Replacing a Roof Can Minimize Home Insurance Claims: Materials to Consider
Your home insurance provider wants to know your roof is safe. The roof protects the entire structure. Likewise, problems with it can mean damage throughout the home. Thus, installing the best roof for your home is important. They can offer a variety of benefits beyond insurance savings. Consider these roof materials and how they can help you save money.
Which Roof Materials Should You Consider
The type of roof added to a home can impact your home insurance costs. It also impacts how much it costs to rebuild your home later. Most homeowners should select roofing based on preferences. Yet, you should also choose based on their durability, lifespan, and costs to rebuild. Here are a few to take into consideration.
- Metal Roofs
Metal can be ideal because it is fire resistant and durable. They can be aesthetically pleasing, too. From a home insurance standpoint, metal roofs are often the best. They can drop your costs the most.
- Slate or Tile Roofs
These roofs are more expensive to install. However, they can still be an ideal choice. Slate, for example, is fire resistant. It also does not rot over time. You do not have to do much in the way of maintenance to keep it in good conditions. Tile can crack, though, but it does not burn and cannot rot. These factors can make both products a good option from an insurance point-of-view.
- Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Asphalt is the most common type of roof material used. It is the least expensive option. Most have a long lifespan, but there is a risk of decay over time. They are only somewhat fire resistant, depending on the type. Therefore, you might need to replace the rood more frequently.
- Wood Roofs
Though they look attractive, this type of roof is rarely ideal from an insurance standpoint. There is no way to make them fire resistant enough. Wood roofs, such as shakes or wood shingles, are also expensive to install in some situations. If you use wood, your insurance agent may recommend using a fire retardant on it. That might prove even more expensive.
Home insurance does not cover normal wear and tear to a roof. However, it may cover some repair and replacement cost in situations where hail or a storm damages the structure. Speak to your insurer about the material options that could add more protection to your home. Local building costs and specific brand information can play a role in costs, too.
