Can I claim a roof leak on home insurance?
Short answer. Yes, if the leak was caused by a covered event such as wind, hail or a falling tree, your home insurance generally pays for the roof repair and the interior water damage, minus your deductible. If the leak comes from age, worn flashing or poor maintenance, the claim will likely be denied.
Step one: stop the water
- Put buckets under drips and move belongings out of the way.
- If a ceiling is bulging with water, a small hole at the lowest point lets it drain into a bucket instead of collapsing.
- Get a tarp on the roof if there is an opening. Your policy expects you to limit further damage, and reasonable costs are usually reimbursed. See your duty to mitigate.
Step two: find the source
Water travels along rafters and decking before it shows up on a ceiling, so the stain is rarely right under the hole. The cause decides the claim:
- Likely covered: shingles blown off in a storm, hail fractured shingles, a limb puncture, wind lifted flashing.
- Likely not: a cracked pipe boot from sun exposure, failed sealant at a chimney, rusted flashing, ice from clogged gutters.
Step three: decide whether to file
Add up the likely roof repair and interior repair. If the total is clearly above your deductible and the cause is a covered event, file and give the storm date. If it is below your deductible or clearly wear, a direct repair is usually the better move. Photograph everything either way.
For what interior items are covered, read interior water damage from a roof leak, and before filing a borderline claim, see does a roof claim raise premiums in Georgia.