Does home insurance cover roof leaks?

If your roof starts to leak and needs repairing, who covers the cost? Is it covered by your home insurance or will you need to foot the bill?

A roof can be damaged by storms, fallen trees, vermin or poor maintenance. And whether your home insurance covers roof leaks and repairs really depends on the cause of the damage. Find out more about when home insurance does and does not cover roof leaks and get tips to help you spot and prevent a leaky roof.

Does home insurance cover roof leaks and repairs?

This depends on your home insurance policy and what caused the leak.

Anna Thunstrom, Home Product Manager advises:

"Home insurance usually covers roof leaks or damage if they are caused by an insured event, such as a storm or falling tree. However, it won’t cover damage due to wear and tear, poor maintenance, or anything that happens gradually over time.

"For instance, if a storm causes tiles to fall off your roof, the repairs would typically be covered, but if the roof is leaking because it’s old and hasn’t been maintained, this likely wouldn’t be covered.

"Buildings insurance provides comprehensive cover for sudden and unexpected events, but regular maintenance is key to ensuring your roof remains in good condition."

When might home insurance not cover roof leaks?

Your home insurance won’t cover roof leaks if the damage is the result of wear and tear, old age or something that occurs gradually over a period of time. It’s important to keep your home in a good state of repair, ensuring that roofs are well maintained, with no tiles missing.

Always keep proof of any repairs or maintenance work you’ve had done to show your insurer that you’ve been keeping your roof in good condition.

Will home insurance cover damage to contents caused by a roof leak?

Yes, if your roof leak is the result of sudden, unexpected event, then your home insurance policy will cover damage to your possessions. This falls under the contents insurance side of your policy.

Will home insurance cover roof leaks in a flat?

If you live in a top-floor flat and your roof starts leaking, your home insurance policy may cover the costs of damage and repairs – depending on what’s caused the leak and whether you’re a tenant, leaseholder or freeholder.

If you’re a tenant

It’s your landlord’s responsibility to take out buildings insurance, maintain the property and carry out repairs. They will be responsible for making a claim for roof damage.

If you have renters’ insurance, that should cover the costs of damage to any of your possessions in the flat.

If you’re a leaseholder

Check your lease to see who is responsible for buildings insurance, maintenance and repairs. These responsibilities typically fall on the freeholder, so they’ll have to make the claim.

If you’re a freeholder

If you own the freehold – or a share of it – then it’s your (shared) responsibility to take out buildings insurance for the whole building. This can help cover the cost of roof repairs.

Will home insurance cover the cost of a new roof?

This depends on the extent of the damage. If the damage is beyond repair, or if the cost of a new roof would be less than repairing the damaged area, then your home insurance provider may cover the cost of a new roof.

Home insurance and older roof repairs

Regular roof inspection and maintenance on older properties is even more important because home insurance will not cover claims arising from wear or tear or something that occurs gradually over time.

So, get slipped, cracked or missing tiles replaced before roof timbers or ceilings are damaged. And check chimneys and flashings remain in good condition too.

If you still can’t identify exactly where the leak is coming from, you should get help from a professional.

How to prevent a leaky roof

Prevention is always better than cure, and insurance claims can be invalidated if damage is the result of wear and tear, so make sure you keep your roof – and entire property – in a good state of repair to prevent leaks from occurring:

• Check roof tiles regularly – and replace damaged tiles quickly.
• Clear guttering – remove debris that can cause blockages.
• Keep trees and weeds at bay – cut overhanging branches and clear any weeds or moss that grow on your roof.
• Maintain flat roofs – carry out regular inspections and maintenance.
• Inspect skylights – and keep seals watertight.
• Have regular professional inspections – and keep a record to show proof of roof maintenance.