Flat Roof Insurance

Having a flat roof can make your home more prone to weather damage. Keep your home protected with flat roof insurance

If your home – or part of it – has a flat roof, then you may have to pay slightly more for your home insurance. That’s because flat roofs can be more prone to water ingress and weather damage. Make sure you let your home insurer know if you have a flat roof so that your policy includes flat roof insurance.

What is flat roof insurance?

Flat roof insurance is a buildings insurance policy designed to cover properties with flat roofs. It can be slightly more expensive than a standard home insurance policy as it has to factor in the additional risk associated with having a flat roof.

Is your roof flat?

Flat roofs are usually defined for insurance purposes as having a slope of 10 degrees or less. It will often be fairly obvious if any of your property’s roof is flat, but if you’re not sure then you might be able to find out by checking any surveys you had done when you bought the house.

Does having a flat roof affect your home insurance?

Yes, most insurance companies consider a flat roof to be higher risk, so the cost of insurance will generally be slightly higher.

That said, if less than 25% of your roof is flat, it's unlikely to make a difference to the cost of your insurance. When you get a Saga Home Insurance quote, we’ll ask you to estimate what percentage of your roof is flat.

Why does a flat roof affect your house insurance?

The reason flat roofs are considered higher risk is because they’re more prone to water ingress. With pitched roofs, gravity does its thing and water runs off. But with flat roofs, puddles – as well as debris – can sit there, adding extra weight. This can cause it to deteriorate over time, increasing the chance of you making an insurance claim.

Flat roofs can make it easier for opportunistic thieves to climb and gain access which, along with the risk of water damage, could push your contents insurance premiums up too.

Does flat roof home insurance cover roof leaks?

Yes, flat roof insurance will usually cover roof leaks if the leak is caused by a sudden and unexpected event, like a storm or a fallen tree. You won’t be covered, however, if the damage was caused by wear and tear or lack of maintenance. It’s important to keep your flat roof in good condition and keep proof of any repairs or maintenance work you have done.

Does flat roof home insurance cover roof repairs?

Yes, flat roof insurance will generally cover the cost of roof repairs if you can prove your flat roof was in good condition before it was damaged. Your contents insurance will cover any resultant damage to your belongings. General maintenance and related repairs are not covered – it’s your responsibility to keep your roof in good condition.