Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Leaks and Storm Damage?
When water comes through the roof, one of the first questions is whether the insurance will pay for it. The short answer: sudden, accidental damage from a storm is usually covered; gradual wear, neglect and failing to maintain the roof usually is not. Here is how it works in practice.
The general rule
Buildings insurance covers damage that is sudden and unforeseen — a storm rips slates off, a tree comes down on the roof, lightning strikes. It does not cover a roof that has simply worn out, or damage that got worse because a known problem was left. Take photos and report it quickly.
What is usually covered
Storm damage is the main one: tiles or slates lifted or blown off in high winds, ridge tiles displaced, flashing torn back, a chimney pot brought down. Impact damage — a falling tree or large branch, or debris thrown by the wind — is covered too, as is fire and lightning. If rainwater then gets in through that fresh damage and stains ceilings or ruins carpets, the resulting internal damage is generally covered as well, subject to your excess.
What is usually not covered
Wear and tear is excluded on every buildings policy. If the roof is 60 years old and the felt has perished, that is a maintenance cost, not a claim. Insurers also decline claims where a problem was known about and not dealt with — a slow leak that has been staining the ceiling for two winters, for example. Frost damage to already-cracked tiles, and damage from moss or blocked gutters that were never cleared, tend to be treated the same way.
What counts as a storm
Most insurers use wind speeds of around 47–55 mph (Force 9–10) as the threshold for a storm claim, and they will check the weather records for your area on the date. Damage from ordinary bad weather that is below that threshold, on a roof that was already marginal, is where claims most often get pushed back to wear and tear.
How to give your claim the best chance
Report it as soon as you notice it — delay is the single most common reason claims are reduced. Take clear photos from the ground and, if it is safe, of the internal damage. Get a written report from a roofer describing the damage and, ideally, stating it is consistent with storm conditions rather than age. Keep the roof watertight in the meantime with a temporary repair; insurers expect you to prevent further damage, and the cost of that is usually recoverable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance pay for a whole new roof?
Only if the whole roof was damaged in one covered event, which is rare. More often a storm damages a section and the insurer pays to repair that section to match. A roof that has worn out is not a claim.
Does home insurance cover a slow roof leak?
Generally not. A gradual leak from an ageing or poorly maintained roof is treated as wear and tear. The resulting water damage may also be declined if the leak was known about and left.
My neighbour’s tree damaged my roof — who pays?
Usually your own buildings insurer deals with it under storm or impact cover, then may pursue your neighbour if the tree was dangerous and they had been warned. You claim on your policy first.
Do I need a roofer’s report to claim?
It is not always required but it strongly helps. A written report describing the damage and confirming it is storm-related rather than age-related is often what tips a borderline claim in your favour.
Storm Damage to Your Roof?
We make storm-damaged roofs safe fast, and provide the written report your insurer needs, across Merthyr Tydfil and the South Wales valleys. Call 07952 811592.