The roof on your home is the part that protects the entire house and everything in it, and this is why roofs are constructed in ways that make them durable and tough. A roof, though, could leak, from time to time, for a number of reasons, and you might wonder if damage caused by your leaky roof is covered under your homeowner's insurance policy. The answer is that it might be or it might not be. It really depends on the situation.
Causes that would lead to your insurance covering the damages
The main cause of roof damage that would normally be covered under a homeowner's insurance policy is from storm damage. You cannot control the weather, which means it would not be your fault if a storm swept through your neighborhood and destroyed your roof. It could be damage caused by a windstorm, for example, as wind is often capable of ripping shingles right off a roof. Damage from a storm could also occur if the storm involved hail. When hail is big enough, it has the ability and strength to cause dings in a roof and even holes right in the shingles. If you have a leaky roof, due to either of these things or from some other type of storm damage, you should talk to your insurance agent to find out if you can file a claim or not. You will likely find that you will be able to file a claim and receive compensation for the repairs your roof now needs.
Causes that might prevent your insurance from covering the damages
The other thing to understand is that if you have a leaky roof due to a lack of maintenance or from the age of the roof, the damages likely would not be covered. For example, if your shingled roof is 30 years old and you experience a leak after a storm hits, the insurance company probably would deny the claim, due to the condition of the roof prior to the storm occurring at your home.
As a homeowner, you have the responsibility of maintaining every part of your home, including your roof. If you know of any problem with your roof, you should address it quickly to prevent leaks from occurring.
If you have questions about your home insurance or if you are ready to get quotes from other companies, contact a homeowner's insurance agent today.