Home insurance can be tricky if you don’t know exactly what you are covered for. So when something happens, you may automatically assume your coverage will be enough. But is it?
Roof leaks are a great example. While it is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain and repair their roof, some leaks can be claimed while others cannot. It all depends on the cause of the leak as well as your carrier’s perspective on the situation.
What matters most when thinking of filing a claim is how the water entered your home; the cause of the damage is what ultimately determines if it’s going to be covered or not.
When does home insurance cover roof leaks?
If it was caused by a covered or named peril there’s a good chance it will be covered. A peril is a situation or weather-related event, that is out of your control, such as a fire or hailstorm, which can cause damage to your property and personal belongings.
An example of this is if your roof shingles are blown off during a wind storm and then water was brought in through your leaky roof to the attic following a rainstorm. The roof damage would be covered in this situation because it was caused by a windstorm, which is a covered peril under most insurance policies.
These are events that insurance companies are likely to compensate you for since the damage was caused by a peril and out of your control. Some commonly insured perils include things like:
- Fire
- Lightning strikes
- Smoke (if caused by malfunctioning cooking devices or heaters, but not fireplaces)
- Theft
- Water damage (check to see which types of water damage your policy covers)
- Wind
- Aircraft or vehicle impact
- Explosion
- Falling objects (except those caused by earthquake or snow slides)
Uninsured perils include damage from flooding (or water damage cause by floodwater), sewer backup, freezing of indoor plumbing, landslides, earthquake and other earth movements. For these situations, you need to add specific additional coverage to your current insurance policy.
When doesn’t home insurance cover roof leaks?
If it was caused by neglect or improper maintenance on the homeowner’s part, then it will not be covered. This includes wear and tear on your roof – as they age, it is common for leaks to develop – and again, this is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain. Learn more about how roof age can affect your insurance here.
Other situations that are not covered are damage from mold, pests, birds, wet rot, improper code materials, and contractor or construction errors/neglect.
Your home insurance coverage
Another factor you can look at is the insurance and coverage you have. Comprehensive coverage covers the home and its contents from a number of risks, which usually include a number of water-related claims. It is the most expensive policy, but provides the most coverage.
It covers your home and its contents against all perils (except the ones specifically excluded from your insurance policy). Other policies will cover your belongings on a “named perils” basis, whereas comprehensive coverage covers your belongings on an “all perils” basis.
What to do if you have a roof leak?
If you suspect you have a roof leak, it’s important to act quickly. Taking these steps will help:
First, try and identify the source of the leak – but be safe! You can check your attic or crawl space under the roof, but if you need to go up and check the roof, ask a roofer or general contractor to help.
Next, document the water damage by taking pictures of it throughout your home. This will also help by sharing these images with your insurance company when filing a claim.
If possible, try to temporarily stop the leak from getting worse. Use buckets for a steady drip of water, or a wet vac or mop to soak up any flooded water in your house. Move items away from the area and try to dry the area as much as possible to prevent mold.
Lastly, contact your insurance company to let them know about the roof leak. They will send an agent over to help you through the process of filing a claim.
How much does it cost to fix a roof leak?
It’s hard to determine an exact price to fix a roof leak, it all depends on the severity of the leak and the type of roof you have. Prices can range anywhere from $150-$3,000 + and includes things like roofing materials, labour and other damage that may have affected the chimney and gutters as well.
It’s important to get a quote because a small leak may not be significant enough to file a claim, whereas a costly one will be. And, knowing that you cannot afford to pay out of pocket will make opening a claim a more viable option.
What you can do to protect your roof
Taking steps to prevent roof leaks is your best defence. There are a few things you can do, such as keeping the gutters clean and removing any debris, especially after a storm. You can also trim any trees that overhang your roof. You can also document your roof condition by taking pictures of it, so that when a storm does hit, you can verify the water leak was caused by damage due to the storm, and not negligence.
In the end, it’s important and highly recommended, to regularly review and talk to your advisor about your current home insurance policy, epsecially when it is up for renewal or when purchasing a new one. Knowing what your policy covers and doesn’t cover is key, and will help when something does arise and you need to file a claim.
