Choose buildings insurance, contents insurance, or combined cover for your flat-roofed property, subject to the options available.
We can consider properties with flat or mixed roof construction, including commonly used materials such as felt, fibreglass and rubber.
Get a quote online or speak to our UK-based team if you need help explaining your property’s roof construction.
Flat roof home insurance is buildings or combined home insurance for properties where some or all of the roof is flat.
It is not a separate policy that automatically covers every roof repair. Instead, it is home insurance arranged with the flat roof’s construction, condition and associated risks taken into account.
Many properties have a pitched main roof with one or more flat-roofed sections. The percentage of the roof that is flat can affect which insurers are willing to provide cover.
Flat roofs are commonly found on:
Insurers use information about your roof to understand your property’s construction and assess the likelihood of certain types of damage.
Some insurers restrict how much of a property’s roof can be flat. Others may consider homes with a larger proportion of flat roof, depending on their underwriting criteria.
A small flat-roofed extension may be treated differently from a property where most or all of the roof is flat.
Flat roofs can be covered with different materials, including felt, asphalt, fibreglass and rubber membranes.
The material can influence how the roof is maintained, how it performs over time and what information an insurer may need when assessing the property.
An insurer may ask when the roof was installed, replaced or last repaired.
Existing damage, recurring leaks, visible deterioration or incomplete repairs can affect whether cover is available and which terms apply.
Flat roofs usually have a slight fall to help rainwater drain away. Blocked outlets, standing water and damaged coverings can increase the risk of water entering the property.
Keeping the roof in good condition and following any relevant policy requirements can help reduce problems if you need to make a claim.
When getting a quote, you may be asked to estimate the proportion of your home’s roof that is flat.
This normally means the roof area of the main building, including attached sections such as:
Detached garages, sheds and other outbuildings are usually assessed separately, although you should always follow the questions asked during your quote.
You do not normally need a professional measurement. A reasonable estimate using property plans, satellite images or your existing knowledge of the property may be enough.
Not sure how to work it out?
Read our guide: How to calculate the percentage of flat roof on your home
Flat roofs are constructed using a range of materials. The cover available will depend on the property, the condition of the roof and the insurer’s underwriting requirements.
Traditional felt roofs are commonly found on extensions, garages and older properties. Insurers may ask about the roof’s age, condition and maintenance history.
Glass-reinforced plastic roofs are often used on newer extensions and replacement flat roofs. As with other roof types, the condition and quality of installation may be relevant.
EPDM is a rubber-based roofing membrane commonly used on domestic flat roofs. Insurers may consider the age of the covering, the overall roof condition and whether any repairs have been carried out.
Other materials, including asphalt and modern membrane systems, may also be considered depending on the circumstances.
Properties with green or living roofs may require additional assessment because the construction, drainage and maintenance arrangements can differ from conventional flat roofs.
Acceptance is subject to underwriting. Cover should not be assumed for the maintenance or health of vegetation.
Buildings insurance may cover damage to a flat roof when it results from an insured event, such as:
Any claim will be assessed against the policy wording, the condition of the roof, the cause of the damage and any applicable exclusions or endorsements.
For example, if a storm damages a previously well-maintained flat roof, the resulting damage may be considered under the buildings section of the policy.
However, if water enters because the roof covering has gradually deteriorated, a long-standing defect has not been repaired, or drainage has been neglected, the claim may not be covered.
Home insurance is not a maintenance contract. Routine repairs, roof replacement due to age and existing problems are not normally insured.
No two homes are exactly alike, particularly when a property has a flat roof, an extension or a combination of different roofing materials.
Our specialist home insurance takes your property’s individual construction and circumstances into account.
Increase your legal expenses cover to £50,000 and extend protection to additional categories of legal disputes, subject to the policy terms.
Increase your Home Emergency claim limit to £1,000 per call-out, with a £1,000 annual claim limit, and add protection for specified heating, security and access emergencies.
Home Emergency Plus remains subject to its policy definitions and exclusions, including any applicable flat-roof restrictions.
Add cover for certain sudden and unexpected accidents affecting your buildings or contents, depending on the options selected.
Yes, specialist home insurance may be available for properties with flat or partly flat roofs.
The options available will depend on factors such as the percentage of flat roof, the material used, the roof’s condition, the property’s history and the insurer’s underwriting requirements.
It can. Some insurers apply restrictions based on how much of the roof is flat, while others consider the roof’s age, construction and maintenance history.
A flat roof does not automatically prevent you from arranging home insurance, but it may influence the insurers, policy terms or premiums available.
Insurers may ask you to estimate what proportion of your property’s total roof area is flat.
There is no single percentage threshold used by every insurer. The amount of flat roof an insurer will consider depends on its own underwriting criteria.
Our flat roof percentage guide explains how to estimate the figure.
Usually, yes. If an extension or integral garage forms part of the main building, its roof will normally be relevant when estimating the proportion of flat roof.
Detached garages and other separate outbuildings may be assessed differently. Follow the questions asked during the quote process and tell us if you are unsure.
It depends on what caused the leak.
If the leak results from an insured event, such as storm damage, your insurer may consider the resulting damage under your buildings insurance.
Leaks caused by wear and tear, an ageing roof covering, poor maintenance or an existing defect are not normally covered.
Buildings insurance may cover damage caused by a storm, subject to the policy terms and any relevant exclusions.
The insurer will consider whether storm conditions occurred, whether the damage is consistent with a storm and whether the storm was the main cause.
Damage that results from existing deterioration or poor maintenance may not be covered.
Possibly. Previous repairs do not necessarily prevent you from arranging cover, but the insurer may ask when the work was completed, why it was needed and whether the roof is now in good condition.
Ongoing leaks, incomplete repairs or unresolved damage should be disclosed when obtaining a quote.
Depending on the insurer and the property, flat roofs covered with felt, fibreglass, rubber membranes, asphalt or other suitable materials may be considered.
The roof’s age, condition and maintenance history can also affect the options available.
Specialist cover may be available for a listed building with a flat or partly flat roof, depending on the property’s listing, construction, roof condition and rebuilding requirements.
You can also find out more about our listed building insurance.
Home Emergency Cover only applies to emergencies that meet the policy definition.
The roofing section refers to specified roofing emergencies involving missing, broken or loose tiles causing internal water damage. Damage to flat roofs over 10 years old is excluded.
This Home Emergency restriction does not automatically mean that your buildings insurance excludes a flat roof over 10 years old. Buildings insurance and Home Emergency Cover have different terms and are assessed separately.
Cover may be available for a let property with a flat or partly flat roof, depending on the property, its use and the insurer’s underwriting requirements.
Landlord or let-property insurance should reflect that the property is occupied by tenants. Standard Home Emergency Cover and Home Emergency Plus are not available for tenanted properties under the current eligibility conditions.
Yes, subject to the options available. You may be able to arrange buildings insurance, contents insurance or combined cover for your property and belongings.
The limits and cover applicable to you will be shown in your policy schedule.
If you are unsure how to describe your roof, our team can help you work through the questions.
You may be asked for:
Get an online quote for your Flat Roof Home Insurance, tailored to your needs
*We may not be able to quote in all circumstances. Cover limits/restrictions and/or conditions may apply to the policy. These are clearly detailed prior to purchase, and in the policy documentation for you to determine if the cover is suitable for your needs.
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Making a claim has never been easier – just follow these three simple steps.
Find your insurer’s claims contact details in your policy document or Schedule. Always have your policy number to hand, as it helps your insurer’s claims team quickly identify you and assist you without delay.
Call your insurer’s claims team as soon as the incident occurs. Provide a brief description of what happened and, if applicable, notify the Police within seven days for incidents like theft or malicious damage.
If required, complete and return the claim form along with supporting documents (receipts, photos, etc.) within 30 days. This ensures a smooth, timely processing of your claim.
