A quality roof can last between 20 and 100 years, depending on the type of roofing material you use to cover your house. However, every roof, regardless of the material or quality of construction, is subject to an insurance provider’s scrutiny. This means, that as your roof gets older, two things are likely to happen: your insurance rates are likely to go up, or your coverage is likely to go down.
You can expect to see minor changes in your policy after your roof reaches 10 years of age and more drastic changes once the roof reaches 20 years old. For this reason, you should schedule routine roof inspections and roof maintenance annually to keep your roof in excellent condition. Routine maintenance can also keep your insurance premiums low and may prevent you from filing an insurance claim after a storm.
How Long Does the Average Roof Last?
How long your roof lasts depends on several factors, such as:
- The roofing material (metal, asphalt shingles, etc.)
- Quality of the roofing material
- Whether the roof was properly installed/repaired
- Inspection and maintenance frequency
- Damage due to fire or natural disasters
- Regional climate or weather conditions
The roofing material is one of the biggest factors in how long your roof lasts. For instance, asphalt shingles can last 20 to 30 years. Metal roofs can last up to 50 years. Tile can reach a 100-year lifespan, surpassing the life of your house. Insurance companies may adjust your homeowner’s insurance rates based on the material you use and how long it is expected to last.
Age of Roof and Insurance
The age of your roof does determine whether you can get the insurance that covers your roofing system. Some insurers refuse to renew existing homeowner insurance policies on houses with roofs older than 20 years unless they pass a professional roof inspection. Insurers will not renew a policy that fails inspection without a roof replacement.
Other insurers do not write new policies for homes with roofs over 20 years old. Or they will only pay actual cash value for roof replacement for older roofs when they are damaged. This means they do not cover the cost of an entirely replaced roof but only reimburse for what an old roof is worth after more than 20 years.
How Do Insurance Companies Calculate Coverage?
Insurance companies have compiled data on roofs and roofing material over several decades. Your insurance carrier has detailed data on how long your roof is expected to last, the most common causes of roof-related claims, and which types of roofs are most resistant to fire or storm damage. Having the funds available to pay for claims is entirely dependent on the insurance company collecting the right amount in premiums.
If your insurance company can predict which roofs are subject to an insurance claim, they can increase premiums for risky policies so that they can pay out when you file a claim. If the insurer sends you a notice to replace your roof, it is because the age of your roof is now a major factor in whether you can get insurance coverage.
How to Keep Your Roof Insurable
The 20-year rule is not the only criteria that insurers use to assess coverage. Most roofs carry a warranty that lasts 20 to 50 years, depending on the roofing material. Insurance companies also look at the overall condition of the roof, which is determined by how well you have taken care of it over the years.
The best thing you can do to maintain insurance coverage and keep your rates low is to schedule routine roof inspections and professional roof maintenance. A roofing contractor in Florida can identify small issues as they arise before they turn into large problems that affect your roof’s value. Make sure you follow the inspection and maintenance schedule provided by the manufacturer and recommended by your roofing contractor.
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
Quality Roofing offers premier roofing services for homeowners in Florida. Call (850) 753-0041 or fill out the quick form on our contact page to schedule a free roof inspection.
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