Ordinance or law coverage is a provision some property policies include that relates to the extra cost of meeting current building codes when a covered loss is repaired or rebuilt. Whether your policy has it, and how it is written, can change what a covered roof loss actually costs you out of pocket, so it is worth finding it in your policy before a storm.
This page explains the concept in general terms. It is not insurance or legal advice, policies differ, and your agent and your policy are the authority on yours.
Why does it come up on roofs?
Building codes change over time. A house built decades ago may have been built to rules that no longer match what is required today. When a roof is replaced, current code can require things the old roof did not have, and those requirements add work and cost. Examples that can come up on a roof replacement include decking condition, underlayment, flashing and ventilation details, depending on the local rules.
The policy question is who pays for that added work. A standard policy generally pays to repair or replace what was damaged. The added cost of bringing things up to current code is a separate question, and that is where an ordinance or law provision can matter.
What does the term usually mean?
Policies use different names, sometimes "building code compliance" or "ordinance and law". In general terms, the provision addresses the added cost of complying with building codes when a covered loss is repaired. Policies can set it up in different ways, for example with a stated limit, a percentage of the dwelling coverage, or as an optional add-on. Some policies may limit or exclude it.
| Question about your policy | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the coverage included or optional? | You may need to have added it before a loss |
| Is there a limit? | A limit can cap how much of the code work is covered |
| How is the limit stated? | Dollar amount or percentage of the dwelling coverage |
| Does it apply to roofs? | Some policies treat certain parts of the home differently |
| What triggers it? | Typically a covered loss, not routine maintenance |
These are the types of questions to ask. They are not statements about what any particular policy says.
What can code upgrades look like on a roof?
Our owner, Jeremy Hays, says the term is one nobody seems to know until it matters. His observation from working with homeowners is that "ordinance and law" and "building code compliance" are phrases most people have never read in their own policy, yet the way a policy handles them can change the whole outcome of a claim.
On a typical Oklahoma roof, the code work that tends to be discussed in the field includes the deck underneath the shingles. If the existing decking does not meet current requirements, bringing it into line is the kind of line item people ask about. Our redeck guide explains what that work involves.
We are describing what we hear and see. Whether any specific item is required for your roof depends on your local building department, and whether it is paid depends on your policy.
How to find it in your policy
- Pull out your declarations page and the full policy document.
- Search for "ordinance", "law", "code" and "building code".
- Note whether it appears as an included coverage, an endorsement, or not at all.
- Write down any limit or percentage that is stated.
- Ask your agent to explain in plain language how it would work on a roof loss.
- Ask whether it can be added or increased, and what that would change.
Questions to ask your agent
- If my roof is damaged by a covered event, would code-related costs be included?
- Is ordinance or law coverage on my policy, and what is the limit?
- Does it apply the same way to a roof as to the rest of the house?
- Can I raise the limit, and how would that change my premium?
- Is there anything in my policy that limits roof coverage?
Why a roofer cannot answer this for you
A roofer can tell you what the work involves and what the local code generally asks for. A roofer cannot tell you what your insurer will pay. That decision is made under your specific policy, and it is not something we predict or promise.
Frequently asked questions
Is ordinance or law coverage the same as building code coverage? The names vary. Many policies use "ordinance or law" or "building code compliance" for the same general idea. Read your own wording.
Do all homeowner policies include it? Not necessarily. Some include it, some offer it as an add-on, and some limit it. Check yours.
Does it pay for a new roof? No. It addresses the added cost of code-related work on a covered loss. Whether the roof loss itself is covered depends on the cause and your policy.
Should I add it before a storm? That is a decision for you and your agent. Ask what it would cost and what it would do for your home.
Will my roofer know if I have it? Not unless you tell them or show them. Your agent and your policy have the answer.
Talk to us about your roof
Total Roof Protection OKC can inspect your roof and explain what we see and what the work would involve. Call 405-415-5841 to schedule an inspection. An inspection tells you about the roof. It does not predict or replace your insurer's decision.