Waterproofing
Waterproofing the roof
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Flat roof insurance is a buildings insurance policy specially designed to provide cover for properties with flat roofs. It generally offers similar protection to a standard home insurance buildings policy but can be more expensive. It can also come with certain conditions, such as a requirement to have the roof checked professionally every few years.
A flat roof is a roof with a low, or non-existent pitch, usually constructed of timber frames covered in a resistant material such as concrete, bitumen or felt.
Insurers tend to consider roofs with a slope of less than 10 degrees to be flat. If less than 30% of your roof is flat, it's unlikely to make a difference to the cost of your insurance.
If your house has a flat roof, your house insurance can be more expensive. This is because insurers consider flat roof homes to be at higher risk of water ingress, weather damage and burglary. The cost of flat roof insurance can depend on several factors, including:
There are a few things you can do to cut the cost of flat roof insurance, including:
Waterproofing the roof
Install a good guttering system to facilitate water drainage
Add a layer of insulating material above the decking
Upgrade your security to deter thieves
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Flat roofs offer less protection against storms and high levels of rainfall. If water or storm debris is allowed to remain on the roof, it will cause it to deteriorate over time – increasing the risk of you making an insurance claim.
Flat roofs also offer easier access to burglars, which could push your contents insurance premiums up too.
Flat roof home insurance will usually pay out if your roof starts leaking after being damaged due to a one-off event, such as a storm. However, to make a successful claim, you’ll have to prove the problem was not caused by wear and tear. If you’re unable to do this – for example by providing photos of damage such as torn-off tiles – you may have to foot the bill for the repairs yourself.
Flat roof home insurance will generally cover the full cost of roof repairs if you can prove your roof was in good condition prior to being damaged. However, general maintenance and repairs are not covered, and the amount you can claim for any damage will depend on a number of factors, including:
The age of the roof
The condition of the roof
The cause and severity of the damage
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