In recent years, Minnesota homeowners have seen notable shifts in how their homeowner’s insurance policy is evaluated, particularly when it comes to one critical component: the age of your roof. With more severe weather events, higher insurance costs, and stricter insurance policies, many are being caught off guard during the insurance claim process.
As of 2025, insurance companies across the United States—especially here in Minnesota—are making the age of roof and insurance a central factor when determining coverage, deductible amount, and even whether to issue or renew a policy. At Ascension Roofing, we’ve seen this play out firsthand as more homeowners seek professional inspections, roof repairs, and roof replacements to keep their home insurance premiums under control.
This blog post will help you understand how the age of roof and insurance impact each other, what you can do to avoid unexpected costs, and why keeping your roof in shape is a good idea—not just for peace of mind, but for your wallet.
Why Are Insurance Companies Focused on Roof Age in 2025?
With Minnesota’s uptick in hail damage, high winds, and other natural disasters, insurance companies are feeling the strain of frequent, high-dollar roof claims. These extreme weather conditions have led to more significant damage to roofs, especially older roofs with outdated materials or poor regular maintenance.
To reduce risk, many insurers are tightening coverage limits regarding the age of roof and insurance and are raising homeowners insurance premiums for properties with roofs over 15–20 years old. In some cases, insurance providers are even refusing to insure older homes unless a roof replacement has occurred.
This change stems from a pattern: old roofs are more susceptible to missing shingles, roof leaks, and further damage from storm damage. If your roof hasn’t been replaced in decades, you may be paying higher premiums, receiving depreciated value payouts through an ACV policy (Actual Cash Value), or facing higher deductibles in the event of property damage.
How Does Roof Age Affect Your Insurance Policy?
In 2025, Minnesota insurance carriers are using the roof’s age as a way to assess risk and liability coverage. Here’s how your age of roof and insurance coverage might impact you:
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Higher Premiums: If your roof is over 15–20 years old, expect to pay higher premiums due to the higher risk of roof damage claims.
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Reduced Coverage: Many insurance policies now offer actual cash value (ACV) rather than replacement cost value (RCV) for older roofs. That means if you file a claim, you may only receive the depreciated value of your roof—leaving you with out-of-pocket expenses for a full new roof.
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Denied Claims: If an insurance adjuster finds that your roof has suffered cosmetic damage or lacked regular inspections, they might deny your insurance claim altogether.
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Policy Non-Renewals: Some insurance providers are choosing not to renew policies for homes with roofs older than 20 years unless a roofing contractor has provided documentation of minor repairs or professional inspection.
Types of Roofs and Their Impact on Insurance Coverage
The material and style of your roof play a significant role in how your insurance company evaluates risk, determines home insurance rates, and decides whether to offer full roof coverage or issue restrictions. In 2025, many insurance providers are placing stricter guidelines on roof types, especially when paired with the age of your roof and local severe weather events like hail damage and high winds.
Here’s a breakdown of common roof types found on Minnesota homes and how they affect your homeowner’s insurance policy:
Asphalt Shingles
Still the most common roofing material across Minnesota, asphalt shingles are affordable and typically last 15–30 years with regular maintenance. However, due to their vulnerability to storm damage, missing shingles, and water damage, many insurance companies will reduce coverage or raise home insurance premiums once the roof reaches around 15–20 years of age.
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Pros: Inexpensive upfront, widely available, relatively easy to repair
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Cons: Shorter lifespan; higher likelihood of cosmetic damage or roof leaks during extreme weather
If your roof is approaching the 20-year mark, you could face higher deductibles, actual cash value coverage instead of replacement cost value, or even non-renewal of your policy unless you replace it. Keeping up with regular inspections and minor repairs is crucial to retaining full insurance coverage.
Metal Roofs
Many insurers consider a metal roof a lower risk, thanks to its superior durability and resistance to fire, hail, and severe damage from wind or debris. Metal roofs typically last 40–70 years, making them a smart investment, especially in older homes or areas frequently hit by natural disasters.
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Pros: Long lifespan, excellent protection, qualifies for lower rate and possible tax incentives
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Cons: Higher upfront cost, potential cosmetic denting from hail (which may not be covered)
In many cases, insurance agents offer discounts or reduced homeowners insurance premiums for homes with metal roofs, especially if installed recently. This is a good idea if you’re looking to increase your property value and reduce your exposure to unexpected costs.
Cedar Shakes or Wood Shingles
Cedar roofs offer a natural, rustic look and are especially popular in certain neighborhoods for their aesthetic appeal. However, they require frequent maintenance and are more susceptible to fire damage, mold, and rot.
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Pros: Unique appearance, decent insulation properties
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Cons: High maintenance, fire risk, limited coverage by some insurers
Because of the upkeep involved and the risk of significant damage, some insurance companies will charge higher premiums or exclude them from standard roof coverage. A professional inspection is often required to determine if the roof meets minimum standards for coverage
How Age of Roof and Insurance Impacts Homeowners
It’s not just your roof coverage that’s impacted by your roof’s age. A deteriorating roof can affect:
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Personal Property Coverage: If a roof leak leads to damage inside your home—like mold or ruined furniture—your insurance policy may limit payouts depending on how well you’ve maintained the roof.
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Liability Coverage: Loose shingles or severe damage can pose safety hazards. If someone is injured due to poor roof conditions, your liability coverage could be called into question.
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Home Insurance Premiums Overall: The age of your roof is tied to your home’s risk score, which insurance companies use to set home insurance rates. Even if you don’t file a claim, an old roof can raise your homeowners insurance premiums year after year
What You Can Do to Protect Your Home and Your Wallet
You don’t have to wait for your insurance to change the policy terms—you can take proactive steps today:
1. Schedule Regular Roof Inspections
Having regular inspections by a trusted roofing contractor like Ascension Roofing ensures that your roof is in solid shape and helps catch minor repairs before they turn into costly repairs. This can prevent roof damage claims and show your insurance agent that you’re doing your part.
2. Know the Age of Your Roof
If you’re unsure of your roof’s age, it’s time to find out. The age of the roof is now one of the first questions an insurance company will ask.
3. Consider a Roof Replacement
If your roof is nearing or past 20 years, especially if it’s made from asphalt shingles, a new roof can improve your home insurance rates, increase your home’s aesthetic appeal, and reduce the chances of a claims process headache later.
4. Understand Your Policy
Is your home insured under an actual cash value or replacement cost value policy? The former means you’ll get less money back for older roofs, while the latter covers the full replacement cost. Know what kind of roof coverage you have and ask your insurance agent about options.
Why Ascension Roofing Should Be Your First Call
At Ascension Roofing, we’ve helped hundreds of Minnesota homeowners navigate the complicated world of insurance claims and roof replacements. Our team provides:
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Thorough roof inspections for insurance documentation
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Assistance during the insurance claim process
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Accurate repair estimates and recommendations
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Quick turnaround for roof damage claims due to hail, high winds, and storm damage
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Expertise in working with insurance adjusters to ensure your claim is processed fairly
We don’t just install roofs—we help you protect your biggest asset from unexpected events and natural disasters. Whether you have missing shingles, roof leaks, or just an old roof, we’ll help you make an informed decision and avoid unexpected costs.
A Real-World Example from Ascension Roofing
Last year, we worked with a homeowner in a 20-year-old home in southern Minnesota. Their asphalt roof was nearing 25 years of age and had minor hail damage from a storm. Despite visible damage, their insurance provider offered only a partial payout due to the roof’s age and ACV policy terms.
We provided a detailed roof inspection, worked with the insurance adjuster, and helped the homeowner upgrade to a metal roof. This not only secured a better insurance payout but also helped them qualify for a lower rate moving forward.
This kind of proactive approach—choosing the right materials, getting proper documentation, and working with an experienced roofing contractor—makes a big difference!
Final Thoughts: Is Your Age of Roof and Insurance Coverage at Risk?
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense. If it’s been more than 15 years since your last roof replacement, or if you’ve had any water damage, electrical systems issues, or visible signs of wear, it’s a good idea to get a professional inspection now.
Homeowners insurance premiums are already climbing due to inflation, climate change, and increased property values. Don’t let the age of your roof be the reason you pay more—or worse, get dropped by your insurance provider.
Reach out to Ascension Roofing today for a free consultation and find out if your roof is helping or hurting your insurance coverage.
👉 Contact us now to book your inspection and get peace of mind in 2025.