Insurance Claims

Will Insurance Cover a 15-Year-Old Roof After a Storm in Alabama?

By Crimson Roofing Experts•7 Min Read

Quick Answer

Yes, insurance covers old roofs, but the payout depends on your policy type. If a storm damages your 15-year-old roof, a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policy will pay for a brand new roof (minus your deductible). However, if you have an Actual Cash Value (ACV) policy, the insurance company will deduct 15 years of depreciation, meaning you will receive a much smaller check and have to pay the difference out of pocket.

When a severe thunderstorm rolls through Central Alabama dropping hail and straight-line winds, homeowners with older roofs often panic. A common myth is that if your roof is past its prime—say, 15 or 20 years old—the insurance company will automatically deny your claim, blaming the damage on "age and wear."

While insurance companies do look closely at the age of a roof, age alone does not void your storm coverage. If legitimate, sudden storm damage occurred, your policy should respond. However, the age of your roof drastically affects how much the insurance company will pay.

The Golden Rule: Sudden vs. Gradual Damage

Homeowners insurance is designed to cover sudden, accidental damage. It is not a home maintenance policy.

Covered: A microburst rips 20 shingles off your roof, or hail bruises the fiberglass matting.
Not Covered: Your 18-year-old shingles are curling, losing granules, and leaking simply because they are old and worn out.

If your old roof is damaged by a storm, the adjuster's job is to determine what damage was caused by the storm and what damage was already there. This is why having a roofing insurance specialist like Crimson Roofing present during the adjuster meeting is crucial to ensure storm damage isn't incorrectly categorized as wear and tear.

ACV vs. RCV: Why Your Policy Type Matters

If your claim is approved, the age of your roof comes into play through depreciation. How your policy handles depreciation determines your payout.

RCV (Replacement Cost Value)

This is the policy you want. The insurance company pays to replace your old roof with a brand new one at today's market prices.

How it works: They hold back the depreciation initially, but once the work is completed, they release those funds to you. You only pay your deductible.

ACV (Actual Cash Value)

This policy only pays what your roof is worth today. They subtract the value of the years you've already used.

How it works: If a roof lasts 30 years and yours is 15 years old, they deduct 50% of the value. You pay your deductible PLUS the 50% depreciation out of pocket.

The 15-Year Policy Switch

Many homeowners don't realize that some insurance carriers automatically switch roof coverage from RCV to ACV once the roof hits 15 years old. Check your policy declarations page immediately to see if you have an "Actual Cash Value Roof Endorsement."

What to Do If You Suspect Storm Damage

If a storm recently hit your neighborhood and you have an older roof, do not wait to file a claim.

Don't assume it's just old. Hail damage on an old roof looks very similar to blistering (a manufacturing defect). A trained eye is required to tell the difference.
Get an inspection before filing. Filing a claim that gets denied for "wear and tear" still goes on your record as a zero-pay claim. Call Crimson Roofing first. We will inspect the roof for free and tell you honestly if there is enough storm damage to justify a claim.
Act quickly. Most insurance policies have a strict 1-year time limit to file a claim after a storm. If you wait until the roof starts leaking two years later, they will deny the claim.

Not Sure If It's Storm Damage or Just Age?

Don't guess and don't risk a denied claim. Let our insurance specialists perform a free drone inspection to document the exact condition of your roof before you call your insurance company.

Schedule Free Inspection