Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Roof Leak in Arkansas?

A drip in the ceiling raises two questions at once: how fast can it be stopped, and will insurance pay for it? In Arkansas the answer to the second one usually comes down to a single thing: what caused the leak.

This is general information to help you know what to ask. It is not insurance advice. Your own policy, and your insurance company, decide what is covered.

When does insurance usually cover a roof leak?

Most homeowners policies are written to cover damage from a sudden, accidental event that the policy names. For roofs in Central Arkansas, that usually means:

• Hail that bruises or cracks shingles, or dents vents and flashing.
• Wind that lifts, creases or tears shingles off.
• A falling tree or limb that punctures the roof during a storm.

When a covered event causes the leak, many policies also help pay for the water damage inside, such as ceilings, flooring and furniture, not just the roof itself. Your deductible applies, and it is always your responsibility.

When is a roof leak usually not covered?

Insurers generally do not pay for leaks that come from:

• Age and wear. Asphalt shingles realistically last 15 to 20 years in Arkansas. A roof at the end of its life that starts leaking is usually treated as wear and tear.
• Maintenance problems. Cracked pipe boots, dried-out sealant around vents, clogged gutters and worn flashing are the most common leak sources we find, and they are rarely storm damage.
• Damage that builds up slowly, or damage that got worse because a repair was put off.

That is why it matters to know the cause before you file. A claim for wear and tear is likely to be denied, and a small storm claim may be less than your deductible.

Arkansas policies: two things to check before you file

• A separate wind and hail deductible. In Bulletin 17-2023 (November 2, 2023), the Arkansas Insurance Department allowed insurers to apply a separate wind and hail deductible. Look at your declarations page to see whether yours has one and how much it is.
• A roof schedule on older roofs. The same bulletin allows a roof schedule endorsement on roofs 7 years or older, with notice to the policyholder. A roof schedule can change how much the policy pays for an older roof, so ask your agent whether your policy has one.

What to do first when your roof leaks

1. Stop the water. Move belongings, catch the drip and call Patriot Roofing at 501.441.2900, answered live 24/7, for emergency tarping. Keep the receipt; the Arkansas Insurance Department tells homeowners to save receipts for temporary repairs, which a policy might cover.
2. Document it. Take photos or video of the leak, the ceiling and anything damaged, and write down when you first saw it and when the last storm came through. Do not throw damaged items away unless your insurer tells you to.
3. Find the cause. Get the roof inspected. If it is storm damage, we show you with photos and you can call your insurer with what was found. If it is age or a maintenance problem, we tell you that too, and you can decide on a repair without filing.
4. Do not make permanent repairs before the insurer inspects if you are filing a claim.

If you file, our storm claim checklist walks through each step, from the call to your insurer to the adjuster visit.

What a leak repair costs if insurance does not cover it

A repair visit for a leak is the $79.99 diagnostic, and it includes the 21-point roof inspection, with photos shown on a tablet. Patriot Care Club members pay no service fee. Repairs are priced line by line on our roof repair price list, and every repair is backed by the 365-Day Patriot Leak Free Guarantee once all recommended repairs are done.

Not sure whether you need a repair or a new roof? Start with the Roof Checkup, or see our roof repair page.

Sources: Arkansas Insurance Department, post-storm tips for consumers (April 4, 2023) and Bulletin 17-2023 (November 2, 2023).

This article is general information, not insurance advice. Coverage, deductibles and deadlines vary by policy and insurance company. Confirm the details with your agent or insurer.