What happens when replacement siding or shingles don't match? Is Minnesota a matching state?
Minnesota has no statute that specifically requires insurers to replace undamaged siding or shingles so everything matches; whether matching applies comes down to the wording of your policy. In Cedar Bluff Townhome v. American Family (2014), the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld an award replacing all the siding on 20 buildings because, under that policy, "comparable material and quality" required a reasonable color match.
Why doesn't new siding or roofing match?
| Material | Typical issue | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Discontinued vinyl or steel siding | Profile or color no longer made | No exact replacement panel exists |
| Faded siding | Years of sun change the color | New panels of the same color still look different |
| Discontinued shingle line | Color or shape out of production | Patch stands out; may not weave in |
| Different shingle exposure | Older 5" vs modern 5 5/8" shingles | New shingles don't line up with old courses |
| Old flashing and trim | Disturbed during repair | May need replacing along with the repaired area |
How do you prove a match isn't available?
With facts. We identify the siding or shingle (manufacturer, profile, color, exposure), check current availability with suppliers, and photograph every elevation so the whole picture is visible. When it helps, we pull a sample piece for identification. That documentation is what an insurer, or an appraisal panel as in Cedar Bluff, looks at.
What we document on every storm inspection
The Repair King Storm Damage Documentation Standard. You keep the report whether or not you hire us.
- Street view and every elevation photographed
- Every roof slope photographed, with close-ups of each damaged area
- Soft metals (vents, caps, gutters, AC fins) checked for dents
- Shingle brand, line and exposure identified; availability checked
- Hand-lift brittleness check on the existing shingles, when relevant
- Attic and decking checked for type, gaps, rot and past leaks
- Storm date and hail size at your address from NOAA reports
- Everything put into one report you keep, whether or not you hire us
Related questions
Sources
- Cedar Bluff Townhome Condo. Ass'n v. American Family Mut. Ins. Co., Minnesota Supreme Court, 2014 (A13-0124)
- Minn. Stat. § 325E.66 (residential roofing contractors and insurance claims)
This is general information about Minnesota law and building code, not insurance or legal advice. How it applies to your home depends on your policy and your situation; your insurance agent or an attorney can tell you. Minnesota law doesn't allow roofing contractors to negotiate claims for homeowners, so Repair King's role is inspection, documentation and the construction work.
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A licensed Minnesota contractor walks your roof, photographs everything and explains what we found in plain words. Or call (612) 354-7677.
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