Quick answer: Usually, yes, if the leak was sudden and accidental, like hail, wind, a fallen tree or an ice dam that backs water into your home. Most Minnesota homeowners policies pay for the resulting water damage inside the house, but not for removing the ice dam itself or for leaks caused by an old, worn-out roof. Every policy is different, so your insurance agent has the final word on what yours covers.
What insurance usually covers
- Storm damage: hail, high wind, or a tree or limb that punctures the roof.
- Ice dam water damage: stained ceilings, wet insulation, damaged drywall and paint inside the house.
- Damage from heavy snow: when the weight of snow or ice damages the roof structure.
- Your belongings and living costs: personal property coverage can pay for damaged belongings, and some policies pay for a hotel if you can’t stay in the home during repairs.
What insurance usually does not cover
- Wear and tear: a roof that leaks because it is old, curling or missing granules.
- Slow leaks: damage that built up over months, including mold and rot.
- Ice dam removal: steaming the ice off the roof is usually treated as maintenance.
- Skipped maintenance: loose flashing, clogged gutters or a known problem that was never fixed.
Why ice dams cause so many winter leaks in Minnesota
Ice dams start inside the house. Warm air leaks into the attic, melts the snow on the roof, and the water refreezes at the cold eaves. The ridge of ice traps more meltwater, which backs up under the shingles and drips into walls and ceilings. The Minnesota Department of Commerce says the real fix is sealing attic air leaks and adding insulation, not adding roof vents or heat cables.
We don’t remove ice dams ourselves. If you have one right now, call a removal company that uses steam, which is the method that won’t damage your shingles. Call us at 763-333-7663 and we’ll point you to one. Once the ice is gone, we can inspect the roof, repair any damage and give you a written estimate for your insurance claim.
What to do if your roof is leaking this winter
- Stop the damage. Move belongings, set out buckets, and poke a small hole in a bulging ceiling so water drains instead of spreading.
- Take photos and video of the ceiling, walls, attic and the outside of the roof before anything is cleaned up.
- Call your insurance agent to ask whether it is covered and how to open a claim.
- Get a roof inspection. We can document the damage, write a detailed repair estimate and meet your adjuster on the roof if you ask us to. Call 763-333-7663; scheduling is open 24/7. You can also request a free inspection online.
- Make temporary repairs to prevent more damage, and keep the receipts. Our roof repair and storm damage repair crews work all winter.
Watch out for these claim red flags
In Minnesota it is against the law for a contractor to offer to pay or “cover” your insurance deductible, or to pay you for letting them inspect your roof or file a claim (Minn. Stat. 325E.66). A contractor also can’t tell you what your policy covers or negotiate your claim unless they are a licensed public adjuster. If a door-knocker after a storm promises a “free roof,” be careful. More on that: what to do when a roofer knocks on your door after a hail storm.
If insurance won’t cover it
A leak from an aging roof is often a sign the roof is near the end of its life. A full roof replacement in the Twin Cities typically runs about $8,000 to $30,000 for the whole job, depending on size, pitch and materials. We offer financing, pull all permits, and most installs take 1 to 2 days. We don’t install roofs in the winter, so a winter estimate gets you an early spot on the spring schedule. See Can you replace a roof in winter in Minnesota?
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover ice dam damage in Minnesota?
Most Minnesota policies cover the water damage an ice dam causes inside your home. Removing the ice dam itself is usually not covered. Check your policy or ask your agent.
Does insurance cover a roof leak from an old roof?
Usually not. Insurance pays for sudden, accidental damage, not leaks from normal wear and tear or a roof that has reached the end of its life.
Will insurance pay for a whole new roof?
Sometimes. If hail or wind damaged the roof badly enough, the insurer may pay to replace it, minus your deductible. How much you get can depend on whether your policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value.
Should I call a roofer or my insurance company first?
Stop the damage and take photos first, then call your agent. A roofer can inspect the roof and give you a written estimate to share with your adjuster.
Can a roofer pay my insurance deductible?
No. Minnesota law bans contractors from offering to pay all or part of your deductible.
Does Ascension Roofing help with insurance claims?
Yes. We inspect and document roof damage, write a detailed estimate and can meet with your adjuster. Your insurance company decides what is covered. Call 763-333-7663.
Does Ascension Roofing remove ice dams?
No. We don’t offer ice dam removal. Call us and we’ll recommend a steam removal company for the ice, and we handle the roof inspection and repairs afterward.
About the author
Brian Christensen, Owner, Ascension Roofing (RoofingMN). Brian has run Ascension Roofing, a family-owned and fully insured roofing company based in Isanti, since 2007. His crews have replaced more than 700 roofs across the Twin Cities metro and help homeowners through storm and insurance claims every year. Minnesota license BC753558.
This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Your policy and your insurance company decide what is covered.
