Quick Answer
Storm damage to a roof — tiles blown off, structural damage from falling trees — is typically covered by UK home insurance in 2026. Gradual wear and tear, poor maintenance, and most flat roofs over a certain age are usually excluded. Always document damage thoroughly before arranging repairs.
A roof insurance claim is one of the most common and most contested types of buildings insurance claim in the UK. The gap between what homeowners expect their policy to cover and what it actually pays out is often significant — and understanding this gap before you need to claim could save you thousands. This guide explains what is usually covered, what is not, how to make a successful claim, and how to handle disputes.
In this guide
What Is Usually Covered
Standard UK buildings insurance policies (2026) typically cover sudden and accidental damage caused by specific insured events. For roof damage, the most commonly covered scenarios are:
| Cause of Damage | Typically Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Storm — tiles blown off | Yes (usually) | Must be an insured storm event — wind speed matters |
| Falling tree branch onto roof | Yes (usually) | Sudden accidental damage |
| Lightning strike | Yes | Covered under sudden accidental damage |
| Fire spreading to roof structure | Yes | Standard buildings cover |
| Vehicle impact on outbuilding roof | Yes | Accidental damage |
| Wear and tear — tiles crumbling | No | Maintenance issue, not insured event |
| Gradual water ingress over months | No | Not sudden and accidental |
| Flat roof failure (age) | No | Excluded as deterioration |
| Lack of maintenance | No | Homeowner's responsibility |
| Poorly installed roof | No | Defective workmanship exclusion |
What Is Usually Excluded
Understanding exclusions is as important as understanding cover. The most significant exclusions for roof damage in UK home insurance policies are:
Wear and tear
This is the most common reason roof claims are declined. Mortar failing after 20 years, felt deteriorating after 15 years, or concrete tiles crumbling are all wear and tear — the normal deterioration of building materials over time. Insurance covers sudden events, not gradual ageing.
Poor maintenance
If you have known about a problem and not addressed it — blocked gutters causing water to back under the eaves, loose ridge tiles not repaired — and this causes damage, an insurer may argue that the proximate cause is lack of maintenance rather than the storm event itself. Regular maintenance of your roof is not just good practice; it is often a policy condition.
Flat roofs over a certain age
Many policies specifically exclude felt flat roofs over 10–15 years old from storm damage cover, on the basis that a flat roof of that age is already at or beyond its expected lifespan. Some policies require a separate premium for flat roof cover. Check your policy schedule and the definitions section carefully.
Consequential damage from a gradual leak
If a roof has been leaking for months and the damage to ceilings, walls, and timber has accumulated gradually, insurers may cover the sudden storm event but not the consequential damage from a pre-existing ongoing leak.
How to Make a Claim
If you have roof damage you believe is covered, follow these steps:
- Document before touching anything — Photograph and video the damage extensively before any repair attempt. Photograph the wider context too — the whole roof, gutter condition, neighbouring properties for comparison.
- Take emergency action to prevent further damage — Temporary covers and emergency repairs to stop further water entry are generally covered and expected. Keep receipts for any emergency work.
- Report promptly — Most policies require you to report claims within a specific timeframe. Delay can complicate your claim.
- Record the weather event — Get Met Office data for your area on the date of the storm. This is publicly available and is the best evidence that an insured event occurred.
- Get a survey report from a roofer — A written report from a qualified roofer stating the cause of damage is very useful. See our guide to vetting a roofer to make sure you choose someone credible.
- Do not throw away damaged materials — Keep any broken or displaced tiles, slates, or other materials until the claim is resolved.
Proving Your Case: How to Strengthen a Roof Claim
Roof claims are often disputed because the insurer's loss adjuster may argue the damage is wear and tear rather than storm damage. To counter this:
- Show the roof was maintained — Any maintenance records, previous repair invoices, or inspection reports that show you kept the roof in good condition strengthen your position significantly
- Met Office records — Demonstrate there was a qualifying storm event (typically defined as sustained winds above a threshold in your area)
- Roofer's written assessment — A report from a reputable, independent roofer stating the damage is consistent with storm impact rather than gradual deterioration
- Photographs dated before the storm — If you have any photos of the roof before the storm showing it was in reasonable condition, these are very powerful evidence
If your claim is refused and you believe it should not be, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) free of charge. The FOS resolves thousands of disputed insurance claims annually. You must first complete the insurer's internal complaints process before going to the FOS.
For the full picture of repair and replacement costs that a successful claim might need to cover, see our roof repair cost guide and our repair vs replace guide. If your roof was already showing signs of problems before the storm, our guide on how to spot a roof leak is worth reading alongside this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance premium go up if I claim for roof damage?+
Quite possibly, yes. Making a claim, especially a large one, typically affects your next renewal premium even if you are not at fault. Some policies offer a no-claims discount that is affected by claims. Factor this into your decision — for small repairs, paying out of pocket may be cheaper over 3–5 years than the premium increase.
My flat roof is leaking — is that covered?+
Depends on the cause and the policy. If the flat roof leaked because a storm damaged it suddenly — for example, a tree branch fell on it — the damage may be covered. If the felt has simply deteriorated from age, it is almost certainly not covered. Check your policy and speak to your insurer before arranging major work.
Can a roofer act as my claims manager?+
Some roofing companies offer to manage insurance claims on your behalf. Be cautious — their interest may be in maximising the claim scope (i.e. their work) rather than in getting your claim settled fairly. Use an independent roofer for a survey report and handle the claim yourself, or use an independent loss assessor.
What is accidental damage cover and do I need it for my roof?+
Accidental damage is usually an optional add-on to buildings insurance. It covers sudden, unexpected damage that is not caused by an insured event like a storm — for example, a contractor accidentally putting a foot through the roof. It is worth having, but most storm damage is covered under the standard policy without needing this add-on.
How long does a roof insurance claim take to resolve?+
Simple claims — a few tiles replaced after a storm — may be resolved in 2–4 weeks. More complex claims involving structural damage, disputed liability, or loss adjuster involvement can take 2–6 months. Emergency temporary works can almost always be authorised quickly.
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