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COMPARE CHEAP HOME INSURANCE QUOTES FOR YOUR FLAT-ROOFED HOUSE
Flat roof home insurance is, as its name suggests, home insurance that covers a property with a flat roof.
A typical home has a sloping roof built with tiles or slate. This is considered to be of ‘standard’ construction by insurers.
A flat-roofed house, on the other hand, is classed as ‘non-standard’ construction by insurers. As such, it comes with extra risks, so you need to let your insurer know that your home has a full or partial flat roof when you get a quote.
In insurance terms a roof is considered flat if it has a slope of less than 10 degrees.
If more than 25-30% of your roof is flat, then it’s considered ‘non-standard’ and the price of your policy will be affected. Flat roofs carry more risk of damage, so premiums are usually more expensive.
It should be obvious that you have a flat or partially flat roof. But if you’re unsure, then check your homebuyers survey from when you bought the property.
Rain or snow will run off a standard pitched roof. But it can build up on a flat roof, leaving it more vulnerable to leaks and damage.
Water can pool on the roof or seep through it, compromising roof seams and causing damp which can affect interior walls, making it costly to repair.
Debris can sit on a flat roof, too, adding extra weight which can cause damage.
Some flat roofs have limited lifespans of 10 to 20 years, which is much shorter than a pitched tile or slate roof, and they need regular maintenance to keep them in a good condition.
Also, flat roofs are associated with a higher risk of burglary because thieves could climb up onto them to access upstairs windows.
Find the right cover for your flat-roofed home today
Get quotesIt’s likely to cost more than a policy for a similar property which has a pitched roof. That’s simply because of the risks associated with a flat roof and the increased likelihood of having to make a claim.
Insurers will also base their premium on how much of your roof is flat, how old it is, and what material it’s constructed from.
The usual factors that affect the cost of a home buildings insurance policy also come into play. Things like the rebuild cost of the property and the excess you agree to pay in the event of a claim.
Insurance companies usually consider your home to be of non-standard construction if more than a certain proportion of your property’s roof is flat - usually more than 25-30%. If that’s the case, then you’ll likely be charged more for your buildings insurance than if the property had a pitched roof.
If you need to claim on your home insurance - for example, if your building is damaged by subsidence or your possessions are stolen - your free home excess cover will refund up to £250 of your excess.
There’s no hidden charge. But you won't be covered for things like accidental loss such as leaving a laptop on a train or accidental damage, such as spilling wine on your carpet or drilling through a pipe.
^UK residents and home insurance purchases only. Excess refunded after claim settled. Excludes accidental loss or damage claims made on your home insurance. Full T&Cs apply.
Not all providers will cover a flat-roofed property because of the higher risk of weather damage to the building and contents.
Some mainstream home insurance providers may offer cover but could add certain conditions such as annual inspections. Or they might only take on a property where the flat roof is under a certain age.
However, there are plenty of specialist insurers who are experts in understanding the specific risks associated with flat roofs and who’ll cover all ages of flat roofs in all materials including:
When calculating your premium, insurers consider things like whether the roof has been recently repaired and if it’s made from modern materials that can offer better resistance to bad weather.
There are a few things that may help you get a cheaper quote:
There’s a higher risk of damage due to wet, stormy weather and snow if a property has a flat roof. This, along with the increased risk of burglary because thieves can climb on a flat roof to access upstairs windows, means that insurance is more expensive.
If your flat roof develops a leak because it’s damaged by an unexpected event like a storm, then you may be able to make a claim. You’ll need to provide proof that you’ve kept your roof well-maintained and that the damage wasn’t caused by wear and tear or lack of maintenance.
Again, if you can show that you kept your flat roof in good repair before the damage that you’re claiming for occurred, then you should be covered for repairs. Insurance won’t pay out for general upkeep and repairs. It’s up to you to keep your roof well-maintained and to protect it from wear and tear.
As with any home insurance policy, you can consider add-ons such as:
Cover to help you deal with home emergencies such as burst pipes and blocked toilets, or if your electrical or gas supply fails. It will pay up to a certain amount for an authorised repairer to visit your home to sort out the emergency
Covers you for damage to your possessions or your property that’s the result of an accident, such as spilling paint over your carpet, or a ball being kicked through your window
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Page last reviewed: 19 January 2023
Page reviewed by: Ceri McMillan