So your roof's looking rough, or maybe a storm just rolled through and left a few shingles in your neighbor's yard.
Your gut says:
"No biggie—I'll just file a claim. That's what insurance is for, right?"
Hold that thought. Because filing a claim might cost you more than it saves you—and we're not just talking about deductibles.
Let's walk through the numbers and think like a financial analyst, not just someone looking to pass the buck to their insurance carrier.
Gone are the days of $500 roof deductibles and high fives.
Today, most homeowners are seeing:
$2,500 flat deductibles
Or worse: 1%–2% of your home's insured value
In Lexington, KY, the average home is worth around $345,000 according to Redfin. That means:
1% = $3,450
2% = $6,900
That's your money—gone—before insurance pays you a dime.
Here's where it really gets dicey: age-based depreciation.
Most carriers no longer pay full replacement value (RCV) for older roofs. They're shifting to actual cash value (ACV) schedules—especially for roofs older than 6–10 years.
Take Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) as a real example:
Once your shingle roof hits 6 years old, they start depreciating the material portion
By year 18, your reimbursement may be only 40% of material cost
They still pay 100% of labor—but your check may be smaller than expected
You've got an 18-year-old roof. A contractor quotes $10,000 to replace it.
Here's what insurance might do:
Roof age: 18 years
Payout: 40% of material cost = $4,000
You still owe: $6,900 deductible (2%)
Now combine the numbers:
Total insurance payout: $4,000
Your deductible: $6,900
Net result: You paid $6,900 to get $4,000
You could end up spending more by filing than by paying out of pocket.
Filing a claim often means:
Losing your claim-free discount (usually $150–$300 per year)
Triggering a rate increase at renewal—especially if you've filed another claim recently
The average homeowner is already seeing a 30% premium increase nationwide—without filing a claim.
Now throw a roof claim on top? You could easily add $1,000 or more per year to your premium moving forward.
Here's the part most people don't hear until it's too late:
If you've filed two or more claims in the last three years, many carriers will flag you as high-risk.
That can lead to:
Significant premium hikes
Non-renewal or policy cancellation
Difficulty switching carriers, since your claim history is tracked in national databases like CLUE
And yes—roofing claims are one of the biggest red flags in underwriting.
So before you file, stop and ask:
Have I already filed one claim recently?
Will this one put me over the line?
Is it worth risking future rate flexibility for a small payout today?
In many cases, preserving your clean record is the smarter financial move.
Here's the good news: You have options. And some of them are smarter than filing a losing claim.
If your credit is strong, you may qualify for 0% interest financing for 12–24 months. That means you can stretch out the cost without paying a dime in interest—and keep your insurance history clean.
Other smart options:
HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit): Typically 6–9% interest, with flexible terms
Installment plans through your roofing company—just ask what they offer
Sometimes it makes more sense to pay for the roof like a home upgrade, not a catastrophe.
Many carriers offer discounts for new roofs—especially with upgraded, impact-resistant shingles.
Depending on the carrier, you could save up to 20% annually.
If your policy is $2,000/year, that's $400 in savings every year. Over 5 years? That's $2,000—without filing a claim or paying a deductible.
We'll inspect your roof, break down your options, and walk you through claim vs. cash vs. financing—no pressure, no sales pitch.
Schedule a free roof evaluation today. We'll shoot you straight so you can make the smartest move for your home and your wallet.
When it comes to roof claims, most contractors understand shingles—not policies.
But our founder, Christian Moore, spent 15 years in the insurance industry—including 7 years owning one of the top-performing agencies in the state.
He didn't just sell coverage—he trained teams, reviewed thousands of claims, and helped families make financially sound decisions every day.
That means you're not just working with a roofer. You're working with someone who speaks insurance fluently and can help you:
Break down your deductible and depreciation
Understand ACV vs. RCV from the carrier's point of view
Decide whether a claim is financially wise—or not
Avoid rate increases or policy issues down the road
This isn't about filing or not filing.
It's about making the best decision for your home and your long-term finances—with someone who knows both sides of the conversation.