Will Insurance Cover Storm Damage on an Older Roof? What to Do After Damage and How to Proceed
Homeowners across Orlando know summer skies can turn fast. A ten-minute squall off Lake Apopka can drive hail across College Park, and a band of straight-line winds over Conway can flip shingles like playing cards. After a storm, the first question many owners of older homes ask is simple: will insurance cover storm damage on a roof that has seen two decades of sun, heat, and afternoon downpours? The answer depends on policy language, the roof’s age and condition before the storm, and the quality of documentation after the event. With the right steps, many owners do secure coverage, even with older roofs. The key is to act quickly, document clearly, and bring in a local roofer who knows how carriers evaluate storm claims in Orange County.
Hurricane Roofer works roofs every week in Orlando neighborhoods from Baldwin Park to Dr. Phillips and Winter Park. The team sees the same patterns: damage that looks minor from the driveway hides saturated underlayment, and policies that seem clear get murky without the right photos, measurements, and code references. This article lays out what affects coverage on older roofs, what to do in the first 48 hours, and how to move a claim from inspection to funded repair. It also explains why searching “storm damage roof repair near me” brings better results when the roofer is Orlando-based and code fluent.
How insurers look at older roofs after a storm
Carriers start with three factors: the stated peril, the roof’s age and condition before the storm, and the policy form. Wind and hail are typically covered perils. Water that entered because a wind-driven opening allowed rain inside is usually covered. Long-term wear, rot, prior leaks, or poor maintenance are not. That difference sits at the center of most disputes.
Age matters, but it is not a veto. Many Orlando homes run 18 to 25 years on architectural asphalt shingles. Insurers often apply actual cash value on roofs beyond a certain age, which means they pay the depreciated value emergency roof repair rather than full replacement cost. A 22-year-old shingle roof could see 50 to 80 percent depreciation on materials depending on the policy and the carrier’s schedule. Labor is often paid closer to current cost. Some policies do include replacement cost for roofs up to a set age. Endorsements vary by carrier and year.
Condition before the storm also enters the picture. If a pre-existing leak or brittle shingles show neglect, an adjuster may attribute part of the loss to wear. On the other hand, clear directional creasing, fresh granule loss trails, torn ridge caps, and impact fractures point to a new event. A roofer trained to separate storm-created openings from old age helps here. On older roofs, that line can be thin without proper test squares, slope-by-slope photos, and mechanical lift inspections over eaves and valleys.
What counts as storm damage in Central Florida’s climate
Orlando roofs see three common storm mechanisms: uplift from high winds, hail impact, and wind-driven debris. Uplift breaks seal strips and creases shingles along the butt edge. On older shingles, the asphalt layer can fracture under the surface. Hail leaves circular bruises, granule loss, and soft spots that give under finger pressure in the first 24 to 48 hours, then harden into fractures. Debris impact, such as snapped oak limbs over Colonialtown, can puncture decking or crush pipe boots.
Water intrusion often follows damage in ways that are not obvious right away. A lifted shingle along a north slope may not drip for a week until the next heavy rain. Satellite dishes, solar mounts, and older skylight curbs take the brunt of crosswinds and are common entry points. Underlayment matters too. Older 15-pound felt tears easier and can allow water to track laterally. Florida Building Code now expects underlayment improvements on replacement, and insurers write checks every day that bring a roof up to current code through ordinance and law coverage when it applies.
Why older roofs still qualify after a storm
Insurers owe for sudden and accidental damage. If wind created new openings or hail fractured the mat, that meets the standard regardless of age. The debate shifts to how much is owed: repair of slopes versus full replacement, depreciated materials versus replacement cost, and whether code upgrades apply. A roof with limited remaining life may still qualify for full slope replacement if repairs will create a patchwork that fails manufacturer guidelines. For instance, many shingle manufacturers state that sealing old and new shingles together can be unreliable when the old field is heavily granule-depleted. On older roofs, that mismatch can justify replacing entire slopes.
Local precedent also matters. Carriers working in Orange and Seminole counties know the approval patterns after named events and severe hail days. Claims that include credible test squares, elevation maps of collateral hits on soft metals, and photo narratives of creased tabs are more likely to move smoothly. Hurricane Roofer structures that evidence set on day one so the adjuster sees storm-driven damage, not generalized age.
The first 48 hours after the storm
The clock starts at first safe daylight. Quick action protects the home and helps the claim. A homeowner can take photos, cover openings, and call a local roofer before the adjuster ever arrives. In Orlando’s humidity, wet decking can mold in days, and repeated afternoon showers will spread damage across drywall and insulation.
Here is a short, practical sequence to follow after wind or hail in Orlando:
- Photograph every slope from the ground, then from a ladder if safe. Include close-ups of shingles, ridge, vents, gutters, and soft metals like A/C caps.
- Photograph the yard for fallen limbs, blown shingles, and hailstones next to a tape measure or coin.
- Place a tarp over obvious openings or call for emergency dry-in. Keep receipts for reimbursement.
- Note interior spots, ceiling stains, damp carpet, or attic drips with time stamps.
- Contact a local roofer for a same-day inspection before filing the claim, and ask for a written damage report with photos.
Those five steps work across roofs of all ages, but they help older roofs the most because they anchor the sudden event and reduce the “wear and tear” argument.
Filing the claim on an older roof: small details that matter
On the call to the carrier, use clear language tied to the storm date and the cause. “High wind lifted shingles on the south slope and water entered the living room ceiling” is better than “roof leak.” Save the claim number and the adjuster’s contact details. Ask whether emergency mitigation is authorized and whether the policy requires a specific vendor for drying or tarping. Many policies reimburse for reasonable temporary repairs even before the adjuster visit.
Hurricane Roofer encourages homeowners to schedule the roofer’s representative to be on-site during the adjuster inspection. That presence keeps the conversation focused on storm indicators, not age alone. It also allows slope-by-slope review, chalk testing, and immediate answers to code questions. For example, in Orlando, self-adhered underlayment in valleys and over eaves can be required on replacement. If the home has gable vents and no ridge vent, the roofer can show how balanced ventilation will be brought to code and priced accordingly under ordinance and law when the policy includes it.
Repair or replace: how adjusters decide on an older roof
Adjusters look at the number and distribution of hits or creases per test square, usually ten-by-ten feet. They assess whether repairs will compromise the field due to brittleness and age. If a slope fails a repair test because shingles crack when lifted, a full slope replacement is often warranted. Mixed slopes happen on homes near Lake Nona where one side bears the brunt of wind and the leeward side remains intact.
On a 20-year-old roof, a small repair can create future leaks if the shingles no longer reseal or if nails cannot bite solid decking due to dry rot around old vents. A thorough roofer will check decking with a moisture meter and mark soft spots. That level of detail helps argue for decking replacement where needed, which is a separate line item from shingles.
The wildcard is granule loss. Heavy hail can strip granules across large areas, reducing UV protection and accelerating aging. Even if the mat is not fractured, widespread granule loss can justify replacement. This is where collateral hits on gutters and A/C fins and fresh piles of granules in downspouts help tie loss to the storm, not the calendar.
Deductibles, depreciation, and what owners of older roofs actually receive
Florida policies often carry windstorm deductibles as a percentage of Coverage A, usually 2 to 5 percent. On a $350,000 dwelling, that means $7,000 to $17,500 out of pocket before the carrier pays. On older roofs with actual cash value terms, the first payment may reflect depreciation. Once the roof is replaced and the invoice submitted, recoverable depreciation may be released if the policy allows it. Some policies use non-recoverable depreciation on roofs older than a set age, often 15 years. Owners should ask directly: is roof coverage ACV or RCV, and is the depreciation recoverable?
Even with depreciation, owners often find value in moving to a new roof because insurers offer better renewal terms when the roof is within the first half of its service life. Orlando insurers track age at underwriting. A fresh architectural shingle or metal system can change premiums or at least stabilize them in a volatile market.
Code upgrades and Florida Building Code: why it matters in Orlando
Roof replacement in Orlando must meet current Florida Building Code. That includes secondary water barriers in many cases, upgraded underlayment, proper fastener patterns, drip edge color matching to local standards, and balanced attic ventilation. Older roofs rarely meet these standards. If the policy has ordinance and law coverage, the carrier pays for the code-required additions triggered by a covered loss, separate from basic replacement cost. Many owners miss this and leave money on the table.
Hurricane Roofer’s estimates line-item code items with references so adjusters can approve them. That list can include lead boots upgraded to code, replacement of rusted turtle vents with ridge venting and baffles, and step flashing at walls where older construction used mastic alone. On older homes in Audubon Park and Edgewater Drive, chimney counterflashing often requires masonry work. Good scoping surfaces that early so there are no surprises mid-build.
Why “storm damage roof repair near me” should point to a local Orlando roofer
Search results matter when the tarps are flapping. A local roofer understands microclimates and building departments. Lake-effect gusts around Ivanhoe or open fetch winds over East Orlando produce specific damage patterns. Inspectors in Orange County look for particular underlayment and valley treatments. Out-of-area crews may miss those cues, and claims suffer when scopes do not match local practice.
A local Orlando team also moves faster. Hurricane Roofer can be on-site the same day in Conway, SoDo, or Winter Garden. The company coordinates with adjusters who work these neighborhoods daily. That speed reduces interior water damage and supports coverage by showing prompt mitigation.
What a thorough inspection looks like on an older roof
A proper inspection avoids guesswork. The roofer should walk every slope, chalk test squares on windward faces, and check ridge caps, valleys, penetrations, and wall flashings. They should pull at least one shingle to examine fastener placement and mat condition, and they should probe decking at eaves and around vents. In the attic, they should check for daylight at nail holes, wet insulation, and sheathing stains aligned with roof penetrations. Moisture readings should be logged and time stamped. Drone photos help on steep slopes in Thornton Park and Belle Isle where safe access is limited.
Owners should expect a written report the same day with 20 to 60 photos, a summary of storm indicators, a repairability assessment, and a recommendation on whether to file a claim. On older roofs, repairability often hinges on brittleness. If shingles crack under gentle lift, patching will fail. The report should document that with clear photos.
Timelines Orlando homeowners can expect
After a major wind event, carriers get swamped. Still, with an organized claim, many owners see the first inspection within 3 to 7 days. Approval can follow in 1 to 3 weeks if the scope is straightforward. Material lead times vary. Architectural shingles are usually available within days. Specialty colors and metal can take 2 to 4 weeks. Once materials arrive and weather cooperates, most single-family homes complete in 1 to 3 days.
If another storm hits while waiting, keep tarps tight and request supplemental inspection for new damage. Carriers usually assign a separate claim for a second event. Detailed logs and updated photos matter in those scenarios, especially on older roofs where losses can stack.
Preventing claim denials on older roofs
Denials often cite wear, lack of maintenance, or late reporting. Maintenance records help. Simple logs of prior repairs, gutter cleaning, and small fixes like replacing cracked boots show responsible ownership. Quick reporting also helps. Waiting months after a storm invites questions. Finally, contractor selection makes a difference. A roofer who brings calibrated hail gauges, chalk testing, and code references puts the claim on solid ground.
Owners can also request reinspection if the first adjuster missed damage. Independent engineers sometimes enter the picture, but that can lengthen timelines. A clean, organized file with clear storm indicators remains the fastest path to approval.
The human side: what owners in Orlando share
Homeowners in Pine Hills and Maitland often share the same story. The roof looked fine from the street. Inside, a faint yellow halo spread across the ceiling after the second storm that week. A quick call to a roofer led to a ladder check that found lifted shingles tucked beneath a lifted ridge cap. The shingle field felt brittle. The roofer documented twelve creased tabs per square on the south slope, soft bruising in the first day after hail, and water entry around a 20-year-old pipe boot. The claim paid for full replacement of two slopes and partial repair of a third with code upgrades. The owner paid a $6,000 wind deductible and received a new roof system built for Central Florida weather. Premiums stabilized at renewal.
Another case in Lake Underhill involved metal flashing crushed by a fallen limb. The roof was 24 years old. The adjuster first called it wear. The roofer’s photos showed bright, fresh metal scrapes and a clean break in the shingle mat aligned with the limb’s trajectory. The carrier approved replacement of the impacted slope and the ridge, with additional funds for decking replacement after tear-off revealed rot at a valley. The owner received depreciated materials initially and the recoverable depreciation after final invoice.
Why Hurricane Roofer is the call after storms in Orlando
Hurricane Roofer serves Orlando and nearby communities with same-day inspections, detailed reports, and code-accurate estimates. The team handles emergency dry-ins, meets adjusters on-site, and documents storm indicators in a way carriers respect. On older roofs, that experience matters. Repair is proposed when it will hold. Replacement is pursued when manufacturer guidelines and safety point that way. The company knows Orlando’s building officials and the Florida Building Code updates that affect pricing and approvals.
Homeowners searching “storm damage roof repair near me” should look for a neighbor on the ladder, not a post office box two counties away. Fast tarping, accurate scoping, and clean photo sets prevent small openings from becoming big claims. For roofs in College Park, Conway, Dr. Phillips, Winter Park, Lake Nona, and everywhere in between, the fastest path from storm to stable roof runs through a local expert who does this work every week.
Ready for a clear answer on coverage?
If a storm just moved through and the roof is older, there is no need to guess. A free, local inspection will show what the carrier will likely cover, what needs temporary protection today, and what to expect from deductibles and depreciation. Hurricane Roofer schedules same-day visits across Orlando, documents what the adjuster needs, and gets repairs underway before the next afternoon thunderstorm tests the roof again.
Call Hurricane Roofer – Roofing Contractor Orlando FL to book an inspection now. The team serves Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, College Park, Dr. Phillips, SoDo, Baldwin Park, Lake Nona, and nearby areas. The aim is simple: stop the leak, secure the coverage, and rebuild the roof to current code so the next storm becomes a non-event.
Hurricane Roofer – Roofing Contractor Orlando FL provides storm damage roof repair, replacement, and installation in Orlando, FL and across Orange County. Our veteran-owned team handles emergency tarping, leak repair, and shingle, tile, metal, and flat roofing. We offer same-day inspections, clear pricing, photo documentation, and insurance claim support for wind and hail damage. We hire veterans and support community jobs. If you need a roofing company near you in Orlando, we are ready to help. Hurricane Roofer – Roofing Contractor Orlando FL 12315 Lake Underhill Rd Suite B Phone: (407) 607-4742 Website: https://hurricaneroofer.com/
Orlando, FL 32828, USA