Does home insurance cover roof leaks?

Key points:

• Animals, heavy rain, storms and poorly fitted roofs can all cause your roof to leak

• Home insurance policies may cover sudden and unexpected damage to your roof, but not damage caused by wear and tear or poor workmanship

• Make sure your roof is properly maintained, to help ensure you stay covered

• Not all roof types are covered by standard insurance policies

• Look out for water stains on your walls and ceilings to detect leaks early

What can cause roof leaks and damage? 

There are all sorts of things that can cause your roof to leak, from substandard workmanship to a storm or just simple wear and tear. Many of the causes of roof leaks can be avoided by ensuring that the roof and surrounding areas are well maintained. If a leak is discovered, the most important thing is to deal with it as soon as possible, as a leaking roof can quickly cause a large amount of damage to your home.

Heavy rain

If water isn’t flowing correctly off a roof, possibly due to an obstruction, then it can pool and lead to leaks. These may not be apparent straightaway, but the damage can build up over time and become very costly. As with storm cover, below, many insurers specify conditions that must be met for this to be covered under your insurance.

Storm damage

A strike of lightning, falling branches or trees and strong winds can cause significant damage to even the hardiest of roofs. Many insurers specify specific conditions that must be met for storms to be covered, whilst impact from trees and lightning are generally treated as different causes from storm.

Wear and tear

Broken or missing tiles, damaged flashing around chimneys, roof joints or abutments, as well as worn roofing felt or underlay and cracked seals are all signs of wear and tear. These are things that you need to keep an eye on to help make sure your roof is properly maintained. If you have a flat roof area it is particularly important that you regularly have it inspected and updated when necessary to avoid resulting damage. Damage caused by wear and tear is generally not covered by insurance.

Poor workmanship

If your roof wasn’t fitted properly in the first place, there could be all sorts of things that can go wrong with it very quickly. Always make sure that when you have work done on your home, you use a certified tradesperson. Damage caused by poor or faulty workmanship is generally not covered by insurance.

Animal infestation

Squirrels, birds, mice and more can get into your roof and cause untold amounts of damage. If you see or hear anything that makes you think you may have some unwelcome visitors, it’s important to act quickly before the problem spirals.

Does your home insurance cover leaks and damage? 

Home insurance policies do typically cover damage to your roof and subsequent leaks when they are caused by a sudden and external factor, such as those caused by a storm. However, if a roof hasn’t been properly maintained and it starts to leak, then this will likely not be covered. It's very important that your review the specific cover applying, which will be detailed in your policy wording.  

A John Lewis Money Home Insurance policy has the option to add a Home Emergency add-on to your policy. This means that in the event of covered damage to your roof, our partner ARAG Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited (ARAG LEI) will arrange for a qualified, trusted tradesperson to attend as soon as possible to make temporary repairs. 

How can you prevent roof leaks and damage? 

If you’re able to safely check your own roof, then it’s advisable to make sure that there are no broken or missing tiles, your guttering is clear of debris and all of the flashing is still intact. If you have a loft, you can also check that there is no damp or mould between the roof and the loft area, as this can indicate the beginnings of a problem. Alternatively, ask a certified tradesperson to attend your property and carry out a full inspection for you. 

Does the type of roof impact insurance? 

In short, yes. Certain types of roofs, like thatch, are typically excluded from standard home insurance policies. Also, if a large percentage of your home is made up of a flat roof, it may fall outside standard policies. 

How do I know if my roof is damaged or leaking? 

Look out for signs of damp, mould or water stains on the upper walls and ceilings of your home. Also check your loft for chinks of light coming through, damp on the roof beams and musty smells.

Are contents covered if my roof leaked or is damaged? 

If your contents are damaged by a roof leak of the type that is covered by your home insurance, then your contents may also be covered up to your policy limit. Any high-value items will need to be listed on the policy, and in the case of a John Lewis Money Home Insurance policy this is anything over the value of £3,000. 

How can I get a home insurance quote with John Lewis Money?

You can get a quote for home insurance with John Lewis Money to cover your home and your belongings.

Not only are our Gold, Silver and Specialist home insurance policies five-star rated by Defaqto, but our different levels of cover can be tailored to suit your property.

Plus, our Specialist Home Insurance, brought to you by Covea Insurance, is specifically designed for high-value contents and homes, or unique homes.

This article is for promotional or information purposes only. You must not rely on it as advice.