An old, brittle, or damaged roof can lead to further problems with the decking, insulation, and rooms underneath. Delaying a roof replacement or renovation is a real risk because standard home insurance policies don’t cover roof collapse or other issues that arise from regular wear and tear and poor maintenance.
We reviewed FCAC’s guide to home insurance for unexpected events, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s guide to home coverage, Natural Resources Canada’s roof-and-attic assessment guidance, and Consumer Protection Ontario’s guide to hiring a roofer.
Should You Delay a Roof Replacement?
If your roof is otherwise sound, it may not need to be replaced if a bad shingle or flashing issue can be repaired.
Ask for photographs of any issues and what’s causing them. Find out the extent of the area of concern. Ask about the condition of the decking and whether they recommend repairing or replacing it. Ask for a scope of work and separate pricing for repair and replacement. Check with your insurer in writing, if needed.
Read More: Read the Roof Insurance Coverage and Replacement Guide
What Roof Age Can Mean Before a Claim
MyChoice analyzed thousands of quotes collected through our platform since the beginning of 2026 and found that, on average, annual premiums were higher for homes with a roof age of 21 years or more than for those with a roof age of 11 to 20 years:
| City | Roof 0 to 5 years | Roof 11 to 20 years | Roof 21 years or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $2,060 | $2,247 | $2,411 |
| Sudbury | $2,700 | $2,990 | $3,247 |
| Calgary | $2,601 | $2,779 | $2,932 |
While your roof’s condition should determine whether it’s time for repairs or a replacement, it’s worth checking how roof age may affect your home insurance coverage, rates and how claims will be paid.
Why Delaying Necessary Repairs Can Cost More
According to the FCAC, most insurance policies don’t cover deterioration of roof shingles or other repair and maintenance tasks associated with home upkeep. If the original cause of a leak went unrepaired, coverage for subsequent leaking could be viewed separately.
Repairing roof damage as soon as possible—and documenting the repair—can avoid problems such as wet insulation, mould, rotten drywall or other extensive damage to the home. You may not always need to replace the entire roof if you find a problem. If needed, apply a temporary, safe fix to contain a leak while you investigate the cause. Evaluate whether a permanent repair or full roof replacement makes financial and longevity sense.
What to Do After Storm Damage
Take photos of the roof from ground level, the attic and other areas of damage. Do not get on roofs that may be compromised. Never get on roofs when conditions are unsafe, including when they are wet or icy. Do what is safe and practical to prevent further damage.
Read More: Read How Winter Storms Affect Canadian Insurance
Hire a Roofer With a Written Scope
| Contract item | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Damage evidence | Can you please send dated photos of the items and explain exactly why each area needs to be repaired or replaced? |
| Materials and system | What underlay, flashing, ventilation, deck repair and product are included? |
| Price and changes | How would the repair of hidden or unexpected damage be approved and how would you determine the cost? Would the estimate be detailed and itemized? |
| Permits and inspections | Who will be responsible for confirming city requirements and pulling permits? |
| Warranty | Who backs the warranty for materials and labour? What maintenance requirements are necessary to keep the warranty? |
| Payment | What terms apply to deposit, progress and holdback payments, and what constitutes proof of completion? |
Contracts can differ from one province to the next, including their cooling-off periods. Ontario consumer guidance recommends getting estimates from at least three contractors, in writing, and not accepting estimates that were not preceded by an inspection.
Read More: Review Ontario Requirements for Becoming a General Contractor