Roof Leakage Covered by Home Insurance

Roof leaks and other damage to your roof are normally covered by your home's insurance policy, as long as the cause of the damage is not expressly excluded in your policy. If, on the other hand, a leak develops owing to a lack of maintenance, you may be required to pay for the repairs yourself.

Before filing a claim for roof damage, like with any other claim, evaluate your home insurance policy's deductibles to determine whether filing a claim makes the most financial sense.

Is Roof Leakage Covered By Homeowners Insurance?

Your homes insurance will not cover leaks caused by wear and tear or inadequate maintenance, but it should cover most other situations.

Most homeowners insurance plans cover roof leaks. The initial source of the leak, however, determines whether your home's insurance carrier will compensate you for the repair of a roof leak – and any future damage to your items. The declaration page of your house insurance policy outlines which risks are covered or excluded under your current policy.

The majority of homes insurance plans include a "open peril" list. These dangers often include, but are not limited to:

Get The Best Home Insurance in your Location

Standard homes insurance coverage cover the following perils:

Open risks, in general, encompass any damage caused by a sudden and unintentional incidence, unless the source of such harm is expressly excluded in your home's insurance policy. Your insurance provider, on the other hand, will refuse any claims for progressive wear and tear or a lack of maintenance.

Floods, for example, are often excluded from house insurance coverage. Other dangers may be excluded or subject to lower restrictions depending on the risks in your location. If you want to add coverage for one of these risks to your policy, you may typically do so through an optional endorsement.

Home insurance coverage often excludes certain risks.

•Earthquakes, mudslides, and landslides

•Floods

• Animal or insect invasion causes damage.

•Negligence, as well as general wear and tear

•The foundation of your home is settling, cracking, or warping.

•Your pets have caused damage.

•War or government intervention

•Smog, rust, and corrosion

While mold and fungus are normally excluded from ordinary homes insurance plans, they are covered if they are caused by a covered occurrence. If mold forms in a naturally wet environment, you will not be protected unless you have an optional mold insurance endorsement added to your policy.

If, on the other hand, the mold is the consequence of a covered roof leak, your insurance carrier should pay mold cleanup as well, unless you failed to make a claim for that leak in a timely way.

How Your House Insurance Provider May Assist You

Several home insurance companies provide policyholders with access to a network of certified and qualified contractors, and partnering with them can help you save money. Estimates are often free of charge, and insurance typically guarantees a warranty for work done by an approved contractor.

We've compiled a list of house insurance providers that provide customers with exclusive access to contractors.

How To Locate A Roof Leak

Early detection of a roof leak is crucial for reducing damage to your house and valuables. Unfortunately, it is not always an easy task. Because roofs are often sloping, it is easy for water to enter your home from one region of the roof, only to flow down to another place where the leak becomes visible.

The first — and sometimes most difficult — step is to locate the source of the leak. Examine your roofs for potential entrance sites, such as a misaligned shingle, an elevated nail, fractures near vent pipes, a misplaced gutter, or a crack in the base of your chimney.

If you can't find the place of entry by inspecting your roof, search in your attic. On a rainy day, check the inside for mold or moisture, or search for damp wood. Alternatively, you might use a garden hose to identify the leak on your roof.

While it may appear contradictory, doing so on a dry day will allow you to repair the leak while you have control over the quantity of water that may enter your property. If you still can't locate any cracks or punctures, the source might be a plumbing leak.

When a roof leak is discovered early, it typically does not need much work to repair. A new shingle or rubber sealant will usually remedy the problem. However, if you are uncomfortable performing roof maintenance, you should hire a professional to do it.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Roof Leak?

Although repairs may be costly depending on the extent of your loss, it is best to have a professional inspect your home's water damage rather than attempting to repair it yourself.

The overall cost of repairing your leak and any damage it causes is determined by the amount of the leak, its source, and the length of time it occurs before being repaired. If all you need to do is put a rubber sealant on a leaky vent, the repair might be less than $100.

If, on the other hand, you need to reshingle a piece of your roof, the supplies and labor may cost between $400 and $700. Significant roof repairs, such as new shingles, plywood, cement, and metal flashing, might cost between $700 and $3,000. Other issues, such as the dangers of working around and fixing a skylight or chimney, may also have an impact on your final expenditures.

With the exception of minor leaks, it's better to have a professional inspect the damage and propose repairs. Working on your roof may be risky, and while you may think you're saving money by repairing a leak yourself, you could wind up spending significantly more if your repairs are poor and cause wood rot or mold damage.

Furthermore, if your insurance company discovers that additional damage is the result of work you attempted to do yourself rather than hiring a professional, they may hold you liable for the damage and refuse your claim.

Is It Necessary To Make A Claim For A Roof Leak?

The seriousness of the leak, the size of your deductible, and whether you've made any previous claims in the last several years all influence whether you should file a homeowners insurance claim for a roof leak.

Furthermore, making a claim may result in a price hike when renewing your policy, as insurers may see your property as more risky to cover. So, unless your repair expenses are much greater than insurance deductible, paying for it yourself may be less expensive in the long run.