Does insurance pay when rainwater gets in through the roof or windows?
In short
Does insurance pay when rainwater gets in through the roof or windows? In Germany only if a storm of at least Beaufort force 8 or hail damaged the roof or windows first. Then buildings insurance pays for the roof and the water damage, contents insurance for the furniture. Rain through an open window, an old leaking roof or a blocked gutter is not covered.
What roof repairs after rain damage cost in Germany, based on published trade prices, 2026.
Example
Typical range
Roof repair or re-covering
about EUR 50 to 200 per square metre
Scaffolding
about EUR 6 to 12 per square metre
Roof tiles depending on material
about EUR 5 to 55 per square metre
Removing old tiles and insulation, 50 square metres
about EUR 1,500 to 2,500
Drying, area up to 20 square metres
about EUR 400 to 800
As of October 2026, from published trade prices.
The figures in the example are guide values from our quoting practice and depend on roof shape,
material and region.
Worked example
Storm at 80 km/h strips 12 square metres of roof, rain gets into the attic
How the insured damage adds up when a storm is the cause.
Emergency cover by the roofer
about EUR 300
Re-covering 12 square metres
about EUR 600 to 2,400
Scaffolding for the roof
about EUR 600
Drying and decorating in the attic
about EUR 1,500
Wet bed and carpet
contents insurance
Buildings insurance pays around EUR 3,000 to 4,800, minus the excess. If the window was simply open and there was no storm, you pay everything yourself.
No storm or hail, no insured rain damage
Rainwater getting in through the roof or windows is not an insured event on its own. The German model terms exclude precipitation from the pipe water module. Rain is only covered once storm (Sturm) or hail has torn an opening in the building first, such as tiles blown off or a smashed window.
Then buildings insurance pays through the storm and hail module for the damaged roof and the water damage to ceilings and walls. Contents insurance pays for furniture and carpets if it includes storm and hail.
The most common rain cases at a glance
Whether rainwater is covered nearly always depends on how the opening came about. The table shows typical cases under the model terms.
Situation
Buildings insurance
Note
Storm blows off tiles, rain gets into the attic
yes, storm and hail
force 8 or proof under A 5.1.1
Hail smashes a roof window, rain runs in
yes
hail is included
Window left tilted, thunderstorm rain gets in
no
not properly closed
Old roof leaking, no storm
no
wear, owner's maintenance
Gutter blocked, water runs into the facade
no
gutters are not pipe water
Rainwater downpipe inside the house bursts
yes, as pipe water
internal rainwater pipes are included
Heavy rain floods garden and basement
only with natural hazards cover
flooding under A 5.4.1
Roof leaking through age or defects
If rain drips through the roof every time without a storm, that is wear. The owner bears it. The model terms even require roofs to be kept in proper condition and defects fixed without delay. If you leave a known leaking roof unrepaired, you risk a cut even after a later storm.
There is one special case: if rainwater escapes from rainwater pipes running inside the building, the model terms treat it as pipe water. The exclusion for precipitation then does not apply.
Heavy rain and flooding
If rainwater does not come through roof or windows but runs across the property into basement and ground floor after heavy rain, that is flooding (Überschwemmung). It is only covered through natural hazards cover (Elementarschaden).
If rain runs from a balcony or terrace into the house because the drain is blocked with leaves, natural hazards cover usually does not pay either. Prevention is the only help: clean drains and gutters in autumn.
What to do after a storm when rain is getting in
After a storm you must prevent and reduce the damage as far as possible (section 82 Insurance Contract Act). Have the damaged roof covered temporarily, for example with a tarpaulin by a roofer, so no more rainwater gets in. The insurer must reimburse reasonable costs for this emergency step (section 83).
Photograph roof, windows and wet areas before repairs, and note the date and time of the storm. If the wind speed at your address cannot be established, it is enough to show that the wind damaged sound buildings nearby or that only a storm could have damaged your well maintained house.
Step by step
Catch incoming water and switch off electricity in wet rooms.
Photograph roof, window and water damage.
Have a roofer put up an emergency cover.
Report the damage to buildings insurance at once, furniture to contents insurance.
Note the date and time of the storm and request weather data if needed.
Commission repairs after speaking to the insurer if possible.
Checklist
Storm and hail included in the policy
Natural hazards cover for heavy rain checked
Roof and gutters checked every year
Windows closed when you are away
Photos and invoices collected
Common mistakes
Leaving windows tilted when storms are forecast
Leaving a leaking roof unrepaired for years
Repairing the damage before it is documented
Claiming heavy rain in the basement under ordinary buildings cover without natural hazards cover
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does insurance pay if rain comes in through an open window?
No.
Rain through windows that were not properly closed is excluded.
From what wind speed does buildings insurance pay?
Under the model terms from Beaufort force 8, at least 62 km/h.
Is a leaking flat roof covered?
Only if storm or hail caused the leak.
Ageing and building defects are not covered.
Who pays for furniture when rain gets in after a storm?
Contents insurance, if storm and hail are included.
Does insurance pay for heavy rain without a storm?
Only if the property is flooded and only with natural hazards cover.
