If snow is piling up on your roof or deck in the Mat-Su Valley, the cause of any damage can decide whether your homeowners policy pays. The Alaska Division of Insurance says a loss tied to poor upkeep, or one that could have been predicted, is not likely to be covered.
Read your own policy's wording, or ask the office how it treats snow damage. If a roof, deck or ceiling is already sagging or leaking, get everyone clear first and photograph the damage before anything is moved or cleaned up. Then report the loss to your insurance company or agent right away.
Does home insurance cover a roof caving in from snow?
For a roof that caves in under snow, start with your own policy's terms. Any sagging or leaking before the collapse may matter, because the Alaska Division of Insurance says a loss that could have been predicted is not likely to be covered. Read your own policy's terms, or ask the office how they treat a roof collapse.
Snow damage to a roof is not always visible. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) warns that heavy snow and ice can damage a roof's structure in ways you cannot see, and can even make a roof collapse. If your roof has carried heavy snow, consider having the roof and attic checked.
Does homeowners insurance cover roof leaks from snow and ice dams?
For a roof leak from snow or ice, start by finding out what caused it. Read how your own policy treats roof leaks.
Attic insulation can play a part in ice dams. The NAIC explains that ice dams form when heavy snow melts and then refreezes because the attic is not insulated properly. Ask the office how your policy treats leaks from ice dams.
Will insurance cover a collapsed ceiling?
The Alaska Division of Insurance points to two kinds of loss: one tied to poor upkeep, and one that could have been predicted. A loss of either kind is not likely to be covered by your policy, though policies vary. If your ceiling sagged or leaked before it fell, check how your policy treats that history.
If damage leaves you unable to stay in your home, most policies include coverage for additional living expenses while repairs are made. Keep receipts for what you spend while you are out of your home. Check whether your policy includes this coverage and what limits apply.
Before cleanup or repair, take photos or video of the damage for the adjuster. Keep the damaged items until the adjuster says they can go. When you know how your policy treats collapse and living expenses, get a homeowners insurance quote.
What should I do if my ceiling collapses?
If your ceiling collapses, whether in Wasilla, Palmer or elsewhere in the Mat-Su, get everyone out of the room first and stay clear until the area is safe to enter. Watch for a sagging section next to the hole or wet insulation, and listen for more water coming through. Once everyone is safe, take these steps to start a claim.
- As soon as everyone is out of the room, call your insurance company or agent to report the ceiling collapse.
- Make temporary repairs only if it is safe to do so, such as covering a leaking roof or a damaged wall to stop more damage. Keep every receipt for the adjuster.
- Keep the fallen drywall, soaked insulation and other damaged property so the insurer can inspect it, and do not throw any of it away until your adjuster tells you to.
- Follow up every conversation with the insurer in writing.
A short email after each phone call can note the date, who you spoke with and what was agreed.
What should I photograph and keep for the adjuster?
Take photos or video of the damage before anything is cleaned up or repaired, so you have a record to give the adjuster. Capture the sagging roof line, the hole in the ceiling, and any wet insulation or soaked floors and belongings, and note the date of each shot.
- Photos or video of each damaged area, taken before cleanup or repair, for the adjuster.
- Receipts for temporary repairs, such as a tarp over a leaking roof.
- The damaged property, such as fallen drywall or ruined carpet. Keep it for the insurer to inspect until your adjuster says it can go.
- No permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the home and you agree on the cost.
Waiting on permanent repairs does not mean leaving the home open to more snow or water. Temporary repairs, made only when it is safe, are meant to stop further damage in the meantime. Keep copies of your photos and receipts somewhere other than the damaged room, such as a phone backup or an email to yourself.
How can I clear snow from a roof or deck more safely?
To clear snow from a roof or deck more safely, stay alert to unexpected sounds or movement the whole time, because a surface weighed down by snow, or by water from melted snow, can collapse. Alaska's labor department gives this caution to workers who remove snow. The same department warns that a roof collapse can injure or kill workers.
The department words its caution around surfaces weighed down by snow or by water from melted snow, not roofs alone. If you hear cracking or popping, or see the roof line or deck boards shift, stop and move off and away from the structure. Keep other people out from under the area while the work is going on.
Where can I get help with homeowners insurance in Alaska?
Monica Johnson Insurance Agency is licensed to serve Alaska. Learn more about homeowners insurance on the agency's products page. You can also read about the agency before you reach out.
A good next step is to pull out your full policy wording. Find how the policy describes snow or ice weight, roof collapse, ice dams and water leaks. Mark anything that is unclear so you can ask how those terms apply to your home and your roof.
Call the office with your policy number and any photos of the snow load or damage ready.
