Does home insurance cover roof leaks? Usually, yes, if the leak was caused by something sudden, like a storm or a falling tree. But if the leak happened because the roof was old or badly looked after, your claim is likely to be turned down. Here's how it works, and how to give yourself the best chance if you need to claim.

When does home insurance cover a roof leak?

Most buildings insurance covers damage from sudden, unexpected events. For roofs, that usually means:

  • storms and high winds
  • a tree or branch falling on the roof
  • other one-off accidents

Insurers usually won't pay for leaks caused by:

  • normal wear and tear, like old or slipped tiles
  • poor maintenance, like blocked gutters
  • damage that built up slowly over time

How are storm damage claims judged?

If you complain about a rejected storm claim, the Financial Ombudsman Service asks three questions (Financial Ombudsman Service, n.d.):

  1. Were there storm conditions on or around the date of the damage?
  2. Is the damage the kind a storm usually causes?
  3. Was the storm the main cause, or would the damage have happened anyway?

The Ombudsman checks weather records for your area. It says it's unlikely to agree that damage came from a storm "some time in the past" or from general bad weather over time (Financial Ombudsman Service, n.d.). So if your roof was already in poor condition, a storm claim may fail.

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Older roofs: the older your roof, the more likely an insurer is to say a leak is wear and tear. Keep records and photos of any roof repairs, so you can show it was looked after.

What about damage inside my home?

Home insurance is usually split into two parts:

  • Buildings insurance covers the structure, like the roof, walls and ceilings.
  • Contents insurance covers your belongings, like furniture, carpets and electronics.

If water from a roof leak ruins your sofa, you'd usually claim on your contents insurance.

Who pays for a roof leak in a flat?

  • Renters: your landlord is usually responsible for the roof and the buildings insurance. You may want your own contents insurance.
  • Leaseholders: check your lease. The freeholder is often responsible for the roof.
  • Share of freehold: all the owners usually share the cost of buildings insurance and roof repairs.

How to spot a roof leak early

  • Stains on ceilings or walls.
  • Damp or dark patches on loft timbers or insulation.
  • Daylight coming through the roof when you look up in the loft.
  • Drips in the loft when it's raining.
  • Missing or broken tiles, especially after a storm.

Check your roof from the ground, ideally with binoculars. Don't climb up yourself. If you can't find the leak, call in a roofer.

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Watch out for rogue roofers. After a storm, some traders knock on doors offering "urgent" repairs. Read how to spot a roofing scam before you agree to any work.

How to prevent roof leaks

  • Check your roof and replace broken tiles quickly.
  • Clear gutters and downpipes, especially in autumn.
  • Cut back branches that hang over the roof.
  • Check the seals around skylights and chimneys.
  • Look at flat roofs regularly for cracks or pooling water.

For more ideas, see our home maintenance guides and how to protect your home in high winds.

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Stay on top of roof maintenance. Planna's HomeScore checks your home's safety, condition and energy, and sets tailored tasks, so small problems get fixed before they become expensive. Keep your repair receipts and photos safe in the Planna app.

How to claim for a leaking roof

  1. Stop further damage if it's safe, for example by putting a bucket under the drip. Keep receipts for any emergency repairs.
  2. Take photos and videos of the leak and the damage.
  3. Contact your insurer as soon as you can and explain what happened.
  4. Gather evidence, like receipts for past roof repairs and weather reports for the day.
  5. Wait for approval before you book permanent repairs, unless it's an emergency.

If your claim is rejected and you disagree, complain to your insurer first. If you're still unhappy after eight weeks, or you get a final response you don't agree with, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free.

Roof leaks and home insurance: quick answers

Does home insurance cover roof leaks?
Usually, if a sudden event like a storm caused the leak. Not if it's down to wear and tear or poor maintenance.

Will my insurer pay to replace an old roof?
Unlikely. Insurers don't usually pay for damage caused by age or wear and tear.

Does contents insurance cover water damage from a leaking roof?
Usually, yes, for your belongings. Check your policy for the details.

What counts as a storm?
When a policy doesn't define it, the Financial Ombudsman Service treats a storm as violent winds, usually with rain, hail or snow (Financial Ombudsman Service, n.d.).

Whatever your next move, see how Planna can help at every stage of your home journey.

This article is for general information. Always check your own policy wording.

References

Financial Ombudsman Service (n.d.) Storm damage. Available at: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/businesses/complaints-deal/insurance/home-buildings-insurance/storm-damage (Accessed: 5 November 2026).