How Old is Your Roof? Understanding Roof Age, Insurance, and Your Costs

In the Midwest, we know that a home is only as strong as the roofing protecting it. However, many homeowners don't realize that their roof has an "expiration date" in the eyes of insurance providers, even if you don’t have current issues with your roof!

While a well-built roof can last a long time, there is a point where maintenance and simple repair are no longer enough to keep you covered in the eyes of insurance carriers.

At Midwest Storm Company, we believe that being proactive is the best way to protect you financially. It’s your right to submit a claim or request an inspection from your insurance company, a process we are highly experienced with.

Here’s some helpful information for understanding roof (homeowners) insurance:

How to Tell the Age of Your Roof

If you didn’t own the home when the current shingles were installed, you might be guessing. Here are a few ways to determine the age of your roof:

• The "Granule" Test: Check your gutters. If they are filled with colored sand (granules), your shingles are shedding their protective layer and reaching the end of their life.

• The Visual Check: Curling edges, "bald" spots, or cracked shingles are signs of a roof that is likely 15+ years old.

• Public Records: Most roofing projects require a local permit. You can check with your city building department to see when the last permit for a full replacement was pulled.

How Insurance Companies Determine Your Roof's Age

You might think your roof's age is a secret, but carriers have sophisticated ways to track it. They often use:

1. High-Resolution Satellite Imagery: Tools like EagleView allow insurers to see the condition and texture of your shingles from year to year.

2. Historical Databases: Insurance companies share data. If a previous owner filed a claim or had an insurance inspection, that data stays attached to the address.

3. Physical Insurance Inspections: If a policy is up for renewal, a carrier may send an inspector to look for signs of "wear and tear" that suggest the roof is past its prime.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait: The Insurance "Age Rule"

Waiting too long for a replacement can be a costly mistake. Many insurance companies have strict rules regarding age:

• The 15-Year Pivot: Many carriers are now switching policies from "Replacement Cost" to "Actual Cash Value" once a roof hits 15 or 20 years. This means they will only pay a fraction of what a new roof costs.

• Non-Renewal Risk: If your roof is deemed too old, your insurance company may refuse to renew your homeowner's policy entirely until a full replacement is completed, which comes out of your pocket.

• Denial of Claims: If a storm hits an old, brittle roof, an adjuster may argue that the damage was caused by "neglect" rather than the storm, leading to a denied claim.

Why Choose a Proactive Partner?

Don't wait too long and find yourself 100% on-the-hook for a roof replacement. We’d be happy to come take a look at your roof and provide a roof-health report to determine your next steps.

As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, we represent the top 1% of roofers in the industry. This elite status allows us to offer the best warranties and ensures that your replacement meets the highest standards of quality.

Our customer reviews speak for themselves: we take the stress out of the process by providing a free inspection and a detailed free estimate so you know exactly where you stand.

Call us at (888) 247-5572 or visit MidwestStormCompany.com to get started.