The gradual deterioration of roofing materials from age and environmental exposure — and the most commonly cited exclusion used by insurance carriers to deny or reduce Colorado hail damage claims.
Table of Contents
- What Normal Wear and Tear Is
- Wear and Tear in Policy Language
- How Carriers Misapply It
- Wear and Tear vs. Storm Damage
- How to Counter a Wear and Tear Denial
- Functional Damage Standard
- Common Questions
- How Claim Advocacy Helps
- Related Glossary Terms
What Normal Wear and Tear Is
Normal wear and tear is the gradual deterioration of roofing materials caused by age, weathering, and regular exposure to the elements over time.
This includes:
- Uniform granule loss
- UV-related brittleness
- Thermal cracking
- General material aging
Insurance does not cover normal aging — only sudden damage from a covered peril.
Wear and Tear in Policy Language
Most policies include language such as:
- “We do not insure for loss caused by wear and tear…”
- “Damage from deterioration or aging is not covered…”
This exclusion is legitimate — insurance is not a maintenance plan.
How Carriers Misapply It
Blanket Aging Attribution
All damage on an older roof is labeled as wear and tear without distinguishing impact damage.
Age-Based Denial
The carrier assumes age equals cause — which is incorrect.
Concurrent Causation Argument
Pre-existing wear is used to deny otherwise covered storm damage.
Cosmetic Reclassification
Hail impact is re-labeled as aging or cosmetic damage.
These are the most common denial strategies in Colorado claims.
Wear and Tear vs. Storm Damage
Distribution Pattern
- Wear and tear — uniform across surface
- Storm damage — discrete impact points
Corroborating Evidence
- Storm damage — dents gutters, metals, vents
- Wear and tear — does not affect metal surfaces
Timing
- Wear and tear — gradual over years
- Storm damage — appears after a specific event
Physical Characteristics
- Storm damage — bruising, mat exposure
- Wear and tear — surface deterioration only
These distinctions are critical to claim approval.
How to Counter a Wear and Tear Denial
- Professional inspection report — identifying impact patterns
- Storm data — confirming hail event
- Before-and-after documentation
- Soft metal damage — gutters, vents, HVAC
Each piece of evidence directly addresses the causation dispute.
Functional Damage Standard
The key question is not whether aging exists — but whether the storm caused new functional damage.
If the roof:
- Was performing before the storm
- Is compromised after the storm
Then a covered loss occurred — even if some aging existed.
Common Questions
My roof is old — can it still be covered?
Yes — age affects value, not coverage.
Can aging be used to deny everything?
No — only damage caused by aging is excluded.
What if both aging and hail are present?
This may involve Concurrent Causation analysis.
Can a new roof be denied for wear and tear?
No — that would be improper.
How Claim Advocacy Helps
- Impact identification — documenting hail patterns
- Storm verification — confirming event severity
- Technical reporting — addressing causation directly
- Denial response — structured challenge
- Policy analysis — reviewing exclusion application
Related Glossary Terms
- Functional Damage
- Granule Loss
- Causation
- Concurrent Causation
- Anti-Concurrent Causation Clause
- Pre-Existing Condition
- Exclusion
- Denial
- Documentation
- Bruising (Shingle)
Wear and tear is the most commonly cited reason for denied roof claims in Colorado — but also the most frequently misapplied. Distinguishing between gradual aging and sudden storm damage is the key to protecting your claim and ensuring a fair settlement.
📞 (719) 210-8699
📧 gerald@winik.io