Roof replacement and insurance claims

When a roof is damaged, one of the first questions is whether insurance will help. This guide covers the general basics. It is not legal or financial advice. Your policy wording, and your insurer, decide what is covered.

Sudden damage versus wear and tear

Home insurance policies generally treat two kinds of roof problems differently:

• Sudden events, such as a storm, hail, or a falling tree.
• Gradual wear and tear, such as tiles wearing out over many years, rust, or ridge bedding cracking with age.

Many policies cover some sudden events and exclude gradual wear and tear. That is why the cause of the damage matters, and why insurers often ask for an inspection report or quote that describes it.

What to do after damage

1. Make it safe. Keep people away from fallen debris and off the roof.
2. Take photos and video of the damage outside and any water damage inside, before anything is moved.
3. Prevent further damage where you safely can, such as moving belongings away from leaks. Insurers usually expect reasonable steps to limit damage.
4. Contact your insurer early and ask what they need from you.
5. Keep records of any emergency work, receipts and conversations.

How a roofing quote helps

Insurers often ask for a quote for the work. A useful quote:

• Describes the damage found and where it is
• Sets out the scope of work clearly
• Separates storm damage from existing wear where possible
• Itemises the price

We can inspect your roof and provide a written quote you can send to your insurer. We describe what we found honestly. We do not tell insurers what they should pay, and we cannot promise what a claim will cover.

When a full replacement comes up

Sometimes storm damage is limited to part of the roof, but the rest of the roof is old and worn. In that situation, an insurer may cover the damaged part, and you may decide to replace the whole roof at the same time at your own cost. Doing it all at once can make sense, because the crew and equipment are already there.

Talk to your insurer about what they will cover, and ask for the quote to show the storm damage separately from the rest of the work.

Check your contractor

Whoever does the work, check that they hold a current licence for it. In Queensland you can search the QBCC licence register. For larger residential jobs, ask about Queensland Home Warranty Scheme cover. The QBCC Home Warranty page explains when it applies.

In short

• Your policy and your insurer decide what is covered
• Document damage early and thoroughly
• A clear, itemised quote helps the process
• Check licences before work starts

If your roof has been damaged, we can inspect it and give you a written quote to send to your insurer.