Is granular loss on roof covered by insurance?

Granular loss on a roof is sometimes covered by insurance, but coverage depends heavily on the cause of the loss and your specific policy. Insurance is designed to cover sudden, accidental damage from a covered peril, not normal wear and aging. If granular loss is caused by a recent hailstorm, windstorm, or fallen debris, and you can document that the loss occurred during that event with photos, roofer inspection, and possibly an adjuster finding bruising or impact marks, most homeowner policies will cover repair or replacement under wind and hail coverage. However, if granular loss is due to normal aging, as asphalt shingles naturally lose granules after 15 to 25 years, or due to manufacturing defect, poor ventilation, or foot traffic, insurance will typically deny the claim, citing wear and tear or maintenance exclusion. To have a successful claim, you need to show that granules are filling gutters immediately after a storm, that shingles have distinct hail hits with granules knocked off exposing asphalt, and that the roof was in good condition before the event. Many policies also have cosmetic damage exclusions that may limit coverage if granular loss does not affect waterproofing. Always have a reputable roofer and your insurance adjuster inspect together.