Navigating the New Normal: What Kansas Homeowners Need to Know About Roofing & Insurance in 2025

If you're a homeowner in Cowley County—especially in Winfield or Arkansas City—you may have heard rumblings of change in the world of homeowner's insurance and roofing. And you're not imagining things: the rules are shifting, the fine print matters more than ever, and the way roof claims are handled is evolving fast.

At Hartley Roofing, we’re committed to helping you stay informed, protected, and prepared—not just when you need a roof, but long before the storm hits.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening, what it means for you as a homeowner, and how to protect your investment without getting caught in the confusion.

What’s Causing the Shake-Up?

In 2025, the insurance industry is navigating major pressure on a national scale—and it's starting to show at the local level. The changes you’re seeing aren’t decisions made by your local insurance agent. They’re driven by broader market conditions, including:

• An increase in severe weather events (hail, wind, wildfires, hurricanes) nationwide

• Underwriting tightening, especially related to roof age and condition

• Rising reinsurance costs for carriers, which trickle down into policy changes

• Shifts from Replacement Cost Value (RCV) coverage to Actual Cash Value (ACV)

• New documentation requirements and stricter depreciation standards

These shifts aren’t designed to make things harder for homeowners—but that’s often the result when you’re caught unaware.

What Homeowners in Kansas Are Experiencing

In recent months, we’ve worked with homeowners across Winfield and Arkansas City who were surprised by how their roof claims played out.

Here are some of the patterns we’re seeing:

• Older roofs no longer qualify for full replacement coverage (RCV)

• Deductibles are increasing, especially for wind and hail claims

• Claims are being paid based on depreciated value (ACV) unless very specific conditions are met

• Roof age documentation is being required before coverage is approved

• Some homeowners have even received notices that their policy won’t be renewed unless their roof is replaced within a set timeframe

In most cases, homeowners believed they had strong coverage—only to find out their policy had changed, or included conditions they weren’t aware of.

It’s important to note: these surprises are not due to negligence by local insurance agents. In fact, most agents are just as frustrated by the rapid changes in coverage rules. Many simply don’t have control over how corporate underwriters assess roof-related claims.

What You Can Do as a Homeowner

You can’t control the weather—and you can’t always control the insurance marketplace—but you can take steps to protect yourself:

1. Review Your Policy Before Storm Season

Don’t wait until you need to file a claim to read the fine print. Contact your agent and ask:

• Is my roof covered under RCV or ACV?

• Are there age limits or exclusions I should be aware of?

• What documentation will I need if I ever file a claim?

2. Know the Age and Condition of Your Roof

If you don’t have proof of when your roof was installed, now’s the time to track it down. In many cases, a missing invoice can be the difference between full replacement and partial payout.

3. Schedule a Free Roof Inspection

At Hartley Roofing, we offer no-obligation roof inspections for homeowners in Cowley County. We document the current condition of your roof and can provide a report you can keep on file—just in case.

We Partner With Insurance Agents—Not Against Them

We want to be clear: we’re not here to point fingers at insurance agents. In fact, many of them refer their clients to us because they know we take the time to educate, document, and advocate when it matters most.

We’ve built strong relationships with local agents by focusing on what’s best for the homeowner—clear communication, honest inspections, and dependable local service.

We Don’t Need Your Roof—But We’re Here If You Do

At Hartley Roofing, we don’t knock on doors, push sales, or take advantage of uncertainty. We’re here to provide clarity in a time when the rules are changing—and to give you options before you’re stuck navigating them alone.

We’ve been proud to serve Cowley County for years, and we’re even prouder to be members of both the Winfield Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce. Our commitment is to this community, not chasing the next storm.

Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection Today

If you’re unsure about what your policy covers—or just want peace of mind heading into storm season—we’re here to help.

Call Hartley Roofing today to schedule your free inspection and start the season with confidence.

Hartley Roofing

✔ Local. Trusted. Ready to Serve.

✔ Proud Member of the Winfield Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce