Does home insurance cover roof leaks

In this post, we discuss the topic of roof leaks and answer questions about what’s covered by home insurance, which could help if you need to deal with an unexpected leak in your home.

Depending on the materials and methods used to build it, and the weather conditions it faces, a good roof can last anywhere from 20-50 years. Keeping your roof well maintained, with the support of professional tradesmen, will ensure you make the most of its lifespan. But there may also be occasions where it begins to leak. In this article, we’ll explore some practical steps you can take if a leak occurs and whether your home insurance will be able to cover the cost of the repairs.

Does home insurance cover roof leaks?

If the damage to your roof was caused by an unexpected incident (such as a storm, vandalism or falling trees) you could be covered by your home or buildings insurance. However, your insurer will look for evidence that this damage wasn’t the result of poor maintenance.  

Damage caused by general wear and tear, such as already loose tiles being blown off during a storm, probably won’t be protected by your policy. As a homeowner, you’re required to keep your property in good working order and to maintain it well.

However, as every policy is different, you will need to check your policy details. In certain cases, a home insurance policy may also include a roof exclusion which outlines specific work or circumstances that will not be covered.

Does buildings insurance cover roof repairs?

Your cover will depend on the policy you take out.

For example, a policy may state which materials a roof needs to be constructed from for cover to apply, such as:

• Slate
• Tile
• Metal
• Concrete
• Asphalt

An insurer will also state what incidents your roof will be covered against. Buildings insurance often includes cover for damage caused by:

• Fire
• Explosion
• Lightning
• Storm
• Falling Trees
• Subsidence

However, general wear and tear, such as defective rendering, is unlikely to be covered. As well as this, you won’t be able to claim for having a chimney repointed or for general roof maintenance.

Will home insurance cover roof leaks in a flat?

Whether your home insurance will cover the costs of damage caused by a roof leak will depend on your circumstances - are you a tenant, leaseholder, or freeholder?

Tenants

Taking out a buildings insurance policy will be your landlord’s responsibility and they will be the one who makes a claim.

However, as a renter, you can still take out contents insurance and some insurers do offer policies specifically for tenants. If any of your possessions have been damaged by a leaking roof, get in touch with your provider to learn if a claim can be made.

Leaseholders

Who is responsible for buildings insurance will be detailed in the lease agreement. Typically, the responsibility usually sits with the freeholder, so they may need to manage the claims process.

Freeholder

Freeholders are responsible for taking out buildings insurance for the whole building. For flats, those with a share of the freehold will need to make a collective decision about what policy to take out and appoint someone to manage any claims process. Responsibility sometimes falls to whoever has the largest share of the freehold, but not always. It is worth enquiring to find out where responsibility lies.

Can you claim for a new roof on home insurance?

A claim will only include repairs to the affected area of the roof. As such, if you wish to install a new roof, your home insurance probably won’t cover the cost of a full replacement.

There may be unique circumstances where the damage can’t be rectified by repairs alone, or it’s actually more cost-effective to replace the roof than patch repair it, but this is unusual.

How do I make a claim if my roof leak is covered by my home insurance?

If you’re able to claim against your home insurance and you decide to progress this, there are a few steps you can take to help the process along.

Share the details

Using the number on your policy document, ring your insurer and provide plenty of details on your roof issue and the damage that it’s caused.

Catch it on camera

Taking photos or videos to show the issues with your roof and any damage caused by the leak will help to support your claim. Documenting this throughout the process can also be helpful.

Set the scene

Collating evidence to prove your roof has been well looked after over the years can help when claiming on your home insurance. Examples could include receipts for previous repairs or maintenance work.

Ask about next steps

Unless work has to be carried out on your roof as a matter of urgency, your insurer will usually want to appoint a tradesman to assess and carry out repairs. If, however, works must be delivered immediately your provider may reimburse you afterwards. Some home insurance offers an emergency helpline, which will be detailed in their policy documents, if urgent assistance is needed.

Confirm your excess

There may be an excess outlined for your home insurance and this may vary depending on the claim you’re making. Knowing how much you need to financially contribute to your claim can help you prepare and progress through the process.

Does home insurance cover plumbing?

Of course, it’s not just roofs that leak, pipes can too. In many cases, if a pipe leaks and damages your property, the damage caused by this leak will often be covered by home insurance, but this will depend on your policy.

The pipe repairs, however, may not be. This is because many insurance providers deem pipework and plumbing to be part of the homeowner’s maintenance responsibilities.

If surrounding items are damaged, such as furniture or clothing, they could also be covered by your contents insurance. A contents policy can sit separately from buildings insurance or bought in combination. It doesn’t cover the building itself, just the items within it.

Is water damage covered by home insurance?

The details around water damage cover differ greatly from one policy and provider to the next, so it’s always best to do your research. If water damage occurs because of an unexpected event, such as a storm, you may be covered by your home insurance. Escape of water from fixed installations like radiators, showers or washing machines may also be covered by certain policies.

With all cases, it’s important to note that if the plumbing and pipework have not been kept in good working order, your claim may not be successful.

There are also certain circumstances that may require additional or specific policies to be in place. The situations are more common for homes in areas prone to flooding or with a history of flooding. However, if you’re in doubt about the policies you may need for your property, it’s always best to talk to your insurance provider about the cover available.

Whatever the issue, when your home is damaged and needs repairs it’s good to be able to act quickly and confidently.

How to fix a leaking roof

Remember, you should always be cautious when undertaking any DIY or maintenance task you aren’t familiar with and seek professional help where needed. If you suspect your roof is leaking, get this checked by a professional roofer.

If there’s a flow of water, capture this with a suitable container to minimise damage. You should also cover or move any furniture that may get damaged by dripping water.

Should a leaking pipe be causing damage to your roof, take the following steps:

• Locate your stopcock and use it to turn off your home water supply. These are typically found in under your kitchen sink or near your boiler.
• Run your taps to get the water out of the system.
• Get in touch with your insurer to provide details of the leak and the damage caused.

Summary

We hope this article has helped shed some light on roof repairs and what your home or contents insurance is likely to cover in relation to roof leaks. Key points to takeaway are:

• Home insurance can cover damage caused by natural disasters or accidents but is unlikely to extend to roofs that leak due to poor maintenance.
• Keep a record of any roof repairs or maintenance work to show you’ve kept your roof in good condition, prior to the damage.
• If you’re unsure what your home insurance covers, check your policy documents or get in touch with your provider.
• Those living in flats may have buildings insurance already in place if they’re either tenants or leaseholders, but claims will be handled by the freeholder.
• Always exercise caution when undertaking roof repairs and seek professional help – water damage from leaks might be minimised by switching your supply off.

If you would like to learn more about home insurance offered through Age Co, click here for more information or to get a quote.