Homeowner's insurance may help pay for repairs to leaks caused by covered perils. An example of a covered peril is fire, which can often cause roof damage with accompanying water leak that a homeowner's policy may help fund the repair. However, homeowner's insurance typically does not cover risks that you neglected to take care of or were avoidable due to wear and tear. Instead, it generally helps with repairing sudden accidental damage. So if the problem is too old or is the result of an unresolved maintenance issue, homeowners insurance won't help pay the roof leak any resulting damages. Read your policy or contact your local agent to learn if your homeowner's insurance covers roof damage and how much protection it provides.