Does homeowners insurance cover ceiling leaks?
Find the source first
- Leaks only during rain: almost always the roof, flashing, a skylight or a vent. Check for missing or creased shingles after wind.
- Leaks on hot, humid days with no rain: in Georgia this is often the air handler in the attic. A clogged condensate line overflows the drain pan and soaks the ceiling below.
- Leaks under a bathroom: a supply line, toilet seal, shower pan or tub drain.
- Stains near exhaust fans in winter: warm, moist air condensing in an uninsulated duct.
How coverage usually breaks down
A sudden plumbing failure is commonly covered for the damage it causes, including opening the ceiling to reach it. A storm-damaged roof is covered for both the roof repair and the interior. A worn-out roof, a failed pipe boot, condensation and slow seepage are treated as maintenance. Many policies exclude water that leaked repeatedly over weeks or months, so a stain that has been growing since last spring is a harder claim than a fresh one.
What to do today
Put a bucket under the drip, turn off power to any wet light fixture, and photograph the stain, the attic above it if you can safely look, and the outside of the roof. Note the date and weather. Then report the claim and call a roofer for any rain-related leak. See interior water damage from roof leaks and wear and tear versus storm damage.