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Will insurance cover your roof tarp? Generally yes, if it's done right.

Most homeowner's insurance policies cover emergency roof tarping after storm or weather damage. But coverage is not automatic, it depends on how the tarp is installed, what's documented, and whether you have proof. We handle all of it.

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The short answer

Yes, insurance typically covers emergency roof tarping.

Most standard homeowner's insurance policies include coverage for emergency protective measures, including roof tarping, when the damage is caused by a covered peril like a storm, wind, hail, or a fallen tree. This is often called "reasonable repairs" or "emergency mitigation" coverage.

The purpose is straightforward: your insurer wants to minimize total damage. A $500 tarp that prevents $20,000 in interior water damage is exactly the kind of expense they are designed to cover.

However, the coverage is not unconditional. Insurance companies have specific requirements around how mitigation work is performed and documented. Meeting those requirements is the difference between a smooth claim and a denied one.

The bottom line

Tarping is typically covered, but only when it is done professionally and documented properly. That is exactly what we do, on every single job.

Q
Does homeowner's insurance cover roof tarping?

In most cases, yes. Emergency tarping is generally covered as a "reasonable repair" to prevent further damage after a covered event. Review your policy's mitigation or emergency repair clause, or call your insurer directly.

Q
Does insurance pay for a tarp after a storm?

Yes, storm damage is one of the most common covered perils. Wind, hail, and falling trees are all typically covered. Emergency tarping performed after storm damage is almost always reimbursable under standard policies.

Q
Will insurance cover tarping if I do it myself?

Possibly not. Many insurance companies require that emergency repairs be performed in a "workmanlike manner" with proper documentation. A DIY tarp with no before-and-after photos, no damage report, and no professional assessment may be denied or only partially reimbursed.

Q
How do I get reimbursed for a roof tarp?

File your tarping cost as part of your overall damage claim. You will need photos documenting the damage before the tarp was installed, photos after installation, a written scope of work, and proof of cost. We provide all of this automatically.

Why it matters

Unprofessional tarping can void your claim.

Insurance companies scrutinize emergency repair claims carefully. A tarp installed incorrectly, or without proper documentation, gives them grounds to deny or reduce your reimbursement. Here is what is at stake.

DIY or unprofessional tarping
No before-and-after photos, adjuster cannot verify original damage scope
No written damage assessment, no proof of what was damaged or how severely
Improper installation may cause additional damage, which insurers can exclude from coverage
Claim may be denied, delayed, or paid at a reduced amount
Any further water damage after an improper tarp may not be covered
Professional tarping with Get a Tarp
Comprehensive before-and-after photo documentation of all damage
Written damage report with measurements in insurance-standard format
Installation performed correctly and securely, reducing further damage risk
Documentation formatted the way adjusters actually use it, faster approvals
Your records belong to you, usable with any insurer or contractor
Important coverage note
Some insurance policies explicitly state that damage caused by improper or inadequate emergency repairs is not covered. If a DIY tarp fails and water continues to enter your home, your insurer may argue that the additional damage is your liability, not theirs. Professional installation protects your claim.
What we deliver

The documentation package your adjuster expects.

We have spent 13 years producing inspection reports for insurance companies. We know exactly what goes in a complete, adjuster-ready file, because we built the standards they use.

01
Pre-tarp damage photos
High-resolution images of all visible damage before any protective measures are taken. This establishes the original scope of loss, critical for your adjuster to approve the full claim amount.
02
Post-tarp installation photos
Documentation showing the tarp properly installed and secured. This proves the emergency repair was completed in a workmanlike manner, a key requirement for reimbursement under most policies.
03
Written damage assessment
A structured written report describing the damage location, type, and estimated affected area. Formatted to match the documentation standard insurance adjusters use and recognize every day.
04
Measurements and scope
Accurate measurements of the damaged area and tarp coverage. Adjusters use this to validate repair estimates and ensure the claimed area matches what was actually affected.
05
Cost documentation
A clear record of what was charged and what was performed, exactly what you need to submit your tarping expense as part of your overall property damage claim.
13+
Years producing inspection reports
for insurance companies directly
Same documentation format adjusters use daily
2,000+ property inspections completed every day
Reports delivered to you, not through a third party
No financial interest in your roofing contractor
Documentation included with every job, no extra charge
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Step by step

How to file your roof tarp insurance claim

After we install your tarp and deliver your documentation, here is how to use it to get reimbursed.

1
Contact your insurance company

Notify your insurer of the damage as soon as possible. Most policies require "prompt notice" of a loss. Report the full scope, the roof damage and any interior damage caused by water intrusion.

2
Submit your Get a Tarp documentation

Provide your adjuster with the full documentation package we deliver after every job: pre- and post-tarp photos, written damage report, measurements, and cost record. This is the complete package they need.

3
Request full reimbursement

Ask that the tarping cost be included in your total claim as an emergency mitigation expense. With proper documentation, this is a routine line item in storm damage claims,not something you should have to fight for.

4
Keep all your records

Your documentation belongs to you, not us. Keep copies of everything. If your claim is questioned or disputed, having organized, professional records gives you a clear paper trail to stand behind.

5
Choose your own roofer

We are only in the tarping business. Once your roof is protected and your claim is filed, you choose your own roofing contractor for repairs, completely independently of us. No referral, no kickback, no pressure.

?
Questions about your specific policy?

Coverage varies by insurer and policy. We recommend reviewing your homeowner's policy or calling your insurer directly. We can provide the documentation, they interpret the coverage.

Insurance FAQ

Questions about insurance and roof tarping

In most cases, yes. Standard homeowner's insurance policies include coverage for emergency protective measures, including tarping, when the damage results from a covered peril such as wind, hail, storm, or a falling tree. The key is that the work must be performed in a workmanlike manner and properly documented. We handle both.
Generally yes, as long as wind or storm damage is a covered peril in your policy. This is one of the most common scenarios we see. After major storm events, emergency tarping is almost universally covered by standard homeowner's policies. Contact your insurer to confirm the specifics of your plan.
Yes, and the most common reasons are lack of documentation, no proof of the pre-damage condition, or evidence that the repair was performed incorrectly and caused additional damage. This is exactly why professional installation with full before-and-after documentation matters. A denied tarp claim is almost always a documentation problem, not a coverage problem.
Your adjuster will want clear photos of the damaged area before the tarp was installed, and photos showing the completed tarp installation. Both sets should show the scope of damage, the location on the roof, and confirmation that the tarp is secured properly. We take both sets on every job and include them in your documentation package.
Typically, the tarping cost is included as part of your overall claim, not treated separately. Your deductible applies to the total claim. So if your total storm damage claim is $15,000 and your deductible is $2,000, the tarping expense is folded into that claim rather than being a separate deductible event.
Pre-existing damage complicates claims. Insurers will typically only cover the new damage caused by the covered event, not any prior wear or damage. This is another reason professional documentation matters: our before-and-after photos and written assessment help establish a clear record of what was new damage versus pre-existing conditions, which protects you during the adjustment process.
As quickly as possible, for two reasons. First, additional water damage that occurs after the initial event may not be covered if your insurer determines you failed to take reasonable steps to mitigate the loss. Second, most policies require prompt notice of a claim. Getting a professional tarp installed quickly both protects your home and demonstrates to your insurer that you acted responsibly.

Protect your roof. Protect your claim.

Get a professional tarp installed with full insurance documentation, by the company that has been doing this for insurance adjusters for 13 years. No upsell, no pressure, no roofing sales pitch.

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