If a fire destroys part of the roof of a historic building with HO-8 coverage, what is the insurer's responsibility?

Under an HO-8 policy, which is designed for older homes, the coverage is limited to the actual cash value, meaning the insurer will typically pay for repairs based on the depreciated value of the damage rather than the cost to replace it in full. In the case of a fire partially destroying the roof of a historic building, the insurer's responsibility would involve a partial roof replacement, but only to meet current code specifications, rather than a full replacement or restoration to conditions that existed prior to the fire.

This approach acknowledges both the historical value of the structure and the necessity to conform to modern building codes while recognizing the limitations of the HO-8 policy. Options that imply a full roof replacement do not align with the intentions behind the HO-8 policy, which seeks to balance preservation of older homes with practical considerations in terms of costs and contemporary regulations.