The short answer
Sometimes. Most home insurance covers storm damage, including rainwater. Insurers rarely cover gradual wear and tear, and may refuse a claim if the roof wasn’t maintained. What your policy says, and what caused the leak, decide the claim.
This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Check your own strata plan, by-laws and policy, and ask a qualified adviser about your situation.
What insurance usually covers
Moneysmart says most home and contents insurance covers storms, including damage caused by strong winds, rainwater and hail. Rainwater is usually defined as water that falls from the sky.
Policies list the events they cover, such as storm, flood, fire and theft. Moneysmart suggests reading the Key Fact Sheet and the product disclosure statement (PDS) to see what is and isn’t covered.
What usually isn’t covered
The Consumer Action Law Centre says insurers will rarely cover damage caused by gradual damage or deterioration over time. Policies also often require you to keep your home in reasonable condition. Not fixing a leaking roof is one example it gives of a failure to maintain that can lead to a claim being refused.
The cause matters. In one example the Centre gives, a tree fell in a storm and badly damaged a roof that already had missing tiles. Because the tree caused the damage, the insurer could not refuse the claim on wear and tear grounds.
What to do if your roof starts leaking
- Stay off the roof. Climbing up to check is how people get hurt. Move belongings away from the water.
- Photograph everything first. Moneysmart suggests taking photos and video of the damage before anything is moved or thrown out.
- Call your insurer early. Contact them as soon as you can, even if you don’t know the full extent of the damage. The Insurance Council of Australia says some policies have time limits, and an insurer may not pay for loss or damage caused by a delay.
- Ask before paying for temporary repairs. Moneysmart says to talk to your insurer before you spend money on temporary repairs. Some insurers can arrange emergency work such as a roof tarp.
- Get the cause found. A roofer’s photos of what caused the leak help you and the insurer see whether it was storm damage or something that built up over time.
If your claim is refused
The insurer must tell you in writing which part of the claim it didn’t accept, why, your right to copies of reports it relied on, and how to complain. You can ask for those reports, and the insurer must send them within 10 business days (Insurance Council of Australia).
Start with the insurer’s internal complaints process. If that doesn’t resolve it, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) handles home insurance complaints for free.
Live in a strata building?
The roof is usually common property, which the owners corporation must repair (NSW Fair Trading). The owners corporation is also the policyholder for the building’s strata insurance (Insurance Council of Australia). Tell your strata manager first. See our guide to roof leaks in strata buildings.
How JSJ can help
Inspections are free for home owners, with no obligation. A qualified roofer inspects the roof and finds what’s really causing the leak. After the inspection you get a written quote with photos within 24 hours, which you can give to your insurer. We don’t decide claims or give insurance advice.
See roof leak repairs and repointing.
Common questions
Does home insurance cover a leaking roof?
Sometimes. Most home insurance covers storm damage, including rainwater, according to Moneysmart. The Consumer Action Law Centre says insurers rarely cover gradual damage or deterioration, and may refuse a claim if the home wasn’t maintained, for example a leaking roof that wasn’t fixed. Your policy decides.
Should I fix the leak before I claim?
Talk to your insurer before you spend money on temporary repairs, Moneysmart says. Photograph the damage before anything is moved. Some insurers can arrange emergency work such as a roof tarp.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Contact your insurer as soon as you can, even if you don’t know the full extent of the damage. Some policies have time limits, and the Insurance Council of Australia says an insurer may not pay for loss or damage caused by a delay. Check your policy.
What if my claim is refused?
The insurer must tell you in writing what it didn’t accept and why, and how to complain. If its internal review doesn’t resolve it, you can go to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), which is free.
What can JSJ give me for my claim?
After we inspect the roof, you get a written quote with photos of what we found, within 24 hours of the inspection. You can give it to your insurer. We don’t decide claims or give insurance advice.
Is the inspection free?
Inspections are free for home owners, with no obligation. You don’t need to be home.
Sources
Checked 31 October 2026. Rules and policies change, so check the source for the current position.
- Storm, flood and fire insurance (Moneysmart (ASIC))
- Choosing home insurance (Moneysmart (ASIC))
- How to make a home insurance claim (Moneysmart (ASIC))
- A guide to home insurance claims (fact sheet) (Insurance Council of Australia)
- Exclusions in insurance policies (fact sheet) (Consumer Action Law Centre)
- Making a complaint about a financial firm (Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA))
- Strata repairs and maintenance (NSW Government (NSW Fair Trading))
- Improving outcomes for strata residents (fact sheet) (Insurance Council of Australia)