage.

Manufacturer’s warranties typically only cover shingles being blown off in the wind. They exclude pretty much all kinds of impact damage from their warranty because, so they can’t help you in this situation.

So if a branch or a tree got blown over and fell on your house and smashed through it, you’d likely have damage to the roof, the trusses, and the ceiling. In addition, you might have damage to your windows, walls, and siding.

A manufacturer’s warranty won’t cover any of that, but you have a way better chance of getting full coverage from homeowner’s insurance.

2.) You do not have asphalt shingles

Winner- Homeowner’s insurance

Homeowner’s insurance will provide you with coverage for any kind of roof you have. The type, age, and condition of your roof can impact how much coverage you get, but it will still provide you with at least some coverage when your roof is damaged in a wind storm.

Manufacturer’s warranties for shingles really only exist for asphalt shingles. Metal roofs are typically covered under a paint warranty (which has nothing to do with wind). So, if you do not have an asphalt roof then you don’t have any added protection from a warranty.

3.) Your roof is more than 10 to 15 years old

Winner- Homeowner’s insurance

Homeowner’s insurance differs from a manufacturer’s warranty because it does not stop coverage for wind damage after 10 to 15 years (or however long it is provided). Although you can run into different coverage issues if your roof gets too old, you’ll still get at least partial coverage after 10 to 15 years with insurance.

With a manufacturer’s warranty, once the coverage period is over you lose that coverage. The coverage period will vary depending on the manufacturer, but it is typically 10-15 years.

4.) The damage to your shingles is minimal and only a few are missing

Winner- Manufacturer’s warranty

If you notice that there are a few missing shingles on your roof, a manufacturer’s warranty will probably cover the damage. This would be a convenient option if you have a high deductible for your homeowner’s insurance and your claim was denied because the damage is so minimal.

If you still want to try for coverage, your manufacturer’s warranty is a good option here.

How do I decide which option is best for me?

In the end, it is up to you to decide which coverage option you want to pursue. It is rare to see someone use the manufacturer’s warranty for wind damage. Most often, our customers file a claim with their homeowners’ insurance company.

Both types of warranties have their pros and cons. But, based on this comparison, you’re far more likely to get the coverage you need from your homeowner’s insurance because the coverage for wind damage lasts longer and is much more comprehensive.

Protecting Your Home After a Windstorm: What to Do Next

When it comes to fixing roof damage after a windstorm, having a clear understanding of your coverage options can save you time, stress, and money. Homeowner’s insurance provides comprehensive coverage for unexpected events, while a manufacturer’s warranty can help in very specific, minimal-damage situations.

Are you ready to file an insurance claim for damage to your roof but feeling unsure where to start? Read our article “4 Steps For Filing An Insurance Claim For Roof Damage After a Storm” to learn how to file a claim the right way and what happens after you submit it.