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How to Determine the Age of a Roof for Insurance Purposes
When it comes to homeowners insurance, one of the first things your provider will want to know is the age of your roof. Why? Because the older the roof, the greater the risk of leaks, structural damage, and costly claims. Insurance companies use the age of a roof to determine coverage eligibility, policy premiums, and even whether or not your roof qualifies for full replacement cost coverage.
If you’re buying a home, selling a home, filing a claim, or just updating your policy, it’s critical to understand how to determine the age of your roof accurately.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the best methods for determining the age of your roof—and why it matters for your homeowners insurance.
✅ Why Insurance Companies Care About Roof Age
Before we dive into how to find out how old your roof is, it helps to understand why insurance companies care so much:
- Risk of Failure: Older roofs are more likely to leak, collapse, or fail during storms.
- Coverage Limits: Many policies only offer actual cash value (depreciated value) for roofs over 15–20 years old.
- Eligibility: Some insurers won’t write new policies for homes with roofs older than 20 years unless inspected and certified.
- Claim Denials: If your roof is too old or its age is unclear, a claim could be reduced—or denied altogether.
Knowing the exact or approximate age of your roof can protect your investment and ensure you have the right coverage.
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🔍 How to Determine the Age of Your Roof
Whether you’re a homeowner or buying a home, here are several proven methods to figure out the age of your roof:
1. Check Home Improvement Records
The most straightforward method is to check your records. Look for:
- Receipts or invoices from roofing companies
- Warranty documents (especially if you used branded shingles like Owens Corning)
- City permit applications for roof replacement
- Home inspection reports from when you purchased the property
If you hired a roofing company like S&K Construction and Remodeling LLC, they can provide documentation of the installation date.
2. Ask the Previous Homeowner or Seller
If you recently bought the home, reach out to the seller or previous owner and ask when the roof was last replaced. Most real estate transactions require the seller to disclose recent upgrades.
If you’re working with a Realtor, ask them to help you retrieve this information from the seller’s disclosure form or MLS listing notes.
3. Contact the Roofing Contractor
If you know the name of the roofing company that installed or repaired the roof, call them. Reputable contractors like S&K Construction and Remodeling LLC keep detailed records of every job.
We serve communities like Jefferson, Youngstown, Cleveland, Painesville, and Willoughby, and are always happy to provide documentation for insurance purposes.
4. Look for a Building Permit
Most full roof replacements require a building permit. You can contact your local city or county building department and request a copy of the roofing permit. This will usually show the exact date of installation.
In Ohio cities like Cleveland, Madison, and Youngstown, permit records can often be accessed online.
5. Have a Professional Roof Inspection
If no documentation exists, the next best step is to have a licensed roofing contractor inspect your roof. Professionals can:
- Examine the condition of shingles or tiles
- Look at the underlayment and decking
- Identify signs of aging like granule loss, curling, cracking, or moss
After the inspection, you’ll receive an age estimate—which can be shared with your insurance company.
S&K Construction and Remodeling LLC offers roof inspections and written assessments throughout Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, and Cuyahoga counties.
6. Check for Manufacturer Codes or Shingle Branding
Some asphalt shingles have manufacturer codes or brand stamps on the underside or tabs. These markings often include the manufacture date or batch number, which can help estimate the roof’s age.
If you know your shingles are from Owens Corning, CertainTeed, or GAF, you may be able to call the manufacturer and get details based on the product ID.
7. Use Satellite Imagery (For Professionals)
Some advanced insurance adjusters and roofing professionals use tools like EagleView or RoofSnap to view historical imagery and assess roof changes over time. This may not be accessible to the average homeowner, but it’s a technique that’s sometimes used during insurance underwriting.
🛑 What If You Can’t Prove the Roof’s Age?
If you can’t determine the roof’s exact age, your insurer may:
- Require a roof inspection
- Limit your coverage to actual cash value (ACV)
- Raise your premium
- Decline your policy altogether (especially if the roof is over 20 years old)
In this case, your best bet is to hire a reputable roofing company to inspect your roof and provide an age estimate in writing.
🏠 Roofing Age and Insurance Coverage: What to Expect
Here’s how most insurance companies treat roofing based on age:
| Roof Age | Insurance Impact |
|---|---|
| 0–10 years | Full replacement cost coverage likely |
| 11–15 years | May still qualify for full coverage depending on condition |
| 16–20 years | Limited coverage; inspection likely required |
| 20+ years | High risk of denial or ACV-only coverage |
Keep in mind: insurance companies are shifting toward actual cash value models for older roofs, especially in storm-prone areas.
🧾 Why S&K Construction and Remodeling LLC Is Your Best Ally
Based in Jefferson, Ohio, S&K Construction and Remodeling LLC is a trusted name in roofing across Northeast Ohio. We help homeowners:
- Determine the age of their roof
- Provide detailed inspection reports
- Navigate insurance claims
- Repair or replace aging roofs
As an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, we follow best practices and document every job. Our service areas include Youngstown, Painesville, Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Concord, and more.
What our clients say:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “S&K handled everything—from the inspection to filing with my insurance. I had no idea how old my roof was, but they helped me figure it out!”
💰 Financing Available for Roof Replacement
Worried about replacing an old roof after your insurance won’t cover it? We offer flexible financing options to help you manage the cost.
- Low monthly payments
- Fast approval
- No hidden fees
- Financing available for full replacements and major repairs
Let us help you protect your home—without draining your wallet.
📝 Final Tips: What You Should Do Next
- Step 1: Check your documents for roof age proof
- Step 2: Call S&K Construction and Remodeling LLC for a roof inspection
- Step 3: Share inspection results with your insurance agent
- Step 4: Update your policy or prepare for a claim with confidence
📞 Schedule Your Roof Inspection Today
If you’re unsure how old your roof is or need documentation for your insurance company, S&K Construction and Remodeling LLC is here to help.
📍 Based in Jefferson, Ohio
📞 Call us or get a free quote online
✅ Licensed, insured, and trusted throughout Northeast Ohio
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