Neighbor News
Wildfire Awareness - Know whether your insurance provider covers
With wildfires on the West coast, it's important to know whether your roof is covered from fire, smoke, hail, or wind damage.
In many Western states, this year has had a record-breaking fire season that has consumed hundreds of thousands of acres from Montana to California. Some fires have been blazing for over six months, with many homes left damaged or destroyed, leaving many that are coping with the damage emotionally and financially drained.
Any homeowner doing any kind of construction or renovation needs to know the facts before you engage with a contractor, to determine which products or policies will protect your home. If you're a homeowner, it's important to consider the following:
1. Know the damages that can affect the quality of your roof: rain, hail and strong winds can all affect the durability of your roof and damage the shingles. Even when it isn't hailing, your roof can weaken and become compromised as a result of years of harsh winds and debris impact. If your roof isn't properly sealed and maintained, water and snow can also leak in and weaken the roof's foundation, leading to mold. And if you live in an area within several miles of wildfires, your roof can be damaged from the ash and smoke left behind, causing your roof to warp, shift or appear discolored.
Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Know what parts of your home your insurance provider covers: providers may cover your home from flooding or storms – but not all home insurance providers will cover your roof as a result of fire damage. While the claim may cover some of your home, they usually do not cover all, due to the uncertainty and potential damage associated with roofing. The only way to know for sure is to contact your provider to learn the specifics of your policy.
3. Find an insurance plan that covers your whole roof – labor, shingle deterioration and damages from fire and wind: few plans cover your roof, and even fewer provide total protection. CertainTeed's SureStart Plus 5-Star Coverage will protect your whole roof. CertainTeed will cover 100% of the cost to repair or replace defective shingles, cover the labor associated with repair, and ensure peace of mind and satisfaction if your roof is harmed. Purchasing roof insurance when you purchase CertainTeed's Arcadia Shake and other roofing products is a smart investment.
