I noticed a soft spot in the ceiling of my cabover. I climbed up and saw the sealant around the clearance lights had cracked. I opened the wall and found $8,000 of rot. I filed a claim. Denied. “Failure to maintain seals.” But here is the secret: I did get paid, eventually.
Key Takeaways
- The Golden Rule: Insurance covers “Sudden and Accidental” damage. It excludes “Gradual / Seepage / Maintenance” damage.
- The Loophole: If the leak was caused by a specific event (e.g., a low hanging branch scraped the seal, or a hailstorm cracked the vent), it is covered. You must identify the “Date of Loss.”
- Interior vs. Exterior: Even if the roof repair (the seal) is excluded, some policies might cover the resulting interior water damage if it resulted from a “covered peril” (like a storm), though this is getting harder to find.
- “Roof Protection” Warranties: These are separate from insurance. They cover the cost of resealing, but rarely the water damage if you fail to use them.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Neglect.”
RVs shake like earthquakes. Seals crack. Insurers expect you to inspect and caulk your roof every 6 months. If you can’t prove you did (maintenance logs), they assume the leak has been happening for years.
However, if a storm blew a branch onto your roof and tore the membrane, that is not neglect. That is storm damage. The way you report the claim matters.
Wrong: “I noticed it leaking lately.”
Right: “A branch hit the roof during the storm on [Date], causing a tear.” (Only say this if it is true!)
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Carriers)
I looked at the water damage language.
National General
- The Language: Strict “Gradual/Seepage” exclusion.
- The Exception: If you can prove the water entered due to a “Collapsing” of the roof or a “Falling Object,” coverage applies.
Progressive
- The Feature: They offer “Roof Protection” as an add-on.
- The Detail: This pays to replace the roof skin (like a warranty) for wear and tear, but check if it covers the water damage below. Usually, it focuses on the roof itself.
Foremost
- The Win: They have historically been more lenient on “ensuing loss.” Even if the seal failed (excluded), the water damage result might be covered under specific Comprehensive terms, but you have to fight for it.
[IMAGE: Photo of a cracked lap sealant on an RV roof next to a photo of a water-stained ceiling]
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Insurance Result |
| “It’s been leaking for months” | Denied (Gradual/Neglect) |
| “Old sealant cracked” | Denied (Maintenance) |
| “Tree branch punctured roof” | Covered (Sudden/Accidental) |
| “Hail cracked the vent cover” | Covered (Sudden/Accidental) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Inspect Every 90 Days: Take photos of your roof seals with a date stamp. If a leak happens later, you can prove “It was fine 3 months ago, this was sudden.”
- Identify the Trigger: Do not file a claim for “a leak.” File a claim for “Storm damage on [Date].” You must tie the leak to an event.
- Mitigate Immediately: Tarp the roof. If you let it keep raining inside while waiting for the adjuster, they will deny the additional damage for “failure to protect property.”
- Use “Eternabond”: Keep a roll of Eternabond tape. It is the only roadside fix that actually stops water instantly.
FAQ
Does insurance pay to reseal my roof?
No. Resealing is maintenance (like an oil change). You pay for that.
What if I just bought the RV and didn’t know?
Doesn’t matter. You bought the condition. “Pre-existing damage” is excluded.
Can I claim mold resulting from the leak?
Likely no. See the “Mold” article. Usually excluded unless you have a specific buy-back endorsement.