Roofing and Roof Insurance Glossary
The words that show up in roofing quotes and insurance claims, explained in plain English.
These are general explanations, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy and your state's rules decide what applies to your claim. How we write and correct pages is on our editorial policy.
A
Actual cash value (ACV)
What your roof is worth today: the cost to replace it minus depreciation for its age and wear. On an ACV policy this is the most the insurer pays. On a replacement cost policy it is usually the first payment.
Where this appears on our site: ACV vs RCV roof insurance
Adjuster
The person who inspects the damage and writes the estimate that drives your payout. A company adjuster works for your insurer, an independent adjuster is hired by the insurer for one claim, and a public adjuster works for you.
Where this appears on our site: How to file a roof insurance claim
Architectural shingles
Asphalt shingles built from layered pieces, which gives the roof a thicker, textured look. They are heavier than flat three-tab shingles and usually last longer.
Where this appears on our site: Roofing materials compared
Assignment of benefits (AOB)
A contract that hands your insurance claim rights to a contractor, who then deals with the insurer and is paid directly. Some states limit these agreements, and signing one can leave you with less say in your own claim, so read it before you sign.
Where this appears on our site: Filing a hail claim in Texas
C
Certificate of insurance
A document from a contractor's insurer showing the contractor carries liability coverage, and workers' compensation where it is required. Ask the insurer or agent to send it to you directly rather than accepting a copy from the contractor.
Where this appears on our site: How to choose a roofing contractor
Cosmetic damage exclusion
A policy clause that denies payment for damage that changes how a roof looks but not how it works, such as hail dents in metal panels. Look for it in your declarations page and endorsements before a storm, not after.
Where this appears on our site: Does insurance cover roof replacement?
D
Declarations page
The summary page at the front of your policy. It lists your coverages, limits, deductibles and endorsements, including whether your roof is paid at replacement cost or actual cash value.
Where this appears on our site: ACV vs RCV roof insurance
Deductible
The amount you pay toward a covered loss before the insurer pays the rest. If the approved repair costs $14,000 and your deductible is $2,000, the insurer pays $12,000.
Where this appears on our site: How to file a roof insurance claim
Depreciation
The loss in a roof's value from age and wear. Insurers subtract it from the replacement cost to reach the actual cash value.
Where this appears on our site: ACV vs RCV roof insurance
Depreciation holdback (recoverable depreciation)
The part of a replacement cost payout the insurer keeps back until the work is finished and you send proof, usually the final invoice. Ask your insurer how long you have to claim it, because the window can be short.
Where this appears on our site: ACV vs RCV roof insurance
Drip edge
A metal strip along the roof edges that guides water into the gutter and keeps it from creeping behind the fascia board or under the edge of the deck. Many building codes require it, and your local code decides.
Where this appears on our site: Roof replacement cost, what a full price includes
Dwelling coverage (Coverage A)
The part of a homeowners policy that pays to repair or rebuild the house itself, roof included. A percentage wind or hail deductible is usually figured from this amount.
Where this appears on our site: Does insurance cover roof replacement?
F
Flashing
Thin metal fitted where the roof meets something else: chimneys, walls, skylights, vents and valleys. It sends water away from those joints, and leaks often start where flashing has failed.
Where this appears on our site: Roof leaking right now
FORTIFIED Roof
A voluntary building standard from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). It adds a sealed roof deck, stronger fastening and other upgrades, and a certified evaluator checks the work. Some states offer insurance discounts for it.
Where this appears on our site: FORTIFIED Roof by state
G
Granule loss
The mineral coating on an asphalt shingle wearing off. Some loss is normal with age, and heavy loss, such as granules piling up in the gutters, points to an old or hail-struck roof.
Where this appears on our site: How long does a roof last?
H
Hail bruise
A spot where a hailstone cracked the fiberglass mat inside a shingle without necessarily breaking the surface. It feels soft when pressed, may shed granules, and shortens the life of the shingle.
Where this appears on our site: Filing a hail claim in Kansas
Hail size scale
Hail is measured by comparing stones to everyday objects: a pea is about 0.25 inch, a quarter 1 inch, a golf ball 1.75 inches and a baseball 2.75 inches. The National Weather Service counts hail of 1 inch or larger as severe.
Where this appears on our site: Hail history by county
I
Ice and water shield
A self-sticking waterproof membrane laid at the eaves, in valleys and around roof openings. It seals around nails and helps stop leaks from ice dams and wind-driven rain.
Where this appears on our site: Roof replacement cost, what a full price includes
Ice dam
A ridge of ice at the lower edge of the roof that traps melting snow behind it, so water backs up under the shingles. Heat escaping from the house melts snow on the upper roof, and it refreezes at the cold eave.
Where this appears on our site: Roof maintenance checklist
Impact-resistant shingles (Class 4)
Shingles tested under the UL 2218 standard, where a steel ball is dropped on the shingle and it must not crack. Class 4 is the top rating and uses a 2-inch ball. Some insurers discount premiums for them.
Where this appears on our site: Impact-resistant shingles, Class 3 vs Class 4
M
Matching
The question of whether a repair has to look uniform with the undamaged part of the roof. If new shingles cannot reasonably match the old ones, some states and policies call for replacing the whole slope or roof. Ask your insurer whether a matching provision applies.
Where this appears on our site: Does insurance cover roof replacement?
N
Notice of loss
Your first report of the damage to the insurer. Policies require prompt notice and states set their own time limits for what happens next, so report soon after the storm.
Where this appears on our site: Claim deadlines by state
O
Overlay (re-roof over old shingles)
Installing new shingles directly over the existing layer instead of tearing it off. It costs less up front, but the deck stays hidden from inspection, and building codes limit how many layers a roof can carry.
Where this appears on our site: Roofing materials compared
P
Proof of loss
A sworn statement of what was damaged and what you are claiming. Your insurer can require it, and the deadline to return it comes from your policy and your state's rules.
Where this appears on our site: Claim deadlines by state
Public adjuster
A professional you hire to prepare and negotiate your claim with the insurer, usually for a percentage of the settlement. Most states license them, and the rules differ from state to state.
Where this appears on our site: Roof insurance claim denied
R
Replacement cost value (RCV)
The cost to replace the roof with new materials of similar kind and quality, with no deduction for age. Most RCV policies pay the actual cash value first and release the rest after the work is done.
Where this appears on our site: ACV vs RCV roof insurance
Roof deck (sheathing)
The boards, usually plywood or OSB, nailed to the rafters. Everything else on the roof attaches to it, and rotted or wet sections have to be replaced before new roofing goes on.
Where this appears on our site: How to read a roofing estimate
Roof payment schedule
A policy term that pays a smaller share of the roof's cost as the roof ages, using a table in the policy instead of a case-by-case depreciation figure. The declarations page or an endorsement will list it if you have one.
Where this appears on our site: Roof age and home insurance
Roof pitch
How steep the roof is, written as inches of rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run, such as 6/12. Steeper roofs are harder to work on and can raise the price.
Where this appears on our site: Roof cost estimator
Roof square
Roofing's unit of area: 100 square feet of roof surface. A 2,000 square foot roof is 20 squares, and contractors usually price per square. Shingles are often sold in bundles, with three bundles covering one square.
Where this appears on our site: How to read a roofing estimate
S
Storm chaser
A contractor who shows up in a neighborhood after a storm, often from out of state, and leaves when the work dries up. Not every out-of-town roofer is a problem, but you cannot count on one for warranty work, so check the license and local references first.
Where this appears on our site: How to avoid storm chaser scams
Supplement
A request for added payment when the first estimate missed damage or line items, often found once the old roof is off. The contractor sends the insurer photos and itemized costs, and the insurer reviews them.
Where this appears on our site: How to file a roof insurance claim
T
Tear-off
Removing the old roofing down to the deck before the new roof goes on. It lets the installer inspect and repair the deck, and disposal of the old material is part of the price.
Where this appears on our site: Roof replacement timeline
U
Underlayment
The water-resistant layer between the deck and the shingles, made of felt or synthetic sheet. It is the backup that sheds water if wind lifts a shingle or rain is driven underneath.
Where this appears on our site: Roofing materials compared
V
Valley
The inside angle where two roof slopes meet. Water from both slopes runs down it, so valleys need careful flashing and are a common place for leaks.
Where this appears on our site: Roof leaking right now
Verified (on PickARoofer)
A badge on a contractor listing meaning the contractor's license was checked against the official state registry. It does not confirm insurance, reviews or the quality of the work.
Where this appears on our site: How verification works
W
Wind/hail deductible (percentage deductible)
A separate deductible for wind or hail losses, set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage instead of a dollar amount. At 2% on a $300,000 dwelling limit it would be $6,000 (example only). Your declarations page shows the percentage that applies to you.
Where this appears on our site: How to file a roof insurance claim
X
Xactimate
Estimating software that many insurers and contractors use to price repairs from local material and labor costs. When your adjuster's estimate and your contractor's differ, comparing the line items side by side shows where.
Where this appears on our site: How to file a roof insurance claim