This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by Angela Sabarese.
U.S. roof claims costs reached nearly $31 billion in 2024, marking a 30% increase since 2022, according to a recent report from Verisk. The challenges in this sector are significant and growing, underscoring evolving risks.
Roof-related claims represent more than a quarter of all residential claim value in 2024, with wind and hail damage being the primary drivers. Non-catastrophic wind/hail roof claims have increased from 17% to 25% since 2022, highlighting a growing concern beyond major weather events.
Regional Variations
Regional variations play a significant role in roof conditions across the country. Currently, 38% of U.S. residential homes have moderate to poor condition issues, with properties in the eastern United States showing more deterioration due to greater weather variability compared to western states.
Roofing Materials and Design
The choice of roofing materials significantly impacts durability and lifespan. Asphalt shingles, used on 80% of U.S. roofs, last an average of 15 years in hail-prone states compared to 22 years in western states with milder weather. Notably, 29% of U.S. homes with asphalt shingles have less than four years of remaining useful roof life, with states like West Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts showing the highest percentage of aging roofs.
Roof design also affects weather resilience, with 20% of U.S. homes featuring hip-styled roofs that offer better wind resistance. This design is particularly prevalent in Florida and Louisiana.
To address these challenges, insurers are turning to advanced analytics solutions. Verisk's personal property solutions, including the Roof Condition Score and Roof Age solution, combine multiple data sources with aerial imagery analytics to help insurers assess risk more accurately and make informed pricing decisions. These tools enable insurers to move beyond traditional inspection methods, which can be limited by ground-level visibility constraints.