Roof Leaks and Water Damage: What You Need to Know About Insurance Coverage
It’s a homeowner’s worst nightmare: after one heavy storm, you discover that your roof is leaking and your home has extensive water damage. However, before you panic, know that if you have the right insurance coverage, many of the costs associated with repairing a leaky roof and any resulting property damage can be covered. Leaking roof insurance questions can be confusing and daunting, but it is vital to understand what is and isn’t covered by insurance policies. Here, we’ll explain whether roof leaks and water damage are covered by Insurance. Keep reading.
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Types of Roof Damage Covered by Insurance
Fallen Trees
If trees fall on your roof, causing roof damage, you may be uncertain if your homeowner’s insurance policy will provide coverage. Whether or not a tree fall is covered largely depends on basic circumstances. If a falling tree was the result of natural weather conditions or neglect from a homeowner who was aware that an overhanging tree posed a risk to the roof.
If weather-related, the claims would generally be accepted and insured. On the other hand, if damages were due to a lack of maintenance, it may be denied. So while insurance offers coverage on some falling tree damages, homeowners should always keep close tabs on their property’s trees to ensure its continued safety.
Severe Weather
With the everchanging weather conditions, your roof can take a beating from severe storms. From high winds, heavy rain, and even tornadoes, a home’s roof is often the first casualty. If not properly maintained and cared for, repairing storm damage to your roof can be expensive. Fortunately, homeowner’s insurance policies recognize the harm that mother nature can cause to our homes and have adopted measures to help protect us from these devastating losses. Insurance policies offer coverage for storm damage to roofs, so homeowners are not left with mini fortunes in repair bills.
Fire
Accidental fires are among the most common roof damage covered by homeowners’ insurance. If a candle overturned or a stove left unattended leads to your house being engulfed in flames, your policy is designed to safeguard you against that type of loss. However, a homeowner’s policy won’t protect against intentional fires. If an investigation reveals that the owner deliberately set their property ablaze, the insurance company will decline coverage.
Does Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?
After a heavy rain shower or storm, your roof might leak. Depending on the cause of the leak and what is covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy, you may be eligible to receive some coverage for repairing your leak. For instance, if wind or hail are listed as covered perils in your policy, then the repair costs of a roof leak due to those will likely be taken care of by your insurance company. However, for any leaks caused due to the property owner’s lack of maintenance or regular wear and tear, the homeowner would not be able to claim from their insurer. Therefore, it is essential to regularly inspect and maintain your roof to avoid costly repairs and potentially unexpected costs down the line.
How to Make an Insurance Claim for Roof Leaks and Water Damage
Making an insurance claim for roof leaks and water damage can be tricky. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to make the process smoother and more successful.
Assess the Damage
Even if you think it’s just a small issue, you should always take the time to thoroughly inspect the roof. You can do this yourself or hire a reliable roofing company. However, do not make any temporary repairs until the entire extent of the leak is determined. The company will provide a detailed report on everything from what caused the leakage to how much it will cost to repair – with all records kept for later reference.
Understand Your Policy
Does it cover a roof leak or not? Is there a policy limit and deductible that you need to factor in? Knowing exactly what type of damage is eligible according to your coverage can save you time and hassle when submitting an insurance claim. Taking time to investigate the details upfront can help ensure that your claim runs smoothly.
Document the Damage
You can start by taking photos of the source of the leak and any resulting water damage. These photos will show the insurance company the recent damage and help establish a timeline of events. Additionally, fill out an extensive report describing the cause of the leak, damages from the leak, estimated time frame for repairs, type of repair needed, and cost of repair. Having this information readily available will greatly increase your chances of a successful claim.
Get in Touch with Your Insurer
Time is of the essence, as most standard policies have a timeframe stipulated for filing a homeowner’s insurance claim. If you don’t reach out and file within this restriction, it may lead to your water leak claims being refused. After you make contact, an adjuster may investigate whether the facts support your version of events.
Find a Local Roofing Company
Even if the damage appears small, you should still enlist the help of a contractor who can give you an accurate assessment of what kind of repairs are needed. When requesting a written estimate, go into detail about the work that needs to be done and why it’s necessary. If it turns out that there’s more major damage than expected, then make sure the company itemizes all their suggestions for repairs in writing.
File Your Claim
Finally, it is time to file your claim. It is wise to seek assistance from a qualified home insurance attorney to guide you through the process and assist if your insurer denies your claim. With their help, you will have a better chance of filing a lawsuit to get the justice you deserve. Make sure you include all the necessary information and evidence that is needed to prove your assertions.
