Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?

Water damage on your home’s ceiling or walls can be an indication of a leaking roof. While fixing a roof leak can be surprisingly affordable, it’s good to know that your homeowners insurance does cover roof leaks. But you should also be aware that if a leak occurs due to a lack of maintenance, you may have to pay for the repairs yourself. In effect, whether your homeowners insurance company will reimburse you for the repairs depends on the cause of the leak.

Most homeowners insurance policies cover an “open peril” list that typically includes any damage resulting from storms, lightning, hail, fire, smoke, explosions, vehicles, aircraft, and vandalism. Gradual wear and tear or lack of maintenance do not fall under this category. So, if a tree felled by a storm puts a hole in your roof, the repairs will likely be covered. If, however, your weather-worn asphalt shingle roof springs a leak, you may have to take care of the damage yourself.

Any roof damage that is sudden and accidental is usually covered by homeowners insurance. That means most insurance companies will also deny a leaky roof claim if it’s caused by pests, birds, wet rot, improper code materials, contractor errors, or neglect. While mold damage is typically excluded, it is covered if it’s the result of a covered incident.

When to Reach Out to a Roofing Company

Except for the most basic leaks, it’s best to have a professional roofing contractor assess the damage and recommend repairs. You may think you’re saving money by repairing a leak yourself, but you could end up costing yourself far more if your repairs are inadequate and lead to wood rot or mold damage. What’s more, if your insurance company learns that new damage is the result of work you performed yourself rather than having a licensed contractor do the job, the company may say that you’re responsible for the damage and deny your claim.

Roof Replacement and Repair From a Licensed Contractor

Before you reach out to your insurance company, contact Chesapeake Remodeling Group. Since 2000, we have been serving residents of Baltimore, Maryland, and surrounding areas, with comprehensive residential roofing services. If your roof is leaking, we can inspect your roof to identify all of the damaged areas. As a full-service roofing company, we can also help file your insurance claim and handle the entire claim process. That means we can also review your claims summary with you to ensure that all the reported damage is included and that you’re compensated properly. If necessary, we will request adjustments.

Once you’re satisfied with the summary, our team can take care of any roof repairs you need and can also replace your roof, if necessary. Plus, we back our work with a five-year labor warranty that is on top of the robust manufacturer warranties that cover our roofing systems. For more information, contact Chesapeake Remodeling today.