As with all types of insurance, its purpose is to protect the policyholder from unexpected events that cause damage. Specific roofing insurance that covers roof leak repair and routine damage repairs, does not appear to be commonly available in the UK for householders. If you put ‘roofing insurance’, into an internet search engine, you will likely get search results for public liability insurance geared towards roofing contractors and builders.
Roof insurance – What is it?
Roof insurance is integral to the buildings insurance element of home insurance. If you have a leaking roof or your roof is damaged, as a result of the following, it may be covered by your buildings insurance policy.
- Damage from natural disasters
- Damage from slippage, landslides, heave or subsidence
- Damage for adverse weather conditions such as storms or gale-force winds
- Damage caused by something falling on your roof, for example, a fallen tree or part of a tree uprooted during a severe storm
- Damage caused by a third party
This list is not exhaustive. Other unexpected events may be covered by general buildings insurance not listed here. It is unlikely, even in these circumstances that the whole of your roof will be covered. The insurance will pay for damage caused by an unexpected event and the definitions can be narrow.
Other reasons why you may need roof insurance
The age and general condition of your roof are considerations taken into account by building insurers when deciding whether to allow a claim, what elements to pay for, and how much to pay. If your roof is less than ten years old, it is considered relatively new, and it’s likely that you will receive a larger amount for its repair and restoration.
If your roof is older than ten years old, it can be proved it has been poorly maintained, or it’s obvious the extensiveness of the damage is due to the poor condition, rather than the unexpected event, only part of the cost may be met or the claim may be disallowed.
Damage caused to the roof by an unexpected event is a key phrase in your buildings insurance policy affecting all aspects of building damage, not just roof damage.
Does house insurance cover roof leaks?
If the leaking roof is caused solely by damage rendered by an unexpected event, then the necessary roof leak repair should be covered. If the roof leaks in heavy rain or the damage caused by water leaking from roof are due to previously broken roof tiles, an existing hole in the waterproof roofing membrane, damaged flashing or blocked guttering, your building insurance probably will not cover your roof leak repair cost. Unless you can prove this damage resulted from the unexpected event. These types of roof damage are often a result of poor maintenance, or expected wear and tear on the roof, and not considered a coverable insurance risk.
Remember
The roofing insurance element of a buildings insurance policy is designed to protect you against roof damage requiring a roof leak repair and the resultant roof leak repair cost if something untoward happens to your roof. If the roof leaks in heavy rain because of an existing fault, this is considered avoidable, through routine roof maintenance, and not covered by your insurance policy.
