Tag: home

The weather in Birmingham brings plenty of challenges. Heavy rain, hail, high winds, intense heat, and even tornadoes all take a toll on your roof. If your roof is 15 years old or older, it has already experienced its share of abuse. Over time, that wear and tear affects both your home and how your insurance company views your coverage.

Living under an aging roof can lead to home insurance issues you may not expect. As your roof gets older, it becomes a concern for insurers, which can affect what they are willing to cover.

Why the Age of Your Roof Matters to Your Insurance Company

Insurance carriers evaluate risk objectively, and an older roof presents more risk. A roof that is 15 to 20 years old is more likely to be damaged during severe weather, increasing the risk of a claim.

Once your roof reaches a certain age, many Alabama insurance carriers adjust how they handle roof claims. Instead of paying for a full roof replacement, some companies may only pay the depreciated value at the time of the loss. That difference can significantly impact your out-of-pocket costs if a major storm damages your roof.

At Magic City Insurance Group LLC, we have seen many homeowners surprised to learn that their roof is no longer covered as they expected.

Your Older Roof and Birmingham Weather

Birmingham sits in an area known as Dixie Alley, which experiences more severe thunderstorms and tornadoes than much of the country.

Summer heat and humidity also break down roofing materials over time. Spring storms often bring hail and heavy rain. Fall storms can cause additional damage. A newer roof can withstand more of this, but an older one may no longer hold up. Insurers understand this and adjust coverage accordingly.

What You Can Do If You Have an Older Roof

Start by scheduling a professional roof inspection. If the inspection shows your roof is still in good condition, that documentation may help support your insurance coverage.

You can also explore the Strengthen Alabama Homes program. Through this initiative, the Alabama Department of Insurance offers grants to help homeowners upgrade to a FORTIFIED roof. This designation can also qualify you for discounts on the wind portion of your insurance premium.

Review Your Policy to Make Sure Your Roof Is Covered

Understanding the condition of your roof helps you make informed decisions about repairs, upgrades, and your home insurance coverage. Magic City Insurance Group LLC, serving Birmingham, AL, can help you review your policy so you understand exactly where you stand and what steps you may need to take.

Liability lawsuits can happen for a range of reasons, from a dog bite to someone slipping and falling on your sidewalk. In most cases, your home insurance in Birmingham, AL, can help. It’s crucial to understand how insurance works when there’s a lawsuit to make sure you have proper coverage. 

Liability Coverage

Most policies automatically include personal liability coverage. Liability coverage will cover bodily injury and property damage that happens to someone else if it’s your fault. This doesn’t cover your personal bodily injury or property damage, though. 

Most liability policies will provide coverage for a legal team or settlement against you. They also set aside a certain amount for bodily injury to cover the victim’s medical bills. 

Coverage Limits

Every policy has coverage limits, including the liability portion of your homeowners insurance policy. An agent at Magic City Insurance Group LLC can help you learn more about what your policy does and doesn’t cover. 

If there are damages that exceed your coverage limits, you’ll be responsible for paying the difference. For example, if bodily injury coverage is $50,000, but medical bills are $80,000 and the victim refuses to take a settlement check, you are then responsible for the difference of $30,000. 

Umbrella Insurance

Many people opt for a personal umbrella policy to help protect their assets. Umbrella policies offer additional liability coverage that will kick in if a lawsuit exceeds your current coverage limits. For example, in the previous scenario, the umbrella policy would pay the difference instead of you. 

We understand how stressful lawsuits can be and how complex insurance is. Agents at Magic City Insurance Group LLC are here for you. We’ll help walk you through the process. Contact us to learn more. We’re currently serving Birmingham, AL.