Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Damage?

Buildings insurance is meant to protect your home against unforeseen structural damage.

However, understanding what kind of insurance you have, what it covers, and what it excludes, can mean the difference between a successful claim and an expensive repair bill.

Home insurance vs. buildings insurance: What’s the difference?

“Home insurance” is often used as a catch-all term. However, it usually refers to two separate types of cover that can be bought together or separately:

• Buildings insurance covers the physical structure of your home: Walls, roof, windows, and fixed fittings. This is the policy that matters for roof damage.
• Contents insurance covers your belongings inside the home: Furniture, electronics, clothing. It has nothing to do with roof repairs.

Buildings insurance is used by homeowners and landlords. Whilst contents insurance is typically for homeowners and tenants.

For the rest of this guide, references to cover for roof damage mean buildings insurance specifically. That’s the part of a policy that applies here.

When does buildings insurance cover roof damage?

Buildings insurance covers roof damage caused by sudden, unforeseen events you could not prevent. It does not cover damage resulting from:

• Gradual wear and tear
• Neglected maintenance
• Pre-existing defects.

Your claim’s success depends on the cause of the damage. 

Events typically covered

• Storm damage caused by high winds, gale-force gusts, or hail
• Impact damage from fallen trees, branches, or debris
• Fire, lightning strikes, or sudden explosions
• Subsidence (when the ground beneath your home sinks) caused by a sudden external event
• Accidental damage, provided your policy includes this optional cover

Events typically not covered

• Gradual weathering and deterioration of roof materials over time
• Leaks caused by blocked gutters or poor household maintenance
• Pre-existing damage or known defects that you failed to fix
• Flat roofs that have exceeded their expected working lifespan
• Damage caused by pests, vermin, or birds

Wear and tear vs accidental damage: Why it matters

The distinction between accidental damage and wear and tear is the single most frequent reason insurers decline roof leak claims.

Accidental damage is sudden and unexpected. If you can point to a specific moment when the damage happened (e.g., storms, pest infestations, etc.), insurers usually class it as accidental.

Wear and tear is the natural decay of materials over time. Roof tiles crack, metal strips that seal joints around chimneys and walls (flashing) corrode, and waterproofing felt degrades. These normal processes are excluded from standard policies.

Loss adjusters

Water leaking through your roof into your home suddenly during heavy rain can be confusing. However, the underlying cause might be obvious in retrospect.

When you submit a claim, the insurer sends a loss adjuster (an independent expert who investigates property damage). 

If they find that rainwater got in through a gap caused by wear and tear, the insurer will reject the claim on the grounds of poor maintenance.

Regular maintenance is essential to keeping insurance valid. Proving that your roof was in good condition before damage makes your claim stronger. Keep receipts from professional roofers and document regular visual checks.

Are roof tiles covered by buildings insurance?

Broken or missing roof tiles are one of the most common roof problems. Whether your buildings insurance covers them depends on how the damage occurred.

If high winds or a named storm dislodge or smash your roof tiles, your buildings insurance typically covers the replacement costs as storm damage. 

A single missing slate or tile blown off during severe weather represents a straightforward claim.

However, tiles that crack, crumble, or slip due to frost, age, or decaying fixings fall under wear and tear. The insurer will judge this as general deterioration rather than storm impact.

So, if a storm breaks your roof tiles, take clear photographs of the damage from ground level (as soon as it is safe). Do this before making temporary fixes or calling out a tradesperson.

Does buildings insurance cover flat roof leaks?

Flat roofs are covered by most standard buildings insurance policies. However, insurers usually treat them with extra caution.

Flat roofs use waterproofing membranes (protective felt, rubber, or asphalt layers) to repel standing water. Because flat surfaces retain water longer than pitched roofs, they carry a higher risk of leaks.

Insurers often apply strict conditions to flat roofs:

• Age limits: Many policies restrict or exclude cover for flat roofs over 10 to 15 years old.
• Material types: Traditional mineral felt roofs have a relatively short lifespan (around 10 to 15 years), whereas modern EPDM rubber or asphalt roofs can last up to 30 to 50 years. Insurers may charge higher excess fees for felt.
• Inspection clauses: Some policies require flat roofs to undergo inspections every few years as a condition of cover.

If storm winds tear the membrane or a falling branch punctures your flat roof, your claim should succeed. 

If water pools and seeps through an old, cracked felt membrane, the insurer will class the leak as gradual wear and tear.

Check your policy terms carefully if your home has a flat roof section (or information on other types of roof).

Does buildings insurance cover ceiling damage from a roof leak?

When a roof leaks, rainwater often damages:

• Interior ceilings
• Plasterboard
• Insulation
• Paintwork.

If your insurer accepts the underlying roof claim, they will usually cover the consequential interior damage as well.

This includes drying out the property (often including use of dehumidifiers), replacing ruined plasterboard, and even redecorating.

And, of course, if the insurer rejects the primary roof claim due to wear and tear, they will almost certainly refuse the secondary ceiling damage, too. 

How to make a buildings insurance claim for roof damage

1. Document the damage immediately

Take clear photographs and videos of the damaged roof area, missing tiles, and any interior water leaks before moving anything.

2. Contain water and limit further loss

Place buckets under active ceiling drips to catch water. If water enters the loft, check that containers are easy to empty so they do not become too heavy.

3. Make temporary emergency repairs

Securing a tarpaulin over a hole is encouraged by insurers to prevent worse interior flooding.

Keep all receipts for temporary materials and emergency call-out fees.

4. Do not carry out permanent repairs before the assessment

Avoid hiring a roofer for permanent repairs before the loss adjuster inspects the roof.

Completing permanent work prematurely can complicate or invalidate your claim.

5. Contact your insurer promptly

Report the incident to your insurer’s emergency helpline as soon as possible.

Unnecessary delays can give insurers grounds to query when the damage occurred.

6. Prepare for the loss adjuster’s visit

Provide the assessor with your photos, details of the event date, and any receipts for previous roof maintenance to prove the roof was well maintained.

7. What to do if your claim is declined

Ask the insurer to provide their refusal reasons in writing.

If you believe the loss adjuster misjudged the cause, gather evidence from a qualified roofer and appeal the decision or contact the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Does home cover include roof damage?

It is worth distinguishing standard buildings insurance from home cover packages.

Buildings insurance protects against major, catastrophic events such as fires, fallen trees, and storm damage. It does not assist with everyday maintenance, minor tile fixes, or aged roofs.

Home cover packages (such as emergency home cover) focus on immediate assistance during household crises. 

Standard home cover mainly addresses plumbing, heating, and electrical failures.

But some policies include emergency roof repairs to make a property secure and watertight after sudden damage.

Get home emergency cover with Hometree

Our home emergency cover includes unlimited repairs, an annual boiler service, zero parts & labour charges, and 24/7 claims support to keep your home warm. Subject to exclusions and T&Cs apply.

With no hidden fees and coverage across England, Scotland, and Wales, we’ve got you covered.

You can get covered today or contact us for a free quote.