Does your home insurance premiums go up if you file a claim? -

Due to our winter weather my moms has sustained some roof water damage. Its leaking into her ceiling and she has to put bowls out to catch the dripping water. She doesnt want to call Farmers Insurance to make a claim because she fears her rates will go up. Is that true? She has never filed a claim before. Well, is she waiting until the roof rots away completely and collapses, or is she going to put a new roof on? "Winter weather" doesn't make roofs leak. Winter weather is called, "Normal wear and tear". If it's time for a new roof, it's time for a new roof. The insurance company only pays for sudden and accidental damage, like a tree blowing down on your roof, or hail damage, or collapse caused by weight of ice and snow (if there's no rot underneath), or ice dams. But it's up to HER to maintain the roof. Most of the time, her rates WILL go up if she files a claim. But if they don't pay because it's a maintenace issue, not only will they not pay, but, they'll require her to fix/replace the roof. Call a Public Adjuster; they have the knowledge and training to successfully represent your interests and maximize your insurance claim if needed. They can also help you with coverage issues such as the one you may have. Report Abuse most homeowners policies cover for weight of snow and ice. if the rood was in good repair before the storm, its covered and they will pay. it will not automaticaly make her rates increase. has she ever made a claim on her home policy before? home policies tend to go up after more than just 1 claim depending on how much is paid out. in most small issues like this one it is cheaper to fix it on your own rather than making an insurance claim. because by the time you pay the deductible and the premium raise you already paid for the job to be done. so i suggest fixing the roof out of your own money without an insurance claim Call an roofer first, get an estimate to fix it, and then have call and make the claim. If ypou wait too long, the roof may cave in, and you will have to put up a skylight to fix the hole.. The ins. companies say no, but a year ago we had a major ice storm in where my house is and I had the Ins. company look at it after a neighbor had to have his roof repaired... I had never had a claim on the ins. and there was no damage, but the next year my homeowners ins. went up 50 PERCENT. It depends on the type of policy you have, the dollar amount of the claim, and sometimes state law kicks in too. She should at least call Farmers and ask what the effect of a claim on her rates would be. Nothing says she has to make the claim, after all. She needs to remember that her claims history is only part of her risk profile, too. Credit rating, driving record, and other things also figure in. Her fear is well founded. The question is whether the leaks are actually from storm damage or is the roof just old and defective. It is not necessarily so that your rate will go up. Do you have an estimate for repairs? What is her deductible. If there is a very little difference just pay it out of pocket. If it is significant, file a claim. However, a roof leak, unless it was caused by a storm may not be covered. Be sure to check the coverage and exclusions of your policy. Your agent can/should help you with this. No harm in asking. Farmers is a reputable company.