Our homeowners insured (HO-2, 4/84) recently hired a contractor to replace her roof. He came by her house on a Friday afternoon and began the job. He took off most of the shingles and some of the sub-roof. He then covered the exposed portion with plastic and quit for the weekend.

Over the weekend, we had a big rain storm. The insured's roof collapsed from the weight of the water that collected on it. The inside of her home also suffered a great deal of water damage to the wall board, paint, and carpet. Her furniture was also damaged.

We believe that the collapse of the roof is covered. Is the subsequent damage also covered?

Wisconsin Subscriber

You are correct about the collapse. Weight of water collecting on a roof is one of the covered causes of loss for collapse.

Unfortunately, this presents an excellent example of why an HO-3 is preferable to an HO-2. The only way that an HO-2 covers water damage to the interior of a home (or to the home's contents) is if a hole is first created in the exterior of the home by wind or hail.

The HO-3 would cover the damage to the paint, wall board, and carpet. The limitation discussed above applies under an HO-3 only to personal property located in the home.