According to insurance providers, “Acts of God” are defined as events triggered by natural causes and could not be prevented through the use of caution or preventative measures. In other words, the phrase “Acts of God” means natural disasters.
When you think of “Acts of God” in relation to storm damage, what comes to mind is hurricanes, tornadoes, hail earthquakes, and floods. However, the lines can be much fuzzier than most homeowners can realize.
What are Considered Acts of God
An accidental fire in your home can ruin the entire roof, but it is not considered an Act of God since it could have been prevented, either by correcting someone’s actions in starting the fire accidentally or using the right roofing materials (materials with better fire ratings).
A fire triggered by a lightning strike which consumes several homes, such as what often occurs in the West, would be considered an Act of God. So, the key is to determine whether a human could be reasonably considered to be at fault.
Roofing Insurance and Acts of God
An Act of God is basically any event outside of human control and is often unpredictable and unpreventable. When it comes to roofing insurance, the precise definition of an Act of God can vary depending on your insurance provider. This often causes ambiguity when raising insurance claims, so if your home is at a high risk of being affected by such events, it’s worth paying close attention when shopping for an insurance policy. Here are some tips to help you understand storm damage and Acts of God:
1. Inquire if You Need Any Separate Policy or Ad-ons
Sometimes, your standard homeowner’s insurance will cover certain Acts of God such as high winds, hail, and lightning. Check the fine prints of your policy to see what is covered and what isn’t. For other Acts of God such as flooding and earthquakes, you may need to purchase a separate policy or pay extra to upgrade your current policy.
2. Look for Any Exclusions
Your homeowner’s insurance policy will have a section which highlights specific circumstances they don’t provide cover for, and some Acts of God are sometimes included in this list. It’s common for standard homeowner’s insurance to exclude damage to certain structures in your home, such as sheds, fences, and gates.
3. Keep Up To Date with Maintenance
Even if your insurance policy covers specific Acts of God, you may still face disputes with your insurer if they have reasons to believe you hadn’t taken reasonable measures to prevent the damage from occurring. For example, if your roof isn’t regularly inspected and maintained, it may be more vulnerable to damage due to heavy rains, snowfall, or other Acts of God.
You can take the following measures to ensure your roof remains in good shape:
- Regularly check and clean your gutters and drains
- Regularly check your roof shingles or tiles and fix any broken pieces
- Avoid planting tall trees around your house where they could fall and cause damage
- Cut down any trees at risk of falling because of rotting
Ultimately, you need to work with a reputable, local roofing contractor to carry out periodic inspections and maintenance of your roof. This helps your roof always be in great shape to withstand damage from most Acts of God. At Moore & Sons Roofing, we have several years of experience providing quality roofing installation, repair, and replacement services. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection!
