Does home insurance cover a leaking roof?
A leaking roof is covered by UK home insurance when the damage is sudden and accidental — like storm damage. It's usually not covered when it's down to wear, age or missed maintenance. Evidence of a sudden cause is the key.
When a roof leak is covered
Home insurance responds to a roof leak when the cause is sudden and accidental— most commonly storm damage that lifts tiles or breaks flashing and lets water in. The resulting damage to ceilings, walls, insulation and contents is then part of the claim.
When it usually isn't
Insurers routinely refuse roof-leak claims that come from gradual wear, age, or missed maintenance— worn tiles, perished felt, blocked gutters left for years. If the leak built up slowly, expect a "wear and tear" challenge.
Maintenance matters
Keeping evidence that your roof was in reasonable condition — and that the leak followed a specific storm or event — is what separates a paid claim from a refused one.
Storm-damage roof leaks
For a storm claim, insurers may check there was a genuine storm (wind speeds, dates) and that the roof was sound beforehand. Photos before and after, and a roofer's report on the cause, make the claim much stronger.
What you can claim for
- Internal damage — ceilings, walls, plaster, decoration and insulation.
- Contents ruined by the water.
- Sometimes the roof repair itself, where the damage was sudden and accidental.
- Drying out and, if needed, alternative accommodation.
If you're refused
A wear-and-tear refusal is not the end. If the real cause was sudden or storm-related, you can challenge it with evidence, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman, or have a loss assessor take it on. See our guide to a denied water damage claim.
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