Everything You Need To Know About An Insurance Roof Inspection

Whether you’re dealing with a damaged roof or looking to get a new insurance policy, an insurance roof inspection is an absolute must. While it may seem like an unimportant step in the process, a professional inspection can have a dramatic impact on your insurance coverage. 

If your insurance company requested an insurance roof inspection report, you’re most likely wondering why are they forcing you to inspect your roof and what the inspection will entail. 

To put your mind at ease, we’ll provide you with all the information about roof inspections and their role in your insurance-related matters. 

What is a Roof Inspection?

A roof inspection is an evaluation of a roof conducted by a certified inspector that examines the structural integrity of the roof and confirms if there are any signs of decay or damage. 

There are various reasons why having an objective report on the condition of the roof is useful. For starters, with a professional roof inspection, you can catch any minor issues early, which means you can significantly increase the overall lifespan of your roof. Consequently, this also helps maintain the energy efficiency of the roof and prevents the warranty from being voided. 

In the context of insurance, a roof inspection can help keep your insurance premiums low, which is an absolute lifesaver if you’re looking to save some extra cash. 

Types of insurance Roof Inspection Services

A roof inspection is performed to pinpoint any signs of existing roof damage. However, different types of roof inspections may help you in your insurance-related matter. Here at Guardian Angel Inspections, we offer the following insurance roof inspection services:

• Wind mitigation inspection
• Roof certification

Wind Mitigation Inspection

Almost every home in Florida has been built with some wind-mitigation features that help protect the home from rain and heavy winds typical of a tropical storm or a hurricane. Homeowners who schedule a wind mitigation inspection and confirm the presence of such features can qualify for considerable discounts on their insurance premiums. 

By adding new features to the roof and home informed by the wind mitigation, you can unlock even more discounts, which is a selling point for such inspection. However, it goes past just the money savings. Strengthening your home also helps keep your family safe in the event of a weather catastrophe. 

It’s worth noting that a wind mitigation inspection also covers other areas of your home, such as windows and other openings. Yet, because most of the hurricane-resistant features are situated in the roof area, many people categorize wind mitigation as an insurance roof inspection.

Roof Certification

Normally required by the insurance company for original roofs at the end of their life expectancy, a roof certification is an inspection conducted by a licensed inspector. It entails checking the roof for damage and producing a report with an evaluation of the overall condition of the roof, along with photographic evidence and recommendations on repairs. 

Since it’s done on old roofs, a roof certification usually helps confirm whether your roof has “any life left” so that your insurer can help determine if you’re still eligible for coverage. 

Why do Insurance Companies Request Inspections?

It’s fairly simple: 

Even roofs that were constructed using the best materials don’t last forever and will eventually start deteriorating. This is especially true for roofs in areas such as Florida, where weather conditions border on the extreme. Thus, insurers will request an inspection so they can minimize their financial risk while also maximizing their profits. 

The older the roof, the higher the likelihood that it will develop issues that could lead to instances of damage in your home. This means that the potential claim could jeopardize the insurer’s financial gains.

So whenever you apply for a new policy or want to renew an existing one, there is a high chance that the company will request a roof certification inspection to confirm if your roof is in good condition (the wind mitigation inspection is strictly performed on the homeowner’s behalf and is completely optional).

Some of the circumstances that may trigger an inspection request from the insurer include:

• Your roof just turned 20 years
• Insurer is suspicious of a lack of repairs or subpar maintenance
• You replaced your roof or replaced some of the old roofing materials
• You’re taking out a new insurance policy on an old home

While the premiums you end up paying will depend on the age and overall condition of the roof, the quality and the type of roofing materials used will also play a major role in the overall premium amount. 

For instance, poorly built roofs that use cheap materials will cost more to insure, and so will the roofs that already have a history of repairs. This is why we always recommend scheduling a wind mitigation inspection together with an insurance roof inspection to help bring down the cost of premiums. 

What do Roof Inspections Generally Include?

In general, a roof inspection will more or less cover the following three areas:

1. Structural inspection

The inspector will determine the overall condition of the roof structure by checking for signs of sagging and uneven roof plains. In addition, they’ll assess the state of the fascia, gutter system, and the soffit. If you have a chimney, they’ll also inspect it for cap damage, crumbling grout, and any cracks that may be affecting its structural integrity. 

1. Material inspection 

Next, it’s necessary to check for curled, loose, or missing shingles in addition to finding signs of water damage, granule loss, rust stains, and mold growth. 

1. Interior inspection

The inspection isn’t limited only to the exterior of the roof. To gauge the condition of the overall structure, the inspector must also inspect the attic, ceilings, and interior walls for signs of past water damage.

It’s worth noting that the wind mitigation inspection may follow a similar checklist but will mostly be focused on weather-resistant features on the roof. 

Keep Your Insurer Happy!

Now that you know a bit more about different insurance roof inspection services, it’s time to decide who you will trust to inspect your roof. 

Guardian Angel Inspections is by far the best choice for citizens of Southeastern Florida. All of our inspectors are licensed and insured, have years of experience under their belts, and are dedicated to providing you with the best service money can buy.

Keep your insurance company happy - use our contact form or call 561-512-7854 to schedule an insurance roof inspection now.