If you live here, you know how wild Knoxville’s weather can be and how fast an afternoon of sunshine can change to black skies with rain beating on your shingles like a drumline halftime show. I’ve been on hundreds of roofs after major storms and cannot stress to you enough how important it is to have an insurance policy that will actually help and save you thousands of dollars vs doing only the bare (and I mean bare) minimum.

Hey, Knoxville Homeowners!

From defending the Vols to defending your roof, Daniel Hood knows how to protect your home and your wallet. Learn how choosing the right insurance can make all the difference—straight from a VFL.

I’m Daniel Hood, the only VFL roofing expert you’ll probably ever meet. As a licensed general contractor, licensed public adjuster and former defensive lineman at the University of Tennessee, I used to tackle opponents, but now I tackle roof damage.

I’m here to break down why you need the right home insurance policy, what coverage to get, how to lock it in, and what could happen if you don’t act before the next major storm hits.

 I’ve got you covered—let’s make sure your roof does, too.

We earn our customers trust by helping them pick the right protection for their home. Keep reading to see which insurance companies I recommend to keep your home covered.

Protecting Your Roof: Why the Right Insurance Is Essential

It Saves You Serious Cash: A new roof—whether an asphalt roof replacement or a metal roof replacement, can run $10,000–$30,000 for a home and way more for commercial properties. With the right policy, you’re only paying your deductible.
It Cuts the Stress: When a storm trashes your roof, the last thing you want to be doing is wrestling with your insurance company (plot twist, they usually win). With a solid policy, it lets you focus on your family, not your bank account.
It Keeps You Code Compliant: Knoxville’s building codes are always evolving, especially after big storms (convenient, right?). Without coverage for code upgrades, you’re stuck paying for things like ice and water barriers or impact-resistant shingles out of pocket.

Here’s a quick story from a commercial client I helped here in Knoxville- a nasty windstorm tore through their property, damaging multiple roofs. The initial estimate was only $3,000—barely enough to slap on some patches, but because they had a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) Policy with Law and Ordinance coverage….

I turned that $3,000 into a $1.4 million dollar project as their public adjuster.

If they’d had an Actual Cash Value (ACV) policy, they’d have gotten just $700,000, leaving their homeowners to cough up the remaining $700,000 out of pocket. Not a conversation I’d want to be part of!

That RCV policy was a game-changer and the Law & Ordinance coverage let us add ice and water barriers in leak-prone areas, giving them even better roofs than before.

What Insurance Coverage You Need

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff: what coverage do you need to protect your Knoxville home? As the top roofing and claims expert in town, I’m telling you to go for an RCV policy with Law and Ordinance coverage. Here’s a breakdown of what they are and why they’re non-negotiable:

Replacement Cost Value (RCV) Policy:

An RCV policy is your MVP. It covers the full cost to repair or replace your roof with materials as close, if not the same, to what you had, whether it’s a shingle roof replacement or a metal roof replacement, minus your deductible, without docking you for depreciation. If a hailstorm wrecks your 15 year-old shingle roof, RCV pays for a new one, no matter how old it was.

Now, compare that to an ACV policy. ACV only pays the “current value” of your roof after depreciation. Say your $20,000 roof is 15 years old with a 30-year lifespan. It’s depreciated 50%, so you might get $10,000 (minus your deductible), leaving you to cover $10,000–$11,000 for a new roof.

Then there’s the Roof Payment Schedule (RPS). RPS sounds like RCV, but slashes your payout based on roof age, so you’re still out thousands. I’ve met homeowners who were confused by the RPS fine print, thinking they were covered, but were not.

Law and Ordinance Coverage:

This one’s a must. Law and Ordinance coverage pays for upgrades to meet Knoxville’s latest building codes when you replace your roof. After a storm, codes might require impact-resistant shingles, better underlayment, or ice and water barriers that can add $1,000–$5,000 to your total. Without this coverage, those costs come out of your pocket, even if your claim was approved. It’s like fumbling the ball on the goal line, people might boo.

Why ACV and RPS Are Trouble

ACV and RPS policies are like signing up for a losing season.

ACV Downsides:

Big Bills: Depreciation cuts your payout, leaving you paying 50% or more. A $20,000 metal roof replacement could easily cost you $10,000–$15,000 out of pocket.That’s a lot of money!
Shoddy Repairs: Low payouts push you toward cheap materials, leading to another leaking roof sooner than you think.
No Recovery: You don’t get depreciation back after repairs.

RPS Downsides:

Deceptive Terms: Marketed as RCV, pays like ACV.
Hard to Spot: Buried in the fine print, catching folks off guard.
No Flexibility: Makes it tough to upgrade to a metal roof replacement without having to pay extra.

As the only VFL roofer, I’ve seen ACV and RPS policies destroy budgets. Stick with RCV and Law and Ordinance—it’s the only way to win.

How to Get the Right Coverage

So, how do you make sure your policy’s ready for Knoxville’s next big storm? Here’s my game plan:

Check Your Policy

Grab your declarations page. Look for “RCV” or “ACV” under roof or dwelling coverage. If you see “Roof Payment Schedule” or “depreciation schedule,” you’re not fully covered.
Confirm Law and Ordinance coverage is listed, usually as an endorsement. If it’s missing, call your agent. It’s a quick fix!

Shop for RCV with Law and Ordinance

Work with an independent agent who can compare policies. Ask for RCV with no RPS and strong Law and Ordinance coverage.
Companies like Selective and Travelers have impressed me with their RCV policies for Knoxville homeowners. They handle claims fairly, which I’ll touch on later.

Replace Your Roof Proactively

If your roof’s aging (15–20 years for asphalt, longer for metal), get a new asphalt roof replacement or metal roof replacement now. It can lower premiums and make claims smoother. It’s also one of the best steps to prevent roof leaks.
Asphalt roofs last 20–30 years, metal 40–70 years, but hail and wind can shorten that. Call us for a free inspection!

Hire the Best

Pick a contractor who knows claims like I do. At Daniel Hood Roofing, we inspect for roof damage, document every detail, and fight for your full claim. Nobody in Knoxville does it better.

File Claims Fast

Tennessee gives you one year to file after storm damage, but don’t wait! Hail or wind can lead to a leaking roof or hidden damage if ignored for too long. Get your roof professionally inspected ASAP.

As a VFL, I learned you don’t just show up—you bring your A-game. Follow these steps and your insurance will be ready for whatever Knoxville’s weather throws at you.

Out-of-Pocket Costs: RCV vs. ACV vs. RPS

Let’s break it down with numbers. Say you need a $20,000 asphalt roof replacement after a hailstorm, with a $1,000 deductible and a 15-year-old roof (50% depreciated, 30-year lifespan). Here’s what you would pay:

RCV Policy:

Insurer pays: $19,000 ($20,000 minus $1,000 deductible).
You pay: $1,000 (deductible).
Code upgrades (e.g., ice & water), covered by Law and Ordinance.

ACV Policy:

Roof’s worth $10,000 after depreciation.
Insurer pays: $9,000 ($10,000 minus $1,000 deductible).
You pay: $11,000 ($1,000 deductible + $10,000 depreciation). Add $2,000 for code upgrades, and you’re at $13,000.

RPS Policy (e.g., Allstate):

Pays like ACV: $9,000 after depreciation and deductible.
You pay: $11,000–$13,000, including code upgrades.

With RCV, you can save $10,000–$12,000. That’s money you can use to buy tickets for the game against Alabama or towards a new metal roof for longer lasting protection of your home.

What If You Don’t Fix Your Policy Now?

If you’re stuck with an ACV or RPS policy or missing Law and Ordinance coverage, here’s what could happen when the next storm hits:

You’re Out Thousands: A windstorm wrecks your roof and you’re hit with $10,000–$20,000 in out-of-pocket costs. That’s a major budget-buster for most Knoxville families.
Your Roof’s Junk: Low payouts mean cheap repairs, leading to a leaking roof and more headaches.
No Coverage: If your roof’s too old (20+ years for asphalt), insurers might drop you, leaving you scrambling when you’re needing help the most.
Code Nightmares: Without Law and Ordinance, you’re paying thousands for code upgrades, even if your claim’s approved.

I had a residential client who learned this the hard way. A windstorm damaged their 10-year-old asphalt roof and they thought a roof replacement would only cost them their $1,000 deductible. Their ACV policy had a “matching exclusion” meaning their insurer only paid $500 toward the full roof.

They were stuck with a $9,500 bill all because they didn’t have RCV.

But what if you don’t wait and change your policy right now? An RCV policy with Law and Ordinance coverage means minimal costs, a roof that meets code, and most importantly peace of mind. I recommend Selective and Travelers to our customers; their RCV policies deliver and have a thorough claims process that ensures that you’re covered properly. Don’t wait for the next big storm to find out your insurance only plans on protecting themselves.

By Daniel Hood, VFL and Owner of Daniel Hood Roofing Systems

As Knoxville’s top roofing expert, I’m a licensed general contractor and public adjuster who’s helped hundreds of homeowners navigate insurance claims after hail and windstorms. A former University of Tennessee football player, I bring the same grit and preparation from the field to every roofing project at Daniel Hood Roofing Systems, ensuring your home is protected with the right coverage.

Crafted by Daniel Hood with help from AI tools to polish the details, this article reflects my 15 years of roofing expertise.

Why You Need the Right Insurance for Your Roof