How to File a Roof Leak Insurance Claim

June 13, 2025

Summary

Start by keeping your roof in good condition and getting to know policy specifics, like coverage, deductibles, and exclusions. This will give you the best shot at approval.
You need to act fast when leaks strike. First, use buckets, pots, and whatever else you have on hand to catch the water. Cover the area of your roof where it’s coming from if you can trace it to the source.
Document everything—even if it seems minor. Photos, video, receipts, and written records with dates, times, and details can help prevent mistakes.
Whenever possible, file your claim by phone with a live agent. Automated systems leave too much room for omissions and glitches that could cost you your claim.
Work closely with the adjuster when they visit and offer context they might otherwise miss. If you decide to pay for anything out of pocket, keep your receipts and seek a second opinion so the insurer can’t lowball you.

It starts as a harmless-looking little stain on the ceiling—a little area of discoloration that randomly appears one day. You frown, maybe make a mental note to have someone check it out. It never gets worse, so you eventually write it off as cosmetic.

Fast forward to hurricane season. A major storm dumps 5 inches of rain on your roof in just a few hours, and suddenly, your “cosmetic stain” is now an impressive leak.

What’s your next move? If you said “file an insurance claim,” you’re partially right, but you’ll need to do a lot more than just report it if you want to win. Below, we’ll show you how to set yourself up for success with rates and claims from day one—plus how Roof Maxx can help with insurance.

Can Roof Maxx Help You Avoid Insurance Issues?

Filing an insurance claim for a roof leak is never simple. If your shingles are very old, your provider will almost always try to fight your claim—and they may even accuse you of neglect.

Roof Maxx doesn’t fix leaks—but it does make old, dried-out asphalt shingles flexible again so they can shed moisture more effectively. Our soy-based solution is scientifically proven to reduce the permeability of shingles by up to 60%!

Having your roof treated also sends a strong message that you care enough about your roof to keep it in good condition. It might even help you get better insurance rates.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s show you how to navigate the claims process.

1. Get to Know Your Policy In Advance

Here’s a little insurance industry secret: insurers love when people don’t actually read what’s in their policy. If you don’t know what you’re covered for, you’re less likely to file a claim!

Take a few minutes to get familiar with your policy and what your homeowners insurance actually covers before you have a leak—not while you’re scrambling to stop one. Pay close attention to any specifics, like:

What your coverage includes. Some policies cover wear and tear, negligence, accidents, or storm damage. Others only cover specific problems or total failures.
How much you can expect to pay out of pocket. Make sure you know your deductible and what you’re expected to pay up-front. Some policies are limited to 1 claim per year—or over the lifetime of your policy.
If any exclusions exist. Common exceptions include “acts of god,” floods, wildfires, or hailstorms, but some policies are so strict they won’t cover regular wear and tear.

You should also know your responsibilities—what your provider expects you to do if you find a leak. For example, some insurers will be fine with you reaching out days later, while others want you to call them immediately instead.

2. Do Your Best to Slow or Stop the Leak

Step one is to break out the buckets, towels, and bins—heck, even pots work—to catch the leak. You’ll need to monitor these closely and empty them often when they start to get full, but they’ll help keep the water from infiltrating your floors.

Next steps include:

Protecting your valuables. Move any furniture, electronics, and other personal belongings away from the leak or at least out of the room, if possible. Cover anything that can’t be moved with garbage bags, tarps, or blankets.
Finding the source of the leak. Water rarely travels a straight path. See if you can trace it back to a common entry point, like your roof vents or flashing.
Releasing any trapped water. Sometimes, water will pool up in the ceiling or bubble up behind paint. Use a sharp object to poke a small hole in it and have a bucket ready—this will reduce the risk of structural damage.
Covering the leak. You can try temporarily covering the area of the roof where you suspect the leak is coming from with tarp, roofing tape, or patching material. If you don’t feel comfortable getting on the roof, ask a local roofer instead.
Pulling the moisture out of the air. Run fans and/or dehumidifiers constantly to help dry out wet surfaces and discourage the growth of mildew or mold. Some water remediation companies will loan them to you for a small fee.

If the leak is so severe or so large that there’s no real way to stop it, just focus on getting your loved ones to safety instead. Call a roofer for help once you’re in a safe location.

3. Document the Damage

Everyone is safe and you’ve managed to rescue a few belongings—now it’s time to build your case with thorough documentation. Your list of evidence should include:

Clear photos and videos. Capture both distant and close-up shots of the leak itself and any related damage, like staining, wood rot, or mold. Take pics and video from multiple angles to help clarify the scope and extent.

Witness statements. Ask anyone who was present to write a brief statement describing what they saw. Have them notarized by a notary public.

Detailed records. Write everything down, including important dates, times, names, reference numbers, and claim IDs. The more thorough, the better.

It’s always best to err on the side of caution by collecting too much information versus too little. So, when in doubt, write it out!

4. File Your Claim

Most insurers let you file a claim by calling their hotline or logging into your account online. A few now have apps that let you submit evidence right from your phone. We strongly recommend calling to speak with someone because:

They can guide you through the process one-on-one.
There’s less room for mistakes and omissions.
The company will have a record of the call on file.

Automated methods aren’t as reliable, and they leave room for the insurer to say they never got your claim or that it was missing critical info.

Follow your insurer’s instructions to the letter at all times. If you run into problems uploading documents, need more time to fax them over, or have any other questions along the way, don’t just guess how to proceed—call the hotline and ask.

Read More: How to Find and Fix Roof Leaks

5. Work With Your Adjuster

Most insurers will send an adjuster over to examine the leak and any related damage after you file your claim. How you handle this visit can impact the outcome. For best results, follow these tips:

Make sure you’re home. You’ll need to let the adjuster in. If you work from home, expect to take a couple of hours off so you can participate in the assessment.

Have your documentation ready. Don’t assume the adjuster will have access to them. Offer them a copy of all notes, photos, and videos on the spot.

Add context during the walk-through. Point out any damage, then explain how it connects to factors like when the leak started, how quickly it spread, and what you did to contain it.

Ask for the adjuster’s name and contact info. Take their card or write the info down alongside a quick summary of what was said so you have a record of it.

Remember: the adjuster’s job is to inspect the damage, collect evidence, and submit a report to your insurance company. They aren’t your friend, and they don’t have the authority to approve or deny your claim—so don’t expect them to have all the answers.

Important Info About Expenses, Receipts, & Second Opinions

Insurance claims can take months to process and even longer to pay out. In the meantime, you’re often left footing the bill for cleanup or repairs on your own dime. This can be risky, because there’s no guarantee that your provider will reimburse you.

Still, it’s worth hanging on to receipts and invoices for expenses if you decide to pay out of pocket. You can ask to be reimbursed for:

Clean-up supplies like tarps, towels, buckets, and mops.
Dehumidifiers, fans, or other water-removal tools.
Out-of-pocket repairs made before claim approval.
Professional services such as roofers or water remediation.
Hotels, Air B&Bs, and other temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable.

Keep in mind that insurance companies have a vested interest in downplaying the costs and keeping the total payout down. Get a few estimates from local pros, too—it’ll help you assess if you’re being jerked around and give you hard evidence in case you need to fight back

Show Insurers You're Committed With Roof Maxx

Giving yourself the best possible chance to win roof leak insurance claims starts with understanding your policy and what it covers. Read the fine print, and if you aren’t sure what a clause means or whether it applies to you, ask the company or talk to your lawyer instead.

Don’t wait for leaks and early roof failures to force you into a knock-down, drag-out fight in court. Show your provider how committed you are to extending the life of your asphalt shingle roof now and in the future by having your roof treated with Roof Maxx. Get a free quote now!