Insurance covers sudden and accidental losses, not maintenance. If a tree falls on your roof and water comes in, that's typically covered. If your 25-year-old roof has been slowly leaking and finally caused interior damage, the insurer will likely deny the resulting damage and tell you the roof itself was your responsibility to maintain.
Understanding the Basics
Does homeowners insurance cover roof leaks?
By Roni Rivers, Licensed Insurance AdvisorReviewed
It depends. Sudden leaks from a covered peril (like a windstorm) are usually covered. Long-term leaks from age or poor maintenance are not.
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