Roof leaks are one of the most common structural problems a property owner will face. If you’ve discovered your roof has sprung a leak, you may be wondering whether you should contact your insurance provider.
Whether the leak was caused by storm damage, an ageing roof, or an accident, homeowners should refer to their insurance policies while also sourcing a roof leak repair contractor.
In this article, We’ll look at what is (and isn’t) covered by most home insurance providers when it comes to leaking roof repairs.
Home insurance will typically include cover for damages or leaks to roofs; however, not all roof leaks are covered.
Each policy will be entirely dependent on the provider and the individual policy that was taken out. In many instances, it will come down to the situation and how the leak originated.
For instance, if the roof leak was caused by a freak event or by a storm, then your home insurance provide is more likely to provide cover than if the roof leak occurred as the result of poor maintenance/general deterioration over time.
Again, A standard homeowner or building insurance policy covers the most common risks and dangers to your home.
On your insurance policy, these may be listed as covered perils. Your policy will also disclose the named exclusions (the instances in which your home will not be covered). It’s important to take note of these perils and exclusions as they will determine how helpful your homeowner’s insurance policy will be in the case of a roofing emergency.
Generally speaking, home insurance covers roof leaks; however, it will depend on the nature of the leak.
There is a common trend with insurance policies that shows that providers will cover repair costs for leaks and damages that were unavoidable. If the leak occurred as a result of failure to maintain a roof, it might not be covered by home insurance. Essentially, the cause of the roof leak is what determines whether the damage will be covered.
The most common instances in which your roof leak damages will be covered by homeowner’s insurance include:
The burning question – “roof leak should I call insurance?”. The aforementioned situations are usually covered by insurance policies as they are unavoidable, and there was nothing you can do to prevent the leak from occurring.
The most common policy exclusions for roof leak damages include:
Generally speaking, if the leak was avoidable or could have easily been prevented, then the homeowner insurance provider may class it as exclusion and won’t cover the damages.
From the perspective of an insurance company, a home insurance policy is not a maintenance policy and the responsibility to take care of the roof is on the homeowner. Furthermore, depending on your insurance policy, the roof of your home may be only partly covered for the cost of the leak repair.
Keep in mind that these situations do not apply to every insurance provider, and we strongly advise homeowners to consult their policy in the event of any roofing damage. Every insurance policy is different, and it is worth getting in contact with your homeowner’s insurance provider to better understand the nature of the insurance claims.
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