Leaking roof insurance

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What different scores mean

9+

Excellent

These products offer a balance between low pricing and more features.

7+

Great

Competitive products within their group.

5+

Standard

Usually these products would either have fewer benefits or higher pricing.

0+

Basic

Offering basic cover with limited features or higher pricing.

Home insurance includes cover for damage or leaks to your roof, but not all roof leaks are covered. In many instances, it comes down to whether the leak was the result of an act of God, such as a falling tree branch in a storm, or if it was the result of your failure to maintain the roof in good repair.

Compare policies that can help with a leaking roof

Are you worried about damages from a leaking roof? If you take out a policy before the damage happens, you should be able to get cover if the damage is accidental. Compare policies and other benefits that can help with the costs of a leaking roof.

How do I make a leaking roof insurance claim?

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.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is considered an 'insured event' for roof leaks?

  An insured event for a roof leak typically refers to sudden accidental damage caused by specific perils listed in your policy. Common examples include damage from storms, hail, fire, lightning, falling trees or branches, or impact by vehicles. Leaks resulting from gradual wear and tear, poor maintenance or design flaws are generally not considered insured events.

• Does home insurance cover leaks from flat roofs or skylights?

  Home insurance generally covers leaks from flat roofs or skylights if they are caused by an insured event such as a storm or accidental damage. However, if the leak is due to inadequate maintenance, poor installation, design defects or gradual deterioration, it is unlikely to be covered. Always check your policy's product disclosure statement for specific exclusions relating to roof types or components.

• What if my roof leaks due to poor installation or faulty materials?

  Leaks caused by poor installation or faulty materials are generally not covered by standard home insurance policies. Insurers typically view these as latent defects, construction errors or maintenance issues rather than sudden accidental damage. While the immediate leak may not be covered, any subsequent damage to your home or contents caused by water ingress from such a leak might be covered if it is a direct result of an insured event and not a long term issue.

• Is temporary roof repair or emergency work covered?

  Many home insurance policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after an insured event. This may include undertaking temporary repairs to stop a leak. Reasonable costs for these temporary repairs are often covered as part of an approved claim. However, you should always contact your insurer first and avoid undertaking any permanent repairs without their approval, as this could jeopardise your claim.

• What happens if I need to move out while the roof is being repaired?

  If your home becomes uninhabitable due to damage from an insured roof leak and repairs are necessary, many home insurance policies include a provision for alternative accommodation or temporary housing. This benefit typically covers the cost of renting a similar property or staying in a hotel for a specified period while your home is being repaired. The exact limits and conditions will be detailed in your policy.

• Does my policy's excess apply to a leaking roof claim?

  Yes, your policy's excess generally applies to a leaking roof claim, just like most other claims. The excess is the agreed amount you pay towards the cost of a claim before your insurer pays the remainder. The amount of your excess will be stated in your policy schedule and you will need to pay this amount directly or have it deducted from your claim payout.

• Can I claim for a leak that started before I bought the house?

  Home insurance policies generally do not cover pre-existing damage or conditions. If a roof leak started before you purchased the property, it is usually considered a pre existing issue and would not be covered by your current policy. It is important to conduct thorough building inspections before buying a property to identify and address any such problems.

• What is the difference between sudden and gradual water damage from a roof leak?

  The distinction between sudden and gradual water damage is crucial for insurance claims. Sudden water damage occurs abruptly and unexpectedly due to an identifiable event such as a storm, hail or burst pipe. This type of damage is typically covered by home insurance if caused by an insured peril. Gradual water damage on the other hand develops slowly over time due to ongoing issues like continuous seepage, wear and tear, or poor maintenance. Gradual damage is usually not covered by home insurance as it is considered preventable through regular upkeep.

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.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise

Gary Ross has written 559 Finder guides across topics including:

• Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
• Managing the cost of living