Code upgrade coverage

NC's residential building code adopts updates on a rolling cycle, and each cycle changes something relevant to a roof replacement: drip-edge requirements, nailing patterns, ice-and-water-shield extents, deck attachment in high-wind zones. An older home reroofed after a storm must comply with current code regardless of what the original roof had. If the carrier's scope omits those code-mandated upgrades, the homeowner pays the difference out of pocket — unless ordinance-and-law coverage is on the policy.

Most standard NC homeowner policies include some ordinance-and-law coverage — ten percent of the dwelling limit is common. On a $350,000 home that is $35,000, which is usually enough for roof code upgrades. The coverage only pays on items that are on the scope, so we list every code-required upgrade with the relevant NC code section cited. Carriers do not volunteer these line items. You have to put them on the scope and defend them.