Does home insurance cover roof leaks?

On a rainy day, there's nothing worse than a leaking roof. If this is what you're currently dealing with, you may be wondering, "Does home insurance cover roof leaks?" Stick around for more info.

What is home insurance?

Home insurance is a type of coverage specifically designed to protect your interests and finances as a homeowner. While standard homeowners insurance may vary between different insurers, you'll likely find the following policies:

Personal property insurance

Personal property insurance covers the personal belongings in your home and on your property. Should your belongings be damaged or stolen by a covered peril listed in your insurance policy, you can file a claim with your insurance company to be compensated for your losses.

Note that when purchasing personal property coverage, you'll be asked to submit a home inventory. This inventory should outline the estimated value of your personal belongings. If you own high-value items, you may be asked by your insurance company to purchase high-value home insurance to ensure you are adequately protected.

Third-party liability coverage

Third-party liability insurance protects you in the event someone suffers a bodily injury or property damage while at your home. If a lawsuit is brought against you, this portion of your insurance policy will cover the cost of repairs, replacements, medical bills, funeral costs, legal fees, and other associated expenses, up to your coverage limits.

Additional living expenses

If your home is damaged by an insured event that renders your property unsafe to live in, additional living expenses will cover the additional cost of accommodations, meals, and other expenses during the period when you are unable to live in your home.

Dwelling coverage

Dwelling coverage protects the physical structure of your home from various damages and losses. Common perils included in dwelling insurance are:

• Fire and smoke damage
• Theft and vandalism
• Weather damage, including hail damage and high winds
• Car/aircraft impact
• Explosion
• Falling objects due to extreme weather

Optional homeowners insurance policies

Beyond standard homeowners insurance, many homeowners opt for add-on policies to supplement their coverage, including:

• Sewer backup coverage
• Overland water damage coverage
• Identity theft insurance

Does home insurance cover roof leaks?

Whether or not your home insurance covers roof leaks will depend on how the roof damage occurred. Roof damage is covered under the dwelling portion of your homeowners insurance policy. Therefore, if the damage caused resulted from a covered peril listed in your specific policy, then you would be able to file a home insurance claim for damages.

For example, if a severe storm causes large tree branches to fall on your roof, causing damage, or high winds blow loose shingles off your roof, causing a leaky roof, you'd likely be covered as these perils are specifically included in your policy.

However, your insurance company will not cover roof leaks if your roof damage is a result of a lack of proper maintenance, normal wear and tear that occurs due to aging, or pre-existing damage when you first purchased your homeowners insurance. Additionally, if your roof leaks as a result of a non-covered peril that is specifically excluded from your insurance policy, your insurance company will not offer assistance.

We recommend that you review your home insurance policy to get a better idea of whether your roof leaks are covered or not before contacting your insurance provider and filing a claim.

Will my insurance company cover a roof replacement?

In many scenarios, your roof leaks will likely lead to minor repairs that are easily remedied. However, if a severe storm causes significant damage to your roof, a roof replacement may be the only option. Whether your home insurance will cover your roof replacement will depend on the type of coverage you have:

Actual cash value coverage vs. replacement cost coverage

If you have actual cash value coverage, your home insurance will calculate your reimbursement by taking the replacement cost of your roof minus depreciation, resulting in a smaller settlement that could require you to pay out of pocket for some of the repairs.

In contrast, if you have a replacement cost policy, home insurance companies will cover the full roof replacement as it does not consider depreciation in its compensation calculations. When purchasing insurance coverage, ensure that you clarify with your insurance provider what type of policy you have. Some homeowners prefer actual cash value coverage as it can lead to lower insurance premiums, while others prefer to pay more to ensure their home insurance policy will fully cover their roof replacement.

Does home insurance cover water damage caused by roof leaks?

If your home suffered water damage as a result of roof leaks, whether or not your insurance provider will cover the damage depends on how the damage occurred. If an accidental event that's listed in your home insurance policy led to roof leaks and water damage, then you would receive coverage. But if the water-related damage happened due to a lack of maintenance or old age, homeowners can expect not to receive coverage.

What else does home insurance not cover?

While homeowner's insurance does an excellent job of safeguarding homeowners' interests and finances, there are several things that regular insurance policies do not cover. For example, your insurance plan will not cover appliances damaged by neglect, natural deterioration, or poor maintenance. The only way you'd receive coverage is if the appliance were damaged as a result of a covered peril.

At the same time, it may not cover mould unless the mould was caused by roof leaks that manifested from a peril listed in your home insurance policy. Lastly, all forms of pest control are the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain.

Should I file a claim for my leaky roof?

Whether or not you file a claim for your roof leaks depends on how much the repairs would cost and what your deductible is. For example, if the cost to conduct repairs out of pocket is less than your insurance deductible, filing a claim for damages may not be worth it relative to what your new home insurance rates will be the next time you renew your coverage.

In contrast, if your roof leak repairs are significantly more expensive than your deductible and you've read your policy to confirm that you have coverage, then filing a personal insurance claim makes sense.

Do I need to inspect my roof regularly to file a claim and be compensated?

Unless your home insurance policy specifically states that you need to inspect your roof once a year to be covered in the event you file a claim, you don't need to do so. That being said, booking an inspection or performing one yourself can help you avoid claims that increase your premiums.

What proof do I need to submit to my insurance provider when filing a claim?

If you intend to file a roof leak claim with your insurance provider, you'll need to document evidence of the damage. The more evidence you provide, the easier it will be for your provider to compensate you. We recommend taking as many photos and videos of the damage as possible before reaching out to your provider for assistance.

How can I tell if my roof is leaking?

Roof leaks can cause a world of problems in your home, which is why homeowners must be able to identify when something is wrong, so they can have repairs performed on their home as soon as possible. Common signs of roof leaks include:

• Water stains on your ceilings and walls.
• Mould development throughout your home.
• Bubbling or peeling paint.
• Dampness in areas of your home.
• Damaged shingles, missing shingles, or other instances of physical damage on your roof.

Do you notice these red flags? Contact your insurance provider promptly to file a roof claim.

How can I prevent roof leaks from happening?

Small leaks and other forms of damage may happen here and there. However, with the right maintenance, you can prevent home insurance claims from occurring in the first place:

Have your roof inspected regularly

Consider checking your roof annually for any leaks that could occur as a result of holes, cracks, missing shingles, or other damage.

Install preventative devices

Prevent flooding in your home by installing a sump pump, backwater valve, and tankless water heater.

Clean your gutters

Leaks can also occur as a result of clogged gutters. To prevent leaks and water damage, ensure that your gutters are cleaned once or twice in the fall and winter.

Maintain your HVAC system

Prevent home insurance winter claims by having your HVAC system serviced by a professional in the fall. This will ensure that you and your family can stay warm and comfortable throughout the season and avoid frozen pipes.

For more ways to maintain your home, check out our holiday protection tips!

Is it possible to save on home insurance costs?

The average home insurance cost in Canada is between $1000 to $2000, which can be daunting for homeowners. Luckily, there are ways you can save on your coverage by using these tips and tricks below:

• Bundle house and auto insurance: If you have other types of coverage, bundling home and auto policies with the same company may result in savings.
• Pay your insurance premiums upfront: Insurance companies add administrative fees to consumers who pay monthly. To avoid these charges, pay the insurance premium upfront.
• Ask about additional discounts: There are various savings you may be eligible for as a homeowner. Ask an insurance agent or broker about the options available to you.
• Speak to an insurance broker: Brokers work separately from insurance companies, enabling them to compare rates, customize your policy, and answer any questions you may have.
• Increase your deductible: If you can afford to do so, consider increasing your deductible. Note that when filing a claim for repairs or losses, you will need to pay more before your provider covers the remaining costs. So, only do so if you can comfortably afford to.
• Shop around: Regardless of whether you work with a broker or not, make sure to shop around and compare quotes to ensure you can secure the most affordable rate.
• Think about what coverage you need: Take a look at your insurance needs to avoid paying for coverage and limits you won't benefit from.

Can you invalidate your home insurance coverage?

Yes, you can invalidate your home insurance. Some of the most common ways you can invalidate your coverage include:

• Starting a home-based business without informing your insurance provider or acquiring additional coverage.
• Lying about your home's value, unique features, or current state.
• Being dishonest about the value of your personal possessions.
• Conducting criminal conduct on your property.
• Knowingly destroying your property or causing bodily harm to others.
• Failure to notify your insurer of any changes or renovations made to your home.
• Changing or removing the security system installed in your home without notifying your provider.
• Failing to properly maintain your property.

How BrokerLink can help

At BrokerLink, we help Canadians find affordable coverage. Whether it's your first time buying home insurance, you're looking for home insurance advice, or you have questions regarding your coverage, our experienced Brokers can do it all. With access to multiple policies from some of Canada's top providers, we'll help you compare insurance coverage options and customize your policies to ensure they fit your needs and budget. Beyond standard homeowners insurance, BrokerLink can help you acquire the following policies:

• Tenant and renters insurance
• condo insurance
• Vacation property insurance
• Mobile home insurance

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