After-storm roof maintenance tips from an insurer
Updated May 23, 2025 . AmFam Team
Homeowners normally spend between $392 - $1,929 on roof repairs, with a national average of $1,150 (Angi). While home insurance was designed to help should you experience a covered loss, insurance companies often do not cover damages resulting from wear and tear or neglect.
Performing regular roof maintenance, both before and especially after a storm, may help you avoid premature and unexpected damage. It may also help ensure your roof remains covered by your insurer.
Regular roof maintenance saves you money
Homeowners insurance typically helps cover storm-related roof damages, but neglecting a few missing or loose shingles after bad weather may cause the spot to worsen over time.
While replacing shingles can be a hassle, failing to perform regular roof maintenance can result in neglect-related damages, which insurance companies do not typically cover.
Whether you inspect your roof yourself or hire a professional, the following guide may help you locate and address roof damages before and after a storm. A well-maintained roof often lasts longer.
Did you know?
Neglecting leaves and debris on your roof could eventually cause premature damage to your home (Mills, 2023).
How to check your roof for storm damage
Homeowners typically leave roof inspections to professionals. However, those opting to perform their own assessments may use the following tips to keep their roofs performing at their best.
Inspect your roof (can do this from the ground)
Roof maintenance tip 1
Evaluate the trees surrounding your home. Clear overhanging branches that could cause mold, mildew and water damage.
Roof maintenance tip 2
Inspect the gutters, drains and downspouts. Remove leaves and debris that may prevent water from flowing away from your home.
Roof maintenance tip 3
Look at your roof. Consider using a pair of binoculars: note and address piles of leaves, moss, dented or missing shingles and other signs of damage.
After-storm roof maintenance tips by event type
Hiring a professional to clean your roof is the safest option. They can address several issues in one visit and help you prevent damage as the seasons change.
Consider the following solutions if performing your own roof maintenance:
Leaves and debris
Leaf blower or roof rake
Ice dams
Roof rake, calcium chloride or heat cables
Snow
Roof rake, calcium chloride or heat cables
Wind
Look for missing, lifting, cracked or loose roofing materials. If found, call a professional.
Hail
Look for cracked, separated or missing roofing materials. If found, call a professional.
Moss
Spray moss killer. After moss dies, can use roof rake to remove remaining debris.
Damages to look for by roof type
Contact your roofer if you spot the following damages categorized by roof type. Acting quickly may help prolong the life of your roof while potentially maintaining its insurability.
Asphalt-shingles
Missing, lifting or cracked shingles
Clay tile
Missing, chipped, cracked or separated tiles
Metal shingles
Dented, rusty, cracked or loose shingles
Wood shingles
Missing, cracked, dented, chipped shingles
Slate tile
Missing, cracked or loose tiles
Concrete tile
Cracked, chipped, missing or loose tiles
What to do if you find roof damage
Addressing roof damage after a storm helps your roof remain insurable, minimizes repair costs and helps prevent future damage. The longer you wait, the more damage may spread. Moreover, repair costs typically increase with time.
If you find damage, large or small, pay a licensed roofer to inspect and fix your roof.
You should also contact your insurance agent to determine how or if you should proceed with the claims process.
Filing a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage
Collect and prepare the following before filing your homeowners insurance claim.
- Date, time and duration of the event
- Brief description of damages
- Photograph your property damages
When ready, call your American Family Insurance agent, access My Account online or use your MyAmFam app to file your claim.
Visit our home insurance claims guide for more information on the roof-damage home insurance claims process.
Customize your homeowners insurance
Standard home insurance helps meet most policyholders' insurance needs and may cover the following roof-related events up to your coverage limits:
- Fire
- Hail
- Lightning
- Tornado
- Wildfire
- Vandalism
- Weight of ice and snow
- Falling objects, such as a tree
However, damages only qualify for coverage when they are sudden and accidental and not the result of neglect.
Get additional roof-related coverages
Buying additional roof-related home coverages may also help protect you from unexpected losses.
For example, if you need a roof replacement, there will likely be a gap between the amount your insurer will pay and the cost of your roof replacement. Roof damage coverage helps lower your expenses, depending on your selected coverage and limits.
For more information on protecting your roof and home with additional home insurance, ask your American Family Insurance agent if you are eligible for any of the following optional protections:
Frequently asked questions
This article is for informational purposes only and includes information widely available through different sources. This article does not afford, offer, or guarantee any coverage. We do not make any guarantees or promise any results based on this information. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites that may be linked in this article.
References:
Biermeier, D. (2025) How Much Does Roof Repair Cost?. Angi. www.angi.com/articles/how-much-do-roof-repairs-cost.htm
Mills, K. (2023). Broken Down Fallen Leaves: Your Roofs Silent Killer. RoofCrafters. https://www.roof-crafters.com/learn/fallen-leaves-your-roofs-silent-killer
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