So that the costs do not rise, the (roof) tile
A roof over your head is one of life’s basic necessities. And let’s be honest, you soon take those roof tiles above your bulb for granted. But if you’ve ever had to deal with a leaking roof, you know that this damage can expose you, your family, and your belongings to moisture and other difficulties. Your home may even become temporarily uninhabitable.
We are going to explain exactly which att insurance covers you if you suffer from a roof leak and whether it matters what type of roof you have. We will also give you some useful tips to keep your roof in perfect condition.
Does the home insurance cover it?
You may already know this, but let’s first explain what exactly home insurance is. Home insurance provides coverage for damage to your home (building). This is damage to things that are stuck in and to the house. This includes the pipes, central heating, bathroom, and your roof.
If your roof leaks, you must report the damage to the roof to your home insurance. This will cover the damage if the leakage could not have been prevented. In general, insurance will not pay out for damage that could have been prevented. If roof tiles have fallen off your roof and you have not laid down new roof tiles, you will not receive any compensation. Or if you find the mold and damp spots and don’t check where they come from – this can indicate damage to the roof. Even if you have an old roof with no interim check or maintenance, an insurer will see this as overdue maintenance. So always make sure you take good care of your home and your roof!
And what about your home insurance?
Contents insurance covers the items that you normally keep at home against damage. For example, think of furniture, your clothing, and electrical appliances. If you are not sure whether or not something is covered by home insurance, ask yourself: “If I am moving, could this item be put in the removal van?”. If the answer is yes, then your item is part of your household effects. Easy peasy lemon squeeze.
Has the leaking roof caused water damage to your household effects? Then you may have to submit a claim to both your home and contents insurance. For example, it may be that the home contents insurance provides cover for water damage to your designer sofa, and you also have to file a claim with your home insurance for the damage to the roof itself.
When do you contact the liability insurance?
In some specific situations, you can claim liability insurance. For example, if a contractor has caused a leak in your roof by making a mistake during the installation of the roof, resulting inconsequential damage. In that case, you can contact the liability insurance of that contractor.
It can also happen that your neighbors have a roof leak that also affects your home. If your own home insurance does not cover the damage, you can recover the damage from the neighbor’s liability insurance.
Does it matter what kind of roof you have?
What about the type of roof on your home? Is every roof insured against leaks in the same way?
A flat roof is just as well insured as a pointed roof. But the exception applies to thatched roofs. To be on the safe side, always check your insurance policy conditions to make sure that this applies to you – but usually, you have to take out special insurance for a thatched roof.
Thatched roofs look beautiful, and that is also the reason that people still opt for this type of roof. But a thatched roof, unfortunately, comes with additional risks. The risk of fire, storm damage, or leaks is much greater compared to a flat or pointed roof. You will therefore pay a higher premium for your thatched roof.
Prevent roof leakage
As soon as you notice that something is leaking somewhere, it would be best if you took action. If your roof or gutter is leaking, it is important to limit consequential damage, take photos of any damage, and report this to your insurer.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to prevent most leaks. Here are some tips you can use to ensure that your roof stays in perfect condition, even during extreme weather such as heavy rain, snow, hail, or storms:
- Clean your gutters and the roof surface regularly. A clogged gutter can leak or wear out. Regular cleaning greatly reduces the risk of problems with your gutters!
- Check for damage to roof details such as rainwater drains, roof ducts, skylights, wall connections, and corners.
- Even if you find minimal damage, it is crucial to take preventive action. By repairing this damage, you can prevent a lot of misery.
- If there is roof lead on your roof, you can check whether it is still watertight.
- Keep an eye out for previous signs of roof damage. This can be a damp spot or mold on the walls. These are indications that there may be something wrong with the roof.
One more thing
We recommend that you check with your (home) insurance policies how your roof is insured to know precisely what to expect if your roof starts to leak. That way, you can’t be unpleasantly surprised in a shitty situation. And by the way, if you rent a house, your landlord is responsible for taking out building insurance! You only need to take out household insurance for your furniture and belongings.
