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Does home insurance cover a roof leak?
The short answer
A leak caused by a sudden event — storm, falling branch, impact — is normally covered. A leak from tiles that have worn, flashing that has perished or a flat roof past its life is treated as maintenance and declined.
How insurers judge it
Most policies define a storm by wind speed (often around 47–55 mph) or by unusually heavy rain, hail or snow. If the weather on the day didn't meet the definition, a storm claim fails even if the leak is real.
Loss adjusters look at whether damage is consistent with one event or with slow deterioration — staining, rot and repeated patch repairs point to gradual damage.
The damage inside
Even where the roof repair is excluded, resulting damage to ceilings, decoration and contents is often covered. Claim for the internal damage as well as the roof, and let the insurer decide each part.
Strengthening a claim
Photograph the roof, the inside damage and any debris on the day. Note the date and time and save a weather report for your postcode.
Get a written roofer's report saying the cause was storm damage rather than age. Keep receipts for any emergency work to stop the water.
Check these on your own policy
- Photos and dates from the day it happened
- Local weather record for the storm
- Roofer's report naming the cause
- Claim for internal damage as well as the roof itself
Common follow-up questions
Does it cover a flat roof?
Often only if the flat roof is under a stated age and in good repair. Some policies exclude flat roofs over a certain percentage of the total roof area.
Should I stop the leak before the insurer visits?
Yes — you're expected to prevent further damage. Keep receipts and photos of what you did.