What's going on with older roofs in NC
Some insurance carriers in North Carolina are dropping or surcharging homes with aging roofs at renewal. If you've gotten a letter about your roof, you're not alone.
Sometimes the trigger is the year the roof went on. Sometimes it's the roof's condition when someone looks at it. Those two cases play out very differently, so find out which one you're dealing with. Our page on aging roofs and homeowners insurance goes deeper.
What treatment can and can't change
A tune-up and treatment can help with
- Loose shingles and nail pops an inspector might flag
- Flashing seals that have dried out and cracked
- Dry, brittle shingles shedding granules
- Showing that the roof has been kept up
They can't change
- The year your roof was installed
- An age cutoff your carrier may use
- Storm damage that needs a claim
- Shingles that are already past saving
- Your carrier's final decision
Questions to ask your agent
- 01What's the issue?
Is it the roof's age, its condition, or both?
- 02What would you need to see?
Photos, a written report, a receipt for work done?
- 03Does maintenance count?
Would a documented tune-up and treatment change anything on my policy?
- 04What's the deadline?
When does a decision need to be made, and where do I send paperwork?
The paperwork side
Ask us for a written record of the roof tune-up and treatment for your insurance agent. It won't force a yes. It does show the roof has been looked after.
If you're not sure your roof is worth treating, start with a free roof assessment. You'll know if it's a fit before you spend anything.
More questions
Can rejuvenation get me out of a nonrenewal?
Maybe, maybe not. It depends on why your carrier flagged the roof and what they'll accept. Ask your agent first. If condition is the issue, a tune-up and treatment can help. If age alone is the issue, treatment won't change the install year.
Will insurance pay for roof rejuvenation?
Usually not. Rejuvenation is maintenance, and homeowners policies don't usually pay for maintenance. Storm damage is a different matter. Talk that over with your insurance company before any work is done.