Best Home Warranties for Roof-Leak Coverage (2024)
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Homeowners insurance typically covers roof leaks caused by natural disasters, but it often doesn’t extend to leaks caused by normal wear and tear. If unaddressed, these leaks can lead to serious structural damage to your home that could cost thousands to fix. That’s why many homeowners add roof-leak coverage to their home warranty plans. Our 2024 survey of 1,000 homeowners revealed that 56% of respondents included roof-leak coverage in their plans.
To find the best home warranty companies for roof-leak coverage, we evaluated 13 leading providers. Our top pick is American Home Shield because it covers existing roof issues not commonly covered by other companies, including physical damage like dry rot. We also recommend First American Home Warranty, which covers several common roof types, including the often-excluded tar and gravel option. Elite Home Warranty is third on our list thanks to its longer 90-day warranty and lower fees when a repair person visits your home.
Keep reading to learn more about our full list of top roof-leak coverage providers, plus key considerations when choosing the right coverage for your home.
Comparing Top Home Warranty Companies on Cost and Roof-Leak Coverage
The table below compares our top five roof-leak providers based on key criteria such as monthly cost, coverage caps, and the cost of roof leak add-ons (which is the additional amount you’ll have to pay if roof leaks aren’t included in your base plan).
| Provider | Roof-Leak Coverage Cap | Roof-Leak Add-On Cost | Monthly Plan Cost* | Service Fee Cost* | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $9.99 per month | $29–$89 | $100–$125 | Visit Site | |
| $1,000 | $8.33 per month | $42–$82 | $100–$125 | Visit Site | |
| $1,000 | Varies by area | $44–$58 | $70 | Visit Site | |
| $1,000 | $8 per month | $27–$61 | $65–$100 | Visit Site | |
| $500 | $5.83 per month | $46–$55 | $100 | Visit Site |
*We requested quotes for each provider using a 2,019-square-foot single-family home in Houston, Texas.
Top-Rated Home Warranty Providers for Roof-Leak Coverage
Below is an in-depth look at our recommended home warranty companies for roof-leak coverage.
American Home Shield
First American Home Warranty
Elite Home Warranty
2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
Choice Home Warranty
Which Home Warranty Companies Didn’t Make the List?
While finalizing our list of top roof-leak providers, we excluded a few companies that we typically recommend but don’t here because they offer limited roof-leak coverage. Still, they can be great choices for homeowners with particular needs. We’ve highlighted these companies below.
AFC Home Warranty
AFC Home Warranty offers roof-leak coverage as an add-on option, but its $250 coverage limit is one of the lowest we’ve seen from a provider. However, it stands out by offering a plan-length guarantee on repairs, meaning any repair completed under the warranty is covered for the plan’s duration. AFC Home Warranty could be a solid choice if you prioritize long-term repair guarantees and are comfortable with lower coverage limits for roof leaks.
Liberty Home Guard (LHG)
Liberty Home Guard offers over 40 add-on options, including roof-leak coverage. While its coverage has a $500 cap, it excludes tile and shingle roofs. LHG could be a good fit for homeowners seeking reliable coverage for shake or composite roofs and looking to customize their plan with a range of add-ons.
Select Home Warranty
Select Home Warranty offers free roof-leak coverage with every plan, a feature that many providers reserve for their highest-tier options. However, the coverage is limited to $400, which is lower than what our top picks provide. Select also offers plans for under $60 per month, making it a good choice for budget-conscious homeowners.
What Parts of a Roof Are Covered by a Home Warranty?
Having roof-leak coverage helps reduce repair costs, but not for every type of roof damage. Home warranties cover normal wear and tear that occurs over time. Coverage doesn’t include damage due to structural issues or natural disasters such as hurricanes. In addition, coverage varies by roof type. For example, while some companies cover composition roofs, others may exclude certain types of shingle roofs.
In the table below, we compare the roof leak coverage offered by our top home warranty providers.
Key Roof-Leak Coverage by Provider
| Roof-leak Coverage | American Home Shield | First American Home Warranty | Elite Home Warranty | 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty | Choice Home Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composition roofs | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Damage caused by normal wear and tear | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dry rot | ✔ | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 |
| Flashing | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | ✔ | 𝗫 |
| Nonstructural roof leaks | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Patching over occupied living area only | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Shingle roof | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Shake roof | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tar and gravel roofs | 𝗫 | ✔ | 𝗫 | 𝗫 | 𝗫 |
| Tile roof | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 𝗫 |
How Much Does Roof-Leak Coverage Cost?
A home warranty that includes roof-leak coverage generally ranges from $468–$816 per year for the plan itself, with around an extra $8 per month for the roof-leak add-on, depending on the provider. These plans are designed to help homeowners save on minor roof repairs, preventing small leaks from turning into major issues. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), roof repairs can start around $230 for minor fixes but can climb to $1,275 or more for extensive damage.
It’s important to remember that home warranty roof-leak coverage generally excludes major damage or full roof replacements, so homeowners will be responsible for those higher repair costs. Instead, this coverage aims to catch minor issues early in an effort to avoid bigger problems.
Reading the Fine Print of Your Roof-Leak Coverage Plan
Roof-leak coverage has exclusions and limitations, including specific roof types and types of damage covered. For example, a home warranty company may deny coverage if your roof has existing damage due to poor installation, improper repairs, or lack of maintenance.
Here are some common exclusions typically found in roof-leak warranties:
- Damage from natural disasters: Home warranty companies usually won’t cover roof damage caused by natural disasters like hail, hurricanes, or major weather events. Homeowners insurance is generally required for this type of protection.
- Detached structures and building extensions: Roof-leak coverage generally doesn’t extend to detached structures like porches, patios, and garages or attached building extensions such as balconies and decks. Coverage is typically limited to leaks that affect the home’s occupied areas, like living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens.
- Items penetrating the roof: Certain features that penetrate the roof surface, including chimneys, skylights, and vents, are not typically covered under roof-leak plans, as they’re not considered part of the main roof structure.
- Roof-mounted installations: Items installed on the roof, like solar panels, solar tiles, antennas, and satellite dishes, are often excluded from coverage. Roof fixtures like gutters, downspouts, and flashing are also commonly excluded.
- Specific roof types: Some roof types, such as metal roofs, tile roofs, green (eco) roofs, tar and gravel roofs, and flat roofs, are often excluded from standard coverage due to their specialized materials and repair requirements.
- Structural damage: Most roof-leak plans limit coverage to nonstructural damage, often caused by normal wear and tear. Crucial structural components, such as beams and rafters, are typically excluded.
How To Choose the Right Home Warranty for Roof-Leak Coverage
When shopping for roof-leak coverage, remember that not all companies cover every roof type, so make sure to find a plan that includes your specific roof. Also, keep in mind that most companies won’t cover repairs for missing or damaged shingles—these typically require a roofing contractor’s services. Secondary conditions, such as mold, rot, or other environment-related damage also won’t be covered.
We also recommend evaluating the provider’s claims process and response time by reading customer reviews. How quickly a provider responds to claims and completes repairs can significantly impact your experience, especially during urgent situations. Look for companies that offer a straightforward claims process and have positive reviews regarding their responsiveness.
Consider your roof’s current condition, as most providers will only grant coverage if it’s in good shape prior to starting coverage. You may also need to provide proof of regular maintenance to ensure your claim is approved. We recommend practicing routine roof maintenance to extend your roof’s lifespan.
Advice From Real Homeowners
Many homeowners don’t have a plan for handling roof leaks beyond their homeowners insurance, which only protects your roof from weather-related damage and not normal wear and tear. We spoke with two South Carolina homeowners, Jennifer B. and Brandi H., who took two different approaches to their roof-leak issues.
Jennifer recently went through a weather-related roof repair covered by insurance and shared that she had no plan for non-weather-related leaks. “Depending on how much it costs, I would pay out of pocket and DIY the problem,” she said. However, a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to leaks isn’t always effective.
Brandi found that patching her roof only provided temporary relief. “We tried putting it off for a couple of years by patching with elastomeric, but after those two years, we had PTSD from waking up in the middle of the night with flashlights looking for leaks,” she explained. “We bit the bullet and just had the roof redone by professionals.”
A home warranty with roof-leak protection can be a practical solution, covering both minor and wear-related leaks without the headaches of DIY fixes. This type of coverage can save time, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and safeguard your home and sense of security.
How We Evaluated Providers on Roof-Leak Coverage
To help you find the best roof-leak coverage, we reviewed top providers using a comprehensive scoring system. Below is a breakdown of our process.
Our Rating System
We consulted home warranty experts, researched each provider, reviewed coverage details, interacted with customer support teams, and tested 11 home warranty providers firsthand. We also surveyed over a thousand current home warranty customers to gain a better understanding of their coverage needs, buying habits, and claim experiences.
Using our research, we developed a detailed methodology to score each company on six categories: coverage (35%), cost (20%), trustworthiness (15%), plan transparency (10%), customer support (10%), and flexibility (10%).
When evaluating home warranty companies on their roof-leak protections, we focused on the following factors:
- Roof-leak coverage caps: When looking for the best roof-leak protection, you should choose a provider that offers enough coverage to offset typical roof-leak costs. We looked for providers that offered at least $500 in coverage since that amount would cover minor repairs. Companies that exceeded that limit received more points. We didn’t include providers that fell below this threshold.
- Roof type inclusions: The top roof-leak providers should cover several common residential roof types. We checked whether each provider covers shingle, tile, shake, and composition roofs. We also considered providers that offered coverage for less common roofing types, such as tar and gravel. We eliminated any provider that only covered two or fewer roof types.
- Firsthand experience with the claims process: Our team submitted home warranty claims for various repairs and replacements to gain firsthand insight into the claims process. This experience allowed us to assess the responsiveness and efficiency of different companies, providing a clearer understanding of what homeowners can expect when navigating claims.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
