Finding roof or gutter damage can be stressful. We’re here to help get things sorted as quickly and smoothly as possible. We’ll guide you through the cover provided by your home or landlord insurance policy, and the steps to repair your home.
General guidance on what your policy covers
Depending on your policy and the cause of damage, your AA Insurance home and landlord policy covers sudden, unforeseen, accidental damage to your home. This includes damage caused by a weather event, such as:
a tree falling and landing on your roof during strong winds, or
sudden internal water damage caused by rain entering the home during a storm, such as through a roof or gutter.
In some cases, the cause of the leak may not be covered by your policy due to the exclusions listed below. Even if the cause of a leak isn’t covered (for example, if it relates to gradual damage or maintenance issues), we’ll assess whether any resulting damage inside your home is covered. Cover depends on the cause and your policy terms, including exclusions.
Contact us to discuss cover provided by your policy and refer to your policy documents for full details.
Common examples of what may not be covered
Depending on your policy and the assessment, some types of damage aren’t covered by your policy, including:
Faulty workmanship (e.g. incorrectly installed gutters or roofing)
Existing damage that was present before the weather event
Gradual damage such as rot, mould, or mildew from moisture exposure, wear and tear, or corrosion
Design faults in the structure or drainage system
Overflowing or poorly draining gutters due to poor maintenance
It's important to note that, if our assessment finds the damage is gradual in nature, it may not be covered, even if you’ve only noticed it recently.
What to do if you find damage
Stop the leak - if it’s safe to do so, arrange for urgent work to be performed (generally by a qualified tradesperson) to locate and stop the leak, and keep receipts and photos. The cost of finding and stopping a leak is usually your responsibility but we’ll consider reasonable urgent costs where the damage is covered and the work was necessary to prevent further loss. If you can, contact us before arranging any non-urgent or larger repairs so we can guide you on next steps.
Send us photos and supporting documents - once you lodge your claim, please provide the contact details of your tradesperson. We’ll need any reports and information they can provide us about the leak. We may also need close-up and wide-shot photos of the damage and surrounding area. Please only take photos from ground level or from a safe, accessible area. If a tradesperson is involved, we may contact them to request relevant reports or quotes and to discuss the damage, as required to assess your claim. We’ll use any information provided to help understand the cause and extent of the damage.
More about the claims process
If your claim is accepted, we may arrange a restoration team to test moisture levels and start the drying process. After that, we’ll gather quotes for repairs.
If we confirm that your roof or gutters have been damaged by a weather event, we can arrange for an AA Insurance–approved builder to assess the damage and provide a repair quote.
If you already have a quote from your own builder, you’re welcome to share it with us for review. If we agree with the scope and cost, we’ll discuss settlement options with you, which may include paying you an agreed cash amount, subject to your policy terms and excess.
Need help?
We’re here to support you. If you have any questions, are unsure about your cover, or need help with your claim, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Visit aainsurance.co.nz/contact for ways to get in touch.
Any questions?
Now’s a great time to review your insurance. We recommend checking your details are up to date and ensuring the policy and cover you’ve chosen is right for you and your insurance needs.
If you have any questions about your insurance, need to update your AA Insurance policies or would like a quote, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can find our opening hours and ways to get in touch with us on our contact page.
This blog provides general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation or personalised financial advice. Excesses, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply to AA Insurance Limited’s policies. Please check the policy wording for details of cover. The provision of cover is subject to the underwriting criteria that apply at the time.
