Does home insurance cover roof leaks?

Home insurance policies provide cover for loss and damage to your home from a variety of causes. However, each policy varies greatly and it’s important to check the individual coverage in your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Many insurers will cover damage from a leaking roof if it was unavoidable. Some of the instances where damage may be covered, depending on the individual policy, include:

• Falling trees or branches
• Other falling objects
• Damage caused by natural disasters like windstorms, hail and other extreme weather events
• Vandalism
• Heavy weight of snow or ice

Typically, once your claim is approved, any water damage to both your home and its contents, as a result of the leak, will also be covered. Your policy will likely specify a repair cost limit, and some policies may stipulate that the roof must be restored to the same standard as the original. However, as stated previously, this will all depend on your individual policy’s coverage restrictions.

It is critical to check your home insurance policy for details, as the type of roof damage covered will depend on the insurer and your level of coverage. There may also be instances where your home insurance will not cover the repair costs for your roof at all. These exclusions will be listed in your policy.

Consider browsing through a range of different providers to determine which policy gives coverage that is most suitable for you and your home.

Some of the most common exclusions for roof leak damages include:

• Negligence e.g. blocked gutters
• Inadequate roof maintenance
• Rusted roof sheeting or nails
• Lifted or loose roof sheeting or tiles
• Damage caused by mould, rotting wood or algae
• Wear and tear or roof deterioration as a result of ageing
• Damage caused by birds, rodents or insects
• Roof settling, contraction, expansion or distortion

If your roof has been damaged due to an event that is covered in your insurance policy, you should contact your insurer as soon as possible. If you wait too long to make a claim and initiate repairs, the water damage could get worse. In this case, your insurer may decide that the level of damage was caused as a result of negligence, which will most likely result in your claim being rejected.

On the other hand, if you’ve noticed that your roof has been leaking for years and it has recently escalated, you are also unlikely to get a claim paid. If your roof starts leaking for no apparent reason, it may be worth first trying to find the cause before filing a claim.

Be prepared with any necessary information, evidence, photos and details pertaining to the damage before filing a claim with your insurer. This may help to expedite the process and potentially give you a greater chance of lodging a successful claim.

When it comes to roof leaks, it’s often a case of sooner is better. To spot a potential leak, check for:

• Missing shingles or roof tiles: Inspect your roof for any missing or broken shingles or tiles as this may be how water is leaking into your home.
• Clogged gutters and downpipes: Check and clean your gutters regularly to ensure they aren’t blocked. You could also consider installing gutter guards to help prevent debris from interfering with the flow of rainwater.
• Stains on your ceiling: If you notice a damp or dark spot on your ceiling, it could be an indication that water is leaking from your roof and you’ll want to investigate this immediately.

As most home insurance providers will not cover leaky roofs that were caused due to negligence, you should try to maintain your roof to avoid bearing the cost of repairs yourself. Consider cleaning the gutters regularly, while also clearing away debris, leaves, moss and branches. It’s also sensible to regularly check for rusted areas, cracks and holes in your roof. 

You might also consider hiring a professional to inspect your roof semi-regularly to spot any initial signs of mould, rust, broken shingles, missing or damaged nails or cracked sealants. This may help you to repair your roof before any damage escalates.