Will insurance pay for a water damage claim on a roof that was replaced 7 years ago?

Most standard homeowner's policies include coverage for roof damage and repair. Because a leaky roof can lead to internal damage or mold, getting it repaired can actually reduce the long-term insurance costs. Add to that the fact that 7 years is a long period of time, and the likelihood of coverage goes up. You will have to check you policy for the exact details, or contact you insurance company for more information about you policy.

Who put the roof on 7 years ago is not a huge concern. If there had been leaking immediately after the work was done, it would indicate questionable workmanship, but most contractors only provide a warranty for 1 to 5 years on a roof installation. The insurer may want to see the receipts if you have them to better estimate the cost of a settlement, but doing the work yourself should not be a factor. Unless a particular repair requires the skills of a tradesman, such as electrical or plumbing work, the homeowner is within their rights to pull the necessary permits and do the work themselves.

File the claim as soon as possible. Failure to get the roof repaired as quickly as possible could result in a claim being denied, or only partially accepted. Consequential damage related to a leaky roof could be regarded as negligence on the part of the homeowner, so do a minimum amount of emergency repair immediately and add those costs to the total claim later.

Since the insurance policy is responsible for the total cost of the house, it is in their best interest to settle a claim for repairs because that maintains the property value. Depending on the type of policy you have, some of the costs may still be out of pocket expenses, and you may have a deductible to pay.