Homeowners Insurance & Your Roof in Clarksville, TN

actual cash value. They thought hail damage was covered, but their policy had a cosmetic

damage exclusion.

We have been working with insurance companies in Clarksville since 2003. We have seen every

type of policy. We know the common exclusions. We know what to look for on your

declarations page. We have helped homeowners navigate claims with State Farm, Allstate,

USAA, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, and a dozen smaller carriers.

This article explains homeowners insurance and roof coverage in Clarksville. Read your policy.

Then call us if you have questions. (931) 666-1469.

What Homeowners Insurance Covers (and Does Not)

Let us start with what is covered. Most standard policies cover "sudden and accidental"

damage from "covered perils." On roofs, the relevant perils are:

- Wind. Straight-line winds, tornadoes, hurricanes. If wind tears o shingles or lifts the roof

deck, covered. This includes the spring thunderstorms that roll in o the Red River.

- Hail. Almost always covered. But some policies exclude "cosmetic" hail damage (dents

that do not cause leaks). Read your policy. For Clarksville, where hail is common, this matters.

- Fire. If a re damages your roof, covered.

- Falling objects. Tree branches, debris from storms. Covered. But if the tree was dead and

you knew it, they may deny for neglect.

- Weight of ice or snow. Ice dams are often covered. But the water damage from ice dams is

covered; the cost to remove the ice dam may not be.

Now what is not covered:

- Wear and tear. Aging, granule loss, curling shingles. That is maintenance, not insurance.

Your roof is expected to wear out over time.

- Neglect. If you ignored a leak for years, not covered. If you failed to clean your gutters and

water backed up, not covered.

- Mold or rot. Unless caused by a covered peril (like a storm that tore o shingles and

allowed water in). If the mold is from long-term humidity, not covered.

- Poor workmanship. If your roof was installed badly, that is on the roofer, not insurance.

This is why you hire a licensed, insured roofer.

- Cosmetic damage. Dents in gutters that do not a ect function may be excluded. Some

policies specifically exclude cosmetic hail damage to shingles.

The big one is actual cash value vs replacement cost. Actual cash value (ACV) policies pay

the depreciated value of your old roof. If your roof is 15 years old and has a 20-year lifespan,

you might get 25% of replacement cost. Replacement cost policies pay for a new roof minus

your deductible. Replacement cost is much better. Check your policy.

Fort Campbell families, USAA is a common carrier for military families. They have excellent roof

coverage (usually replacement cost). We have worked with USAA for years.

How to Read Your Policy (Step by Step)

1. Find your declarations page. This is the summary at the front of your policy. It lists your

deductible, coverage limits, and policy type.

1. Look for "dwelling coverage." This is the amount your insurance will pay for your roof

(and the rest of your house). Make sure it is enough. A typical Clarksville home costs $250,000

to $350,000 to rebuild. Your dwelling coverage should re ect that.

1. Find "wind/hail deductible." Some policies have a separate, higher deductible for wind

and hail. It might be 1 percent or 2 percent of your home's value instead of a at $1,000. On a

$300,000 home, 1% is $3,000. That is a big difference.

1. Look for "replacement cost" or "actual cash value." This is critical. It may say "RCV" or

"ACV." If it says ACV, consider upgrading.

1. Check for exclusions. Look for "cosmetic damage exclusion" or "wear and tear

exclusion." Some policies exclude "intermittent leaks." Read the ne print.

1. Call your agent. Ask directly: "Is my roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash

value?" Ask: "What is my wind/hail deductible?" Ask: "Are there any exclusions for roof

damage?" Write down the answers.

We can also help you interpret your policy during our free inspection. Bring your declarations

page.

Why You Need a Roofer Who Understands Insurance

Insurance companies have their own interests. They want to pay as little as possible. They will

look for reasons to deny or reduce your claim. A roofer who understands insurance can help

you navigate this.

We know the adjusters. We know the software they use (Xactimate). We know the tricks they

pull (depreciating items that should not be depreciated, missing line items, using wrong

pricing). We will not let them lowball you.

We also know which carriers are di cult. Allstate is known for denying hail claims. State Farm

can be slow. USAA is generally good but requires documentation. We have experience with all

of them.

For Fort Campbell families, we have worked with USAA, GEICO, Liberty Mutual, and others.

We know their specific processes.

Frequently Asked Questions