Does homeowners insurance cover roof leaks from a storm?
Short answer. Usually, if the storm physically damaged the roof and the water came in through that damage. Wind that lifts or tears off shingles, hail that fractures them and limbs that puncture the deck all create covered leaks. Water that came in during a storm without any physical damage, such as wind driven rain under intact shingles, is often excluded.
How storms open a roof
- Unsealed and creased shingles. Gusts lift tabs, break the adhesive strip and crease the shingle, so rain can be driven underneath.
- Missing shingles. Exposed underlayment can hold for a while, then fail.
- Hail fractures. Cracked mats and punctured vents or skylights.
- Debris and limbs. Punctures, cracked decking and torn flashing.
- Lifted flashing at walls, chimneys and roof to wall transitions.
Where to look first
Storm leaks often show up away from the obvious damage, because water travels along decking and rafters before it drips. Check the attic with a flashlight during or right after rain, look for wet decking and insulation, and match that to the roof area above. Photograph both.
The wind driven rain caveat
Many policies cover interior rain damage only if wind or hail first created an opening in the roof or walls. So an adjuster will look for that opening. If the roof is intact and the leak came through an old flashing detail, the interior damage may be treated as a maintenance issue. See interior water damage coverage.
What to do
- Contain the water and tarp the roof. See emergency tarping.
- Have the roof and attic inspected together.
- Report with the storm date and photos.
For wind specific evidence, see wind damage roof claims.