What happens when an older Triad roof is damaged?
Many Triad houses have roofs 15 or more years old, and some older homes have slate. Your policy's loss settlement terms decide whether a storm claim pays for a new roof or a depreciated one.
Last reviewed against official sources. General information, not insurance or legal advice.
Replacement cost coverage pays to replace damaged roofing minus the deductible, usually holding back depreciation until the work is done. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation for age and wear and doesn't pay it back. Some policies use a roof payment schedule by age. Check your declarations and endorsements, and keep proof of the roof's age.
An example
| $16,000 roof replacement, 40% depreciation, $1,500 deductible | Replacement cost | Actual cash value |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | $6,400, paid after work is done | $6,400, not paid |
| First payment | $8,100 | $8,100 |
| Final total | $14,500 | $8,100 |
Illustration only. Your policy decides how deductibles and depreciation are applied.
Proving how old the roof is
Adjusters estimate age when they don't know it. Send proof: a permit record from the City of Greensboro, City of High Point, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County or your county inspections office, the roofer's invoice, a home inspection report or dated photos. A roof that is younger than the adjuster guessed should be depreciated less.
Slate and discontinued shingles
Slate can last far longer than asphalt, so ask how the adjuster set its life expectancy. With discontinued shingles, the question is often whether a repair can match. North Carolina doesn't have a specific matching rule, so it depends on your policy wording; ask the adjuster to explain matching in writing.
Getting held-back depreciation
Finish the work and send the final invoice within the time your policy allows. Ask for the deadline in writing. If roofers are booked after a big hail day, ask for an extension before it runs out.
What does your policy say?
Look for "roof surface payment schedule," an actual cash value roof endorsement or a cosmetic damage exclusion in the forms list on your declarations page. Ask your agent to explain in writing how a roof claim would be paid this year.
Code-required work
If current code requires something the old roof lacked, ordinance or law coverage may pay for it, up to a limit. Ask before work begins.
Repair or replace on an older roof
Older shingles often become brittle. If a roofer can't lift and reseal shingles around a repair without cracking them, a patch may cause more damage than it fixes. Ask your roofer to test a few and photograph the result, and send that to the adjuster when the estimate calls for repairs only.
Frequently asked questions
My roof is 20 years old. Will insurance replace it after hail?
If the hail damage is covered and the policy pays replacement cost on the roof, yes, minus the deductible. If the roof is paid at ACV or on a schedule, you'll get much less.
How do I prove my roof's age?
A permit record, the roofer's invoice, a home inspection report or dated photos.
Is slate depreciated like shingles?
It shouldn't be on the same schedule, since slate lasts much longer. Ask the adjuster what life expectancy they used.
Policies vary. Check your own policy and ask your insurer or agent about anything that affects your claim. Laws and rules can change; this page reflects official sources as of October 29, 2026. RoofingGreensboro.com is not a contractor, insurer, adjuster or law firm.
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