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Project Background
Ellen in Central Houston was surprised when she received a notice from her insurance company stating that her homeowner’s policy could be canceled or non-renewed because of the age of her roof.
The roof was approximately 15 years old and had never leaked. She had not experienced any major storm damage and had kept up with routine maintenance. From her perspective, the roof was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.
However, many insurance companies have become more cautious about older roofs and may require homeowners to replace them to maintain full coverage.
Concerned about losing her insurance coverage, Ellen contacted Rose Roofing for a professional evaluation.
What We Found
During our inspection, we found that the roof was generally performing as expected for its age.
Our findings included:
- No active roof leaks
- Normal wear and tear consistent with a 15-year-old roof
- Aging shingles with moderate granule loss
- Minor maintenance items that could be addressed
- No significant wind or hail damage
While the roof was still functional, it was approaching the age where some insurance carriers began to limit coverage or refuse renewal altogether. The roof had another 3-5 years of life remaining.
The Homeowner’s Concern
Ellen’s biggest concern wasn’t a roof leak—it was losing her homeowner’s insurance.
Without adequate insurance coverage, homeowners can face challenges with mortgage requirements, future claims, and obtaining affordable policies.
She wanted to know whether repairing the roof would satisfy the insurance company or whether replacement would be the better long-term solution.
Our Recommendation
After reviewing the roof’s condition and discussing the insurance company’s requirements, we explained Ellen’s options.
Although repairs could address minor maintenance concerns, there was no guarantee that the insurance carrier would continue coverage based solely on repairs.
Given the roof’s age and the insurance company’s position, Ellen decided that replacing the roof would provide the most certainty moving forward.
A new roof would:
- Help satisfy insurance underwriting requirements
- Improve the home’s protection against future weather events
- Increase curb appeal and property value
- Provide manufacturer and workmanship warranties
- Open the door to additional insurance options
The Solution
Rose Roofing installed a complete new roofing system using Owens Corning Duration Driftwood shingles (130 mph wind rating) and updated roofing components.
The installation included:
- Removal of the existing roofing materials
- Inspection of the roof deck
- New synthetic underlayment
- New flashing where needed
- New architectural shingles
- Final quality-control inspection
Our team completed the project efficiently and ensured the property was protected throughout the process.
The Outcome
With her new roof installed, Ellen was able to provide documentation to her insurance company showing that the roof had been replaced.
The new roof helped eliminate concerns related to roof age and gave her more flexibility when shopping for insurance coverage.
In addition to maintaining coverage, homeowners in similar situations may qualify for lower premiums, improved coverage options, or have the ability to move to a different insurance carrier that prefers newer roofs.
Most importantly, Ellen now has peace of mind knowing her home is protected by a new roofing system backed by warranty coverage.
What Homeowners Can Learn
Many homeowners assume that if a roof isn’t leaking, it doesn’t need to be replaced.
While that may be true from a performance standpoint, insurance companies often evaluate roofs differently. In some cases, roof age alone can affect eligibility for coverage.
If you’ve received a notice from your insurance company regarding an older roof, don’t wait until your policy is canceled.
A professional roof inspection can help you understand your roof’s condition, explore your options, and determine whether repairs or replacement make the most financial sense for your situation.
Every insurance company has different guidelines, but having accurate information about your roof is the first step toward making an informed decision.
