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Roof Leak/Homeowner Insurance

Asked Oct 9, 2007, 07:20 PM — 2 Answers
I am a first time home buyer. A single mom working for Wells Fargo. I purchased my home about 6 months ago.

My bedroom ceiling collapsed. The roof of my house leaks. I paid to have this house inspected before I could purchase it. I paid for homeowners insurance. My payments are current. My insurance company tells me they won't pay to repair the leak in the roof that caused damage but they will pay for the damage the leak caused. What kind of non sense is this? Do I need an attorney?

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Fr_Chuck's Avatar
Fr_Chuck Posts: 72,597, Reputation: 37026
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#2

Oct 9, 2007, 07:57 PM


What was the roof damage caused by, wind, hail, huricane ? If it is just wear and tear and age, then insurance does not cover that.
HOme owners insurance merely pays for the listed problem.
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RichardBondMan's Avatar
RichardBondMan Posts: 833, Reputation: 349
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#3

Oct 11, 2007, 06:32 PM
I write bonds for home inspectors but only in one state and in the state I am located in and write such bonds, the inspector must not only provide a surety bond, he must also purchase liability insurance. It's his job/duty/obligation by law to disclose to you, the purchaser, of the results of his inspection. If the inspector was negligent and failed to notice what other inspectors would normally have noticed or overlooked a defect, especially one that causes you a loss, then perhaps either his surety bond (if your state requires a bond) or his liability insurance will entertain and perhaps pay a claim from you. As to seeking coverage from your HO insurance, HO policies are not warranties and also do not cover routine maintenance. However, if your roof was damaged by a covered peril (perils are those events such as a storm, fire, that cause damage) then you insurance should pay (minus your deductible) the cost to not only repair the damage to your roof but the ensuing damage to your ceiling due to the damage to the roof. I do not think you need an attorney at this point. Why not exhaust the possibilities I mentioned first.
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