Coastal roof and claim words, explained

These definitions are written for Cape Fear homeowners, where wind, salt and hurricane deductibles shape most roof claims. Your own policy, endorsements and North Carolina law control how a term applies to you.

Actual cash value (ACV)

What the damaged roof was worth at the time of the storm: replacement cost minus depreciation. Many coastal claims pay ACV first.

Additional living expense (ALE)

Extra costs you pay if a covered loss forces you out of your home, such as lodging after a hurricane, above what you normally spend.

Adjuster

The person who inspects and values a claim. After big Cape Fear storms, many are independent adjusters brought in from other states.

Appraisal clause

The part of a policy that lets you and the insurer each pick an appraiser, plus an umpire, to settle a disagreement about the dollar amount.

Assignment of benefits (AOB)

A form signing over some of your insurance rights, such as payment, to a contractor. Read it closely before signing.

Bruise (hail bruise)

A hail hit that breaks the shingle's mat beneath the surface. It often feels soft to the touch and can leak later.

Cosmetic damage exclusion

An endorsement that excludes dents that only change appearance. It is often attached to metal roofs.

Coverage A

The dwelling limit on your policy. Percentage hurricane and named-storm deductibles are figured from this number.

Coverage B

Coverage for structures not attached to the house, such as a detached garage, shed, fence or dock, depending on the policy.

Coverage C

Coverage for your belongings, including items ruined by rain through a storm-damaged roof.

Creased shingle

A shingle that wind folded back, leaving a visible line where it bent. It is common along the edges and ridges after tropical storms.

Debris removal limit

A cap in many policies on paying to remove fallen trees that didn't damage a covered structure, often $1,000 per loss and $500 per tree.

Declarations page

The front page of your policy, listing your limits, deductibles (including any named-storm deductible) and endorsements.

Deductible

Your share of a covered loss. It can be a dollar amount or a percentage of Coverage A.

Depreciation

The amount taken off replacement cost for age and wear. Salt exposure and sun can affect how an adjuster rates a roof's condition.

Drip edge

The metal strip along eaves and rakes that guides water into the gutter and helps protect the roof edge.

Duties after loss

Things your policy requires after damage, such as prompt notice, protecting the home from more damage, keeping receipts and proving the loss.

Endorsement

An add-on form that changes the base policy, such as a named-storm deductible, a roof schedule or a cosmetic exclusion.

Examination under oath (EUO)

Formal, sworn questioning the insurer may require under the policy, often recorded, usually in larger or disputed claims.

Flashing

Metal that seals roof joints at walls, chimneys, vents and valleys. On the coast it should resist corrosion.

FORTIFIED Roof

An IBHS construction standard using a sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails and stronger edges to resist wind and wind-driven rain. NCIUA has offered grants toward it.

Functional damage

Damage that hurts the roof's ability to shed water or shortens its life, as opposed to appearance only.

Granule loss

Missing surface grit on asphalt shingles. Round spots can point to hail; widespread thinning is often age.

Hail size

Hail is measured across its widest point. The National Weather Service counts one inch, about quarter size, as severe.

Holdback

The depreciation an insurer keeps back until your repairs are finished and invoiced; also called recoverable depreciation.

Ice and water barrier

A peel-and-stick waterproof membrane used in valleys and around penetrations; on the coast it helps where wind drives rain.

Matching

Whether an insurer pays to replace undamaged materials so a repair matches. Policy language and state rules govern it.

Named-storm deductible

A deductible, often a percentage, that applies when a storm named by the National Hurricane Center causes the loss.

NCIUA (Beach Plan)

The North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association, which writes wind and hail coverage, and some full property policies, in the 18 coastal counties when the regular market won't.

Nor'easter

A strong coastal low with northeast winds, most common from fall through spring. It can bring hours of gusty wind and wind-driven rain.

Ordinance or law coverage

Pays added costs to meet current building codes during repairs, up to a limit.

Overhead and profit (O&P)

A general contractor's markup for running a job with several trades, such as roof, siding and interior work.

Percentage deductible

A deductible set as a share of Coverage A, such as 1%, 2% or 5%, common for wind and named storms near the coast.

Proof of loss

A signed, sworn statement of what you are claiming. North Carolina's standard provisions point to a 60-day window unless extended.

Public adjuster

An adjuster licensed by the NC Department of Insurance whom you hire, usually for a percentage, to handle your claim.

Recoverable depreciation

Withheld depreciation you can collect on a replacement cost policy once repairs are done, by the policy's deadline.

Reinspection

A second inspection you request when you disagree with the first, ideally with your roofer there.

Replacement cost value (RCV)

Today's cost to repair or replace with materials of like kind and quality, before depreciation.

Roof payment schedule

An endorsement that pays a set percentage of roof cost based on the roof's age and material.

Soft metal

Thin metal such as gutters, vents, flashing and heat pump fins that dents first in hail and helps show storm size.

Square (SQ)

Roofers' unit of area: 100 square feet of roof surface.

Steep charge

Extra labor added to an estimate for roofs too steep to walk normally.

Storm chaser

A traveling contractor who follows storms and canvasses door to door. They are common after hurricanes on the coast.

Suit limitation clause

The policy term limiting how long you have to sue; North Carolina generally allows three years from the loss.

Supplement

A follow-up request, with proof, to add items or quantities to an estimate, often after tear-off reveals more damage.

Test square

A marked 10-by-10-foot patch on a slope where an adjuster or roofer counts hail hits.

Underlayment

The felt or synthetic sheet under the shingles or metal, the second line of defense when wind lifts the roof covering.

Wind-driven rain

Rain pushed sideways by strong wind into vents, flashing, windows and siding gaps that stay dry in ordinary rain.

Wind/hail deductible

A separate deductible for wind and hail losses. On the coast it may be set by an NCIUA or homeowners policy.

Xactimate

Estimating software from Verisk used by many insurers and roofers to price repairs line by line with regional prices.