Sudden storm damage
Usually covered
wind, wind-driven rain, hail, falling trees
Age and wear
Usually not
worn shingles, old boots, neglected repairs
Flood or rising water
Not covered
needs separate flood insurance
General rules from the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the Insurance Information Institute. Your own policy decides your claim.
Does insurance cover roof leaks? It depends on why the roof is leaking. A standard homeowners policy generally covers a roof leak caused by a sudden event, such as wind tearing off shingles, hail, or a tree coming down on the roof, along with the water damage inside that it caused. It generally does not cover a leak caused by age, wear and tear or maintenance that was put off, and it does not cover flooding.
The cause of the leak is what the adjuster is looking for.
This guide walks through what Tennessee’s insurance regulator says is usually covered and not covered, what to do in the first days after you find a leak, and how the claim and the repair fit together. If water is coming in right now, start with our emergency roofing page.
A brick ranch with a new gray shingle roof. Whether a leak is a covered claim depends on what caused it, not on how the roof looks afterward.
When Homeowners Insurance Covers a Roof Leak
Insurance covers a roof leak when a covered event caused it. The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI), which regulates insurers in the state, says damage caused by wind, wind-driven rain, trees or other falling objects is covered under most standard homeowners policies. The Insurance Information Institute adds that a policy pays to repair your home if it is damaged by fire, hail, lightning or other disasters listed in the policy.
In West Tennessee that covers most of what actually damages roofs here: spring straight-line winds and tornado-warned storms that lift shingles and ridge caps, hail that bruises shingles and knocks granules loose, and limbs that come down in high wind or under ice. When one of those events opens the roof and water gets in, a standard policy generally covers the roof repair and the resulting water damage inside, subject to your deductible and your policy’s terms.
When Insurance Usually Does Not Cover a Roof Leak
Homeowners insurance is built for sudden, accidental damage, not for a roof wearing out. The Insurance Information Institute says a standard policy will not pay for damage caused by flood, earthquake or routine wear and tear. That leaves out the most common slow leaks we find:
- Old, worn shingles. Curling, cracking and bald spots from years of sun are wear, not storm damage.
- Cracked rubber boots around vent pipes. These dry out and split with age. It is one of the most common leaks and rarely a covered loss on its own.
- Flashing that worked loose over several winters. Freeze-thaw cycles loosen flashing gradually, which reads as maintenance.
- Clogged gutters backing water under shingle edges. Also maintenance.
TDCI also lists a case that surprises people: interior water damage from a storm, when there is no damage to the roof or walls of the home, is typically not covered. If rain got in without anything breaking, the policy generally treats it as an opening that already existed. And flooding from rising water is excluded from standard policies entirely; that needs separate flood insurance.
Roof Leak Coverage by Cause
| What caused the leak | Usually covered? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wind lifted or tore off shingles | Usually yes | Wind and wind-driven rain are covered under most standard policies (TDCI) |
| Hail damaged the shingles | Usually yes | Hail is a listed peril in standard policies (Triple-I) |
| A tree or limb fell on the roof | Usually yes | Trees and falling objects are covered (TDCI) |
| Shingles or a vent boot wore out with age | Usually no | Routine wear and tear is excluded (Triple-I) |
| Storm rain came in with no roof or wall damage | Typically no | Listed as typically not covered (TDCI) |
| Flood or rising water | No | Excluded from standard policies; needs flood insurance (TDCI, Triple-I) |
Sources: TDCI, Disaster Resources and Triple-I, What is covered by standard homeowners insurance? These are general rules; your policy wording and your adjuster decide your claim.
What to Do When You Find a Roof Leak
What you do in the first day or two shapes how the claim goes. TDCI’s guidance for Tennessee homeowners after storm damage comes down to a few steps:
- Stop more damage. TDCI tells homeowners to make the repairs needed to prevent further damage, such as covering leaking roofs, and to save the receipts. Move belongings, put buckets under drips, and get the opening covered. Do not climb on a wet roof yourself.
- Document it. Take photos or video of the damage inside and out, from safe spots, and write down when the storm hit and what you saw.
- Report the claim promptly. TDCI says to file as soon as possible and notes your policy may require notice within a certain time frame.
- Hold off on permanent repairs. TDCI advises not to have permanent repairs made until the insurance company has inspected the property and you have agreed on the cost of repairs.
- Keep a record. Note who you spoke with, when, and what was said, and ask the adjuster for an itemized explanation of any settlement offer.
Not sure whether a storm actually damaged the roof? A roof inspection first gives you the information to decide whether filing a claim makes sense.
How the Claim and the Repair Fit Together
An adjuster inspects the damage and offers a sum for repairs based on your policy’s terms and limits. The Insurance Information Institute notes that the first check is often an advance, not the final payment, and that if you find more damage later you can reopen the claim. If you have a mortgage, the repair check is usually made out to both you and the lender, who may need to endorse it or release the money as the work is done.
Two more points from the same guide are worth knowing before you sign anything. Some contractors ask homeowners to sign a “direction to pay” so the insurer pays them directly; read it carefully so you are not assigning your whole claim to the contractor. And most policies require claims to be filed within one year of the damage, though you should check your own policy and Tennessee’s rules rather than wait.
If you believe a claim was unfairly denied, TDCI accepts complaints from Tennessee consumers about insurance claims and policies.
A brick ranch with a brown shingle roof. Valleys and gable edges like these are where wind-driven rain finds weak spots.
Storm Chasers and Contracts After a Storm
After a big storm, door-to-door roofers tend to follow it. TDCI warns Tennessee homeowners to be wary of contractors selling repairs door-to-door, especially ones asking for payment up front or offering deep discounts, and to avoid high-pressure tactics that push you to sign quickly. Its other advice: check the contractor’s license at verify.tn.gov, get more than one bid and at least three references, get every promise in writing, and generally do not pay more than a third of the cost up front.
Our guide to roofing contractor certification in Tennessee explains when a state license applies and how to check one.
How We Help With Roof Leak Claims
Insurance claims are welcome here, and we work with adjusters regularly. When we look at a leaking roof, we photograph all the damage before any temporary work happens, document what we did and why, and provide written reports with photos and measurements that an adjuster can work from. We can meet your adjuster on site when that helps the claim move.
We also tell you plainly what we see. We won’t inflate damage to get a bigger payout, and we won’t let legitimate damage get overlooked because an adjuster did a quick walk-around. If the leak is from age rather than a storm, we will say so, and give you a written estimate for the roof repair it needs.
We work on roofs from Jackson out to Milan, Humboldt, Medina, Trenton and Dyersburg. If a storm has opened your roof, see our emergency roofing services or request a free inspection below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a roof leak covered by homeowners insurance?
It depends on the cause. Tennessee's Department of Commerce & Insurance says damage from wind, wind-driven rain, trees and other falling objects is covered under most standard policies. Leaks caused by age, wear and tear or skipped maintenance usually are not.
Will insurance fix a roof leak from old shingles?
Usually not. The Insurance Information Institute says standard policies do not pay for routine wear and tear, and shingles or vent boots that wore out with age fall into that category. The repair is then the homeowner's cost.
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
Stop further damage first: cover the opening and protect your belongings, and keep the receipts. Then report the claim promptly, since your policy may require notice within a set time. An inspection can tell you whether there is storm damage worth claiming.
Can I get my roof fixed before the adjuster comes?
Temporary repairs to prevent more damage, yes, and TDCI tells homeowners to make them. It also advises not to have permanent repairs made until the insurer has inspected and you have agreed on the cost.
How long do I have to file a roof leak claim?
The Insurance Information Institute says most policies require claims within one year of the damage, but your policy may require notice sooner. Check your policy and report storm damage as soon as you can.
What if my roof leak claim is denied?
Ask the insurer for an itemized explanation in writing. If you believe the claim was unfairly denied, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance accepts consumer complaints about claims and policies.