Will homeowners insurance cover roof replacement?

Answer 1

It depends on why your roof needs replacement. Bear in mind that your property insurance policy is "Hazard and Accident Insurance", and not a home warranty or home maintenance policy.

If your roof was damaged by a covered peril such as wind, hail, lightning, etc, Then your homeowners insurance would cover the cost of repair subject to your deductible of the damaged portion. It would only replace the entire roof if your policy has replacement valuation and the roof was damaged beyond the ability to repair it.

If your roof is just old and has reached it's life expectancy then it is not covered under your homeowners insurance policy. That would be a normal expected maintenance expense incidental to home ownership. Composition shingle roofs for example have a rated life expectancy of about 20 to 25 years. After the roof has reached it's life expectancy it is considered to have depreciated to zero value and therefore non-insurable.