Are Roof Leaks Covered By Home Owners Insurance?

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

Sometimes a leak in the roof is covered and sometimes it is not! Read below to learn about the ins and outs of roof leaks.

Does homeowners insurance cover roof leaks?

If you notice water damage on the ceiling or walls in your home, it’s possible that you’re dealing with a leaky roof. Fixing a roof leak isn’t always cheap, but the repair is probably covered by your homeowners insurance policy. In this article, we’ll explain what type of roof leaks are covered by insurance, what kinds of leaks are not covered, and what you should do if you suspect your roof is leaking.

When are roof leaks covered by home insurance?

Roof leaks are covered by home insurance if the leak is caused by a covered — or named — peril. A peril is a situation or weather-related event that can damage your home and personal belongings, such as a fire or hailstorm. Insurance companies agree to compensate you for any losses if your home is damaged by a covered peril. 

For example, say a major windstorm blew a big section of shingles off your roof, and a subsequent rainstorm brought water into your attic through the leaky roof. The roof damage would be covered in this situation because the leak was caused by a windstorm, which is covered peril under most insurance policies.

Any roof damage that is sudden and accidental is typically covered by homeowners insurance, but it depends on the type of policy you have.

When are roof leaks not covered by home insurance?

Roof leaks are not covered by home insurance when the cause of the leak is not a covered peril. This includes general wear and tear. It’s common for roofs to develop leaks as they age, but this type of damage is excluded from coverage. Most home insurance companies will also deny a leaky roof claim if it’s caused by mold, pests, birds, wet rot, improper code materials, contractor/construction errors or neglect.

Keep in mind that some home insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for roof leaks. If you have an HO-8 insurance policy, it’s possible that roof damage is not covered. HO-8 insurance is used to cover old and high-risk homes, and because of that, these policies often exclude coverage for things like winter weather damage or falling objects damage that could cause a roof leak.

SOURCE:  coverage.com/roofleaks