🏛️ Understanding the Shift: Insurance Coverage & Wood Shake Shingle Roofs

In recent years, many insurance providers across Kansas and the broader Midwest have tightened their policies regarding coverage for homes with wood shake shingle roofs. As a leading roofing provider in Kansas, Veterans United Roofing is committed to keeping our clients informed about how these changes may impact their home, premiums, and resale value.

🔎 Why Are Insurance Companies Reassessing Wood Shake Shingles?

Insurance companies base their coverage decisions on risk assessment and expected loss ratios. Unfortunately, wood shake shingles present several risk factors that make them increasingly undesirable for insurers:

 1. Fire Hazard

Wood shake roofs are highly flammable, especially if untreated. Even pressure-treated shakes only reduce, not eliminate, the risk. In urban and rural areas alike, insurers view this as a significant liability.

• In some municipalities, local fire codes now discourage or prohibit new installations of wood shake roofs.
• This risk can make homes ineligible for coverage or subject to exorbitant premiums.

2. Severe Weather Vulnerability

Kansas is no stranger to hailstorms, strong winds, and extreme seasonal changes. Wood shake shingles:

• Splinter and split easily from hail or wind-blown debris
• Are prone to lifting or curling under high winds
• Become brittle with age, making repairs more difficult

Insurers see these roofs as being at higher risk of claimable damage, thus increasing their exposure.

3. Shorter Lifespan & Inconsistent Aging

Unlike modern roofing materials (such as architectural asphalt, composite, or metal), wood shakes:

• Typically last 15 to 25 years, while newer materials may last 30 to 50+ years
• Age unevenly depending on sun exposure and moisture retention
• Are prone to rot, mold, mildew, and insect infestation

4. Ongoing Maintenance Requirements

Wood shake roofs require regular cleaning, inspections, and treatments to prevent decay and structural failure. Most homeowners are not aware of the level of upkeep needed, which insurers factor into risk assessments.

5. Limited Replacement Material Availability

As fewer homes install wood shakes, fewer suppliers stock them. This drives up repair costs and can complicate insurance settlements due to material mismatch and labor shortages.

How This Affects Homeowners in Kansas

Homeowners throughout Wichita and surrounding counties are increasingly experiencing:

• Non-renewal notices from their existing insurers
• Difficulty securing coverage from new providers
• Premium hikes due to high-risk roofing material
• Limited financing options or appraisal issues due to roof type

In some cases, insurance underwriters will demand full roof replacement before issuing or renewing a policy.