If your roof is 15 years old or more, you may already be running into insurance problems—even if it’s still in good shape.
This has become one of the most common reasons insurers are declining homes altogether in Colorado.
What’s really happening
Insurance companies are increasingly averse to older roofs. In today’s market, many carriers will simply refuse to insure a home once the roof reaches the 15-year mark.
And for those that will offer coverage, pricing tells the story.
Policies with low wind and hail deductibles on older roofs are being priced dramatically higher than the same coverage on newer or hail-resistant roofs. From the carrier’s perspective, the likelihood of a claim is higher, and the cost to replace the roof is significant.
My professional take
Insurance companies are looking for ways not to be the one replacing an aging roof.
For years, some homeowners took a “wait and see” approach—keeping an older roof in place and hoping it would last a little longer. That approach is no longer being tolerated by most carriers.
Where homeowners get stuck
This puts responsible homeowners in a tough position.
If your roof is:
- Older than 15 years
- Still functioning and well maintained
You’re in a bind.
You can’t file a claim because wear and tear isn’t covered, but insurers may either decline the home or require much higher premiums and deductibles to continue coverage.
A practical way to think about roof replacement in Colorado
Outside of a clearly damaging hail event, it may make sense to plan on replacing your roof every 15 years in Colorado, without relying on an insurance claim.
That doesn’t mean insurance isn’t valuable. It means insurance is designed for sudden, accidental losses, not the predictable aging of materials.
The bottom line
A newer roof doesn’t just reduce risk—it often reduces your insurance premium and gives us more options.
When your roof is newer or hail-resistant, we can shop your home with all of our carrier partners, not just one or two. That competition is what allows us to find the best coverage and the most competitive rate for your situation.
Planning ahead puts you in control—before the market forces the decision for you.
