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?
This depends on your home insurance policy and what caused the leak. If a leak is caused by sudden damage from a storm or a fallen tree, then you’re likely to be covered. But if the damage is a result of wear and tear or vermin, you probably won’t be.
Both Saga Selectand Saga Plushome insurance policies cover roof leaks that are directly caused by storms and falling objects such as trees.
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 insuranceside of your policy.
If the damage to your roof is found to be caused by wear and tear, your insurance won’t cover the repair of the roof. However, if you’ve selected accidental damage cover(included as standard in our Saga Plus cover), then any internal water damage – including to your possessions – may be covered.
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 insurancefor 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.
How to find a roof leak
To minimise damage to your home and possessions, it’s important to spot a roof leak as early as possible. Here are some ways to find the source of a roof leak:
Check your ceilings
If you see visible signs of a water leak on your ceilings, then the roof is likely to be damaged somewhere above that.
Identify any damp in your loft
Check for any dark patches or signs of moisture or mould on your roof timbers and loft insulation.
Check your flat roof
Look for any cracks in the tar, coating or seams of your flat roof.
Keep an eye out for missing tiles
From outside your home, check the roof to see if you can spot any missing tiles – especially after a storm or high winds.
Check for daylight
Can you see any light coming through the roof? That probably means there’s a missing or cracked tile.
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.
Looking to upgrade your home insurance for protection against the unexpected? Get a quote for Saga home insurance today.
