My house was built in 1991, and the roof was fully replaced in 2020 when the previous owner added solar panels.
But my insurance company still lists the roof as being about 34 years old, like it’s the original one.
Would it be smart to get a roofing contractor to confirm the roof’s age and share that with my insurance? Seems like an easy decision, but I’m a bit nervous about contacting them just in case they see this as some kind of claim. A few of my neighbors have struggled with this company on policy stuff, so I’m wondering if it’s better to stay quiet. Any risks or downsides to reaching out and getting this updated?
Edit - Thanks for the advice! I didn’t realize I could just update the info myself online. I changed the roof’s age from 34 to 5 years, and my premium dropped by around 5%. Appreciate all the input here!
You can update the roof age yourself on the insurance website. There’s usually a text box where you can make changes, and it might not even require proof. Premiums might go down, but sometimes they increase depending on what you change. For example, I tried adding that I had a home security system for a discount, but my premium went up instead. I decided to leave it as it was for now.
What state are you in? I’m in Oregon, which isn’t high-risk, and changing my roof from 30 years old to brand new saved me… $2 a year. So not much of a win for me.
My roof was replaced in 2020 due to hail damage, and my insurance company paid for it. In 2023, they claimed my roof was over 15 years old. I had to prove to them that they paid to replace it three years ago. They said their departments don’t communicate with each other, which is frustrating.
@EvansBrown
The same thing happened to me. I updated the info online, and my rate went down a bit. I didn’t have to show proof—maybe they found the claim on their own eventually.
It’s a good idea to review and update your roof age and other home details every few years. You can do it online or call in. Depending on your state, it could lead to discounts. Unless you’re applying for a specific construction discount, they probably won’t ask for an inspection.
Definitely update the roof age and mention the solar panels. A newer roof usually means lower risk and lower premiums, though the solar panels might offset some of that discount.
Speaking as someone with nearly 20 years of insurance experience: yes, you’ll probably get a discount. Keep all the paperwork from the contractor or whoever certifies the roof’s age. It’s also worth shopping around with other companies since many offer significant discounts for new roofs.
You might want to have a structural engineer check the load that the solar panels add to the roof. The age of the roof only really matters if it affects the structure’s integrity.