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You should be covered if the cause of the leak was a covered event.
You won’t be covered if the roof is leaking as a result of poor maintenance.
Whether most insurers will cover a roof leak comes down to what caused the leak.
If your home insurance covers the damage to the roof, it’ll generally also cover any water damage.
But in cases where the leak isn’t covered, like excluded events or general wear and tear, your insurer won’t help you pay for the resulting water damage, either.
No, most insurers won’t cover roof leaks or resulting water damage caused by mold.
If your roof is damaged after an event covered by your insurance, like a storm, contact your insurer as soon as possible. If you wait to file a claim and/or start repairs and the water damage gets worse in the meantime, your insurer may decide that the water damage was a result of negligence and refuse to pay out.
If your roof has been leaking for years and is only now becoming a problem, avoid making a claim — not only is your insurer likely to reject your claim, but they could also raise your premium as a result. And if your roof starts leaking out of nowhere, try to find the cause before filing a claim with your insurer.
To help prevent any leaks or problems with your roof, you’ll want to clean the gutters and downspouts and clear any debris, such as leaves, moss and branches, regularly. You can do this yourself or hire a handyman to do it.
You’ll also want to inspect your roof regularly — you can do this yourself or hire someone to inspect your roof at least once a year. If you spot any mold, rust, broken shingles, missing or damaged flashing or nails or cracked/worn sealant, you’ll need to repair your roof as soon as possible to prevent further damage. If you’re not comfortable making repairs yourself, hire a contractor.
Finally, you’ll want to trim any overhanging branches and insulate your house and roof to prevent ice dams.
There are three typical signs that your roof may be leaking:
Regularly maintaining your roof and hiring a roofing expert to rectify any design or installation problems it may have can help prevent any problems. And for disasters outside of your control, like storms and falling trees, get a home insurance policy that can protect you and your home.
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