Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.

Leaking roof insurance

You can make a leaking roof insurance claim but only if it was caused by events such as fires, storms or lightning – not neglect. Compare 20+ policies.

1 - 7 of 29
Name Product Is there cover for a leaking roof? Fire, Storm & Theft Damage Accidental Damage to Home or Belongings Flood Temporary Accommodation
Youi Building and Contents Insurance
Optional
Yes
12% of sum insured - up to 12 months
Our verdict: Finder’s 2022 Insurer of the Year for Customer Satisfaction and our Top Pick for Fire Damage cover. It’s good if you want a tailored quote over the phone.
Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance
BonusFinder Award Finalist
Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance
Optional
Optional
10% of sum insured - up to 12 months
Our verdict: The most popular insurer on Finder, Budget Direct prioritises low-cost cover and gives you up to 30% off your first year for new combined policies purchased online.
QBE Home & Contents Insurance
Optional
Yes
20% of buildings sum insured - 24 months
Our verdict: Finder's Top Pick for Floods plus cover for other common claims such as fire and theft). Its discount is better than most – 20% off your first year with a combined policy.
Honey Home & Contents Insurance
Optional
Yes
10% of home sum insured
Our verdict: Honey gives you $250 smart sensors to reduce accidents and estimates your rebuild costs for you. Honey was a finalist for the comprehensive category in this year’s Finder Awards.
Australia Post Home & Contents Insurance
Optional
Yes
Up to 24 months
Our verdict: Covers common claims such as fire, storms, floods and rain. It’s also very helpful if you need to rebuild following a disaster. It offers a special safeguard of up to 30%.
Kogan Home & Contents Insurance
Optional
Yes
20% of buildings sum insured - 24 months
Our verdict: Good comprehensive cover (issued by QBE). Also, get 16% off on your first year's premium when you purchase a new combined Home & Contents insurance policy online + $10 monthly credit. T&Cs apply.
Qantas Home and Contents Insurance
BonusFinder Award Finalist
Qantas Home and Contents Insurance
Optional
Optional
10% of sum insured - up to 12 months
Our verdict: Earn up to 30K Qantas Points for joining by 30 September. Plus save 30% on your 1st year’s premium for purchasing a combined home and contents policy online. T&Cs apply.
loading

How do I make a leaking roof insurance claim?

One symbol

Find out if you can make a claim

You can make a leaking roof insurance claim if it's due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a storm or natural disaster. If your roof has been leaking for years and is only now becoming a problem, you won't be covered. Your insurer will likely send someone out to assess whether the leak was due to negligence or was accidental.

Two symbol

Prepare your claim

Let your insurer know that you need to make a claim. Take pictures and videos of the leak if possible. Stop further damage from occurring but try not to fix it yourself or you risk jeopardising your claim.

Three symbol

Submit your claim

Submit your claim by email or mail and wait to hear back. Insurers can take up to 10 days to respond to your claim. In these circumstances, they should be able to help stop the leak quicker.

Will I be covered for a leaking roof?

It depends on whether or not the leak was due to an accident or your own negligence. They will send an assessor to inspect your roof.

  • If the assessor believes the cause of the leak was accidental, such as damage from hail or storm-related debris, the insurer will usually approve your claim.
  • However, if the assessor sees no evidence of accidental damage or finds evidence that the roof has been leaking for some time, they will likely classify the leak as being caused by inadequate roof maintenance. The insurer will deny your claim.

How to avoid your claim from being rejected

  • Keep up-to-date with roof maintenance. There are several roof maintenance tasks that you can do to ensure your claim isn't rejected for poor roof maintenance.This can include clearing blocked gutters, flashings and debris from the roof.
  • Have a roofing contractor check for repairs. They can ensure your roof is up to scratch and you won't have a claim rejected for wear and tear, continuous seepage or other installation and design problems.

How to spot a potential leak

There are 3 signs that your roof may be leaking:

  • Missing shingles or tiles. You should regularly inspect your roof for missing or broken shingles and tiles, which can allow water to enter.
  • Stains on the ceiling. If there is a damp spot on your ceiling, this can indicate that water is already leaking into your home.
  • Choked gutters and downpipes. You should clear these regularly and install gutter guards to prevent debris build-up.

So what's the answer?

In the light of all this doom and gloom, you may well be asking yourself why bother to have home insurance. It's because it will cover you if disaster strikes your home, which is many people's largest asset in life, after all.

As for gradual water damage to your roof, the trick is to make sure it doesn't happen. Regular roof maintenance and hiring a roofing expert to rectify any design or installation problems can help prevent any issues.

Why you can trust Finder's home insurance experts

freeYou pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees.
expert adviceYou save time. We spend 100s of hours researching home insurance so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
independentYou can trust us. We say it like it is. We aren't owned by an insurer and our opinions are our own.
Gary Ross Hunter's headshot
Editor, Insurance & Innovations

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 725 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
  • Managing the cost of living

More guides on Finder

  • Home insurance for first-time buyers

    An easy explanation of home insurance for first home buyers.

  • Pool insurance

    You can get swimming pool insurance included with most home and contents insurance policies. Find out who provides cover and what insurance you need.

  • Single item insurance

    Want to protect important items like your phone and laptop but reluctant to fork out on contents insurance? Single item insurance might be for you.

  • Home insurance for water damage

    Find out how home insurance can cover water damage and how to avoid some of the pitfalls. 

  • Camera insurance

    Camera insurance is a must-have if you carry a lot of expensive gear. Find out how to get cover through either contents insurance or speciality camera insurance.

  • How much does home insurance cost in Australia?

    Discover what impacts the cost of home insurance and how to get the right protection with this handy guide.

  • Home Insurance NSW

    Home insurance protects you, your home, and your family from a range of unexpected events. Finding the right home and contents insurance in NSW is no easy task. This guide will teach you what to look for in a policy.

  • Motor burnout insurance

    Motor burnout covers those big appliances in your home in the event that they let you down. This article will show you what it is, why it's important and how much it can cost you.

  • Storm damage insurance

    Protect your home against storm, flood and rainwater damage with the help of this comprehensive guide.

  • Home Warranty Insurance

    Home warranty insurance, also known as builders warranty insurance and home indemnity insurance, is designed to offer protection for homeowners against faulty building work.

Ask a question

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    WayneMay 21, 2019

    I had a new tiles put on my garage roof after a couple of years it’s got a small leak which was repaired can I claim for the damage it made

      Default Gravatar
      NikkiMay 21, 2019

      Hi Wayne,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      Your home insurance will cover your house and contents for water damage caused by an insured event such as a storm. But if the damage is the result of a leak in your roof that the insurer deems to be a maintenance issue (and thus not covered), the water damage to your home and contents will usually not be covered.

      Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

      With care,
      Nikki

Go to site