Insurers Are Pushing Roof Costs Onto You Before Storm Season
A new federal rule let insurers shift roof-replacement costs to homeowners, hitting just as hail and hurricane season heats up.
Your roof is your home's first line of defense, and right now insurers are quietly making sure it's also your biggest financial liability. Thanks to a new federal rule, insurance companies have gained the ability to shift roof-replacement costs directly onto homeowners — and the timing couldn't be worse. Hail season is already here, and hurricane season is ramping up fast.
Here's the ugly situation you're stuck in: If a storm shreds your roof and you file a claim, you're likely looking at a premium hike that could cost you for years. But if you skip the claim and pay out of pocket, you're writing a big check with zero help from the insurer you've been paying all along. Neither option feels fair, because honestly, neither one is.
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This is the kind of policy shift that flies under the radar until a storm rolls through your neighborhood. Most homeowners won't know they're exposed until they're already standing in a damaged kitchen with water dripping from the ceiling. By then, the choices are painful. The insurer wins either way — they collect your premiums and either avoid the payout or justify raising your rates after a claim.
If you haven't reviewed your homeowners policy recently, now is the time to pull it out and look hard at your roof coverage terms. Understand whether you have actual cash value versus replacement cost coverage on your roof — that difference alone could mean thousands of dollars out of your pocket after a major storm. Don't wait for the damage to find out where you stand.
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