A leaking roof is never welcome; its potential for causing widespread damage to your home can be huge, and the costs to repair it can be high. Luckily, homeowners’ insurance covers a leaking roof, but unfortunately, not in all cases. It all depends on the cause of the leak. Some causes of roof leaks are unavoidable, and it’s these that insurance companies are more likely to provide cover for. It’s the roof leaks caused by your own negligence or poor craftsmanship that insurers decide against paying out on.
In this blog, we look at this in a little more depth, so you understand whether you can make an insurance claim for your leaking roof.
Does home insurance cover roof leaks?
It does and it doesn’t. It all depends on the cause of the leak and where the damage occurs. Essentially, home insurance will cover you for roof leaks caused by unforeseen events, but it won’t for leaks caused by poor maintenance or repairs to existing damage.
What roof leaks are covered by home insurance?
Storm damage
Extreme weather can cause severe damage to your property, and often, your roof bears the brunt. Tiles could be ripped off, cracks could appear, and soon enough, water and other debris could enter the property. In cases like this, home insurance covers roof leaks; however, different policies have different restrictions, so it’s worth checking before making a claim.
Vandalism
If your roof is targeted by vandals and, as a result, it starts to leak, your insurer should cover some or all of the repair costs.
Falling trees
If a tree falls naturally or is cut back by a local tree surgeon, and it results in causing damage to your property that leads to a roof leak, your insurance policy should cover you. If you decided to cut a tree down and it falls on your home, though, it’s unlikely an insurer will be willing to support any claim.
What roof leaks are not covered by home insurance?
Even though many common causes of roof leaks are covered by home insurance, there are plenty of times a claim won’t be successful. These include:
Wear and tear
If your roof has started leaking because it’s now a little old, you’ve failed to keep up with recommended maintenance, or it’s generally in a bad condition, an insurer is unlikely to cover the costs of roof leak repair.
Faulty repairs
If your roof leak stems from a poor repair job and shoddy workmanship, the insurer will not be willing to support your claim. This applies whether the work was conducted by a roofing specialist or by yourself. It’s advisable to keep a log of any repairs and maintenance that have been conducted to make sure insurers have accurate information to refer to. You should also consider speaking to your chosen contractor to seek compensation.
Damage to home contents
If items within your home are damaged due to a roof leak, your home insurance will not cover them. For comprehensive coverage of these items, you must have a sufficient contents insurance policy in place.
Certain roof types
In some cases, you may not have the right insurance for your roof type to make a claim. Some roofs require specialist policies that normal home insurance doesn’t cover. Thatched roofs and slate roofs, for example, are often exempt from standard policies due to the nature of their construction and the materials used.
Does home insurance cover roof leaks in a flat?
Yes, it will, and much like with houses, it will depend on the cause of the leak, the type of roof and its age/condition. What you pay for, though, depends on your living arrangements. If you are renting, you’ll be fine with just contents insurance, as the landlord will be responsible for the building and its upkeep. If you own the freehold, you’ll need to source appropriate insurance to cover roof leak repair and be responsible for maintaining the roof.
How can you tell if your roof is leaking?
A few signs indicate that your roof is leaking, each quite easy to spot. However, roof leak detection by a specialist can sometimes be the best option, especially if you can’t quite pinpoint where any problems lie.
In the meantime, before a professional gives your roof a thorough investigation, you can do the following:
- Look for clear indications of a leak indoors, such as mould, moisture, drips or a damp ceiling.
- Investigate the loft. Look for dark spots, mould and any dripping water.
- Look for light creeping in. In your loft, turn off the lights and see if daylight is appearing through any holes or cracks.
- Check for missing tiles. Perhaps the most obvious thing to look for. If tiles are missing, water is getting in!
- Check for cracks. For flat roofs, look for cracks in the surface or if the seams aren’t joining together properly.
- Gently hose the roof and have someone indoors check for any signs of water making its way in.
Tips to prevent roof leaks
Our list below will help you prevent roof leaks, help keep repair costs down and stop your insurance premiums from rising dramatically.
- Check roof tiles often. Look for signs of damage and whether any are missing.
- Keep gutters clear. Blocked guttering can add pressure to the structure and cause water to seep through.
- Cut back trees if you can. Even though storm damage is covered by home insurance, the damage caused by a falling tree can be vast. See if you can remove or cut back trees that may interfere with your property.
- Check skylights. An inspection of the seals and glass will show you cracks or other signs of damage.
- Inspect flat roofs for tears, blisters or cracks in the asphalt coating.
At London Property Services, we have a skilled team of roofers in London ready to conduct thorough roof leak inspections and conduct roof leak repairs. With emergency coverage and rapid dispatch, our team can be deployed quickly to resolve your leaking roof issues. Contact us today to find out more or complete an online form to get a free estimate.
