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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.

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Name Product Is there cover for a leaking roof? Fire, Storm & Theft Damage Accidental Damage to Home or Belongings Flood Temporary Accommodation
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. This is a big reason it won this year’s Finder Award for value.
Youi Building and Contents Insurance
Optional
Yes
For a maximum of 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.
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.
Seniors Top Home & Contents Insurance
Yes
The lesser of: 12 months rent; or 10% of your building sum insured
Our verdict: Get up to 20% off when you buy a combined home and contents policy. Terms, conditions, underwriting criteria and minimum premiums apply, which may reduce discount. Make sure your rebuild costs are accurate though – Australian Seniors don’t do underinsurance cover.
Kogan Home & Contents Insurance
Optional
Yes
20% of buildings sum insured - 24 months
Our verdict: Good comprehensive cover (issued by QBE). Also, get 22% 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 50,000 Qantas Points with every Qantas Home Insurance policy you take out by 5 December. T&Cs and exclusions apply.
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How do I make a leaking roof insurance claim?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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