Is Your Roof Coverage Enough After a Storm?
October 16, 2026
For many homeowners, the biggest insurance surprise doesn't happen at renewal time.
It happens after a storm, when they learn their coverage isn't what they thought it was.
“One thing that I think is key for everyone to recognize is 10, 15 years ago, there was tremendous similarity between different policies for different companies,” said Todd Glover of Todd Glover’s State Farm Agency in Manitowoc. “The world of homeowners insurance has dramatically changed.”
Because of those changes, homeowners who haven't reviewed their policy in years may be carrying significant gaps in coverage without realizing it.
The biggest area of concern? Roof coverage.
Glover discussed roof coverage and other home insurance topics on the latest episode of the “At Home on the Lakeshore” podcast with UnitedOne Credit Union’s Local Home Loan Experts.
*The views and opinions expressed by the homeowners insurance agents quoted in this article and podcast are their own and do not constitute an endorsement by UnitedOne Credit Union. You are encouraged to evaluate your own individual needs and seek guidance from insurance professionals before making any decisions.
When it comes to roof coverage, Glover said it’s important for homeowners to understand the difference between replacement cost coverage and actual cash value coverage, especially when it comes to wind and hail damage to a roof.
“If you have replacement cost coverage and there's a covered cause of loss and you need a new roof, we're going to pay for a new roof, less your deductible,” Glover said.
That sounds like what most people expect from insurance.
However, many insurers have shifted to actual cash value coverage for roofs.
“What that means is if you need a new roof,” Glover said. “Instead of getting the replacement for the full value, we're going to give you 30 cents on the dollar, less your deductible.”
For many homeowners, that can be an unpleasant surprise.
Imagine a storm damaging your roof, and the replacement cost is $30,000.
Under a replacement cost policy, your insurance company could cover the full replacement cost minus your deductible.
Under an actual cash value policy, the payout is based on the age and condition of your roof. If your roof has depreciated significantly, you might receive only a portion of the replacement cost and be responsible for the remaining balance yourself.
As Glover points out, “You need to come up with 30 grand, but you may have a check for 10 grand or 12 grand (from insurance).”
That gap could leave a homeowner paying tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket after a storm.
This issue becomes even more important in areas where wind and hail claims are common.
“With respect to weather, it's not an if, it's a when in our state,” Glover said about Wisconsin.
Many homeowners focus on coverage for fires, theft, or other disasters. However, some policies provide replacement cost coverage for certain losses while handling roof claims differently.
That's why it's important to review the details of your policy before you ever need to file a claim.
The good news is that a policy review can often uncover these differences before they become expensive surprises.
“If you have not sat down with a professional and had them go through your home policy in the past couple years, I would really highly recommend that you do so,” Glover said.
A simple conversation can help answer important questions. Is your roof covered under replacement cost or actual cash value? What deductible applies to wind and hail claims? Are there endorsement options available to improve coverage? And perhaps most importantly, how much would you realistically pay out of pocket after a major storm?
Insurance is designed to protect homeowners from catastrophic financial losses. But that protection only works when you understand what your policy actually covers.
Before the next severe storm rolls through, take a few minutes to review your policy and ask your agent one simple question:
If my roof is damaged by wind or hail tomorrow, what exactly would my insurance company pay?
The answer could save you thousands of dollars when you need help the most.
Remember, whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to refinance, UnitedOne’s Local Home Loan Experts in Manitowoc and Sheboygan can help point you in the right direction with all of your home loan needs.