Common Pitfall: Not Verifying Roof Insurance Coverage Before Buying or Selling
Many homebuyers and sellers in Douglas County underestimate how critical roof condition and insurance coverage are in a property transaction. A sturdy roof isn’t just for curb appeal — it’s a major financial risk if storms hit.
In recent years, Minnesota’s storms — wind, hail, even tornadic events — have hammered homes, leaving hidden damage behind the shingles. Homeowners insurance policies today often carry separate wind/hail deductibles, sometimes 1-2% of the home’s insured value, meaning the policyholder bears more cost than before.
Even worse, some policies now limit what they’ll pay for damage to older roofs, shifting from "replacement cost" to "actual cash value." If a buyer inherits a roof that’s near end-of-life or has undisclosed damage, repair costs or unexpected denials can cause major headaches or surprise out-of-pocket bills.
From the seller’s side, failing to maintain or document roof condition can scare off buyers or lead to renegotiations. Smart buyers or agents will request roof inspections and copies of insurance claims history during due diligence.
In short, roof coverage and condition should be a nonnegotiable item on inspections. For Douglas County homes, where extreme weather is far from rare, skipping this step is a mistake many regret.
