Does homeowners insurance cover leaking skylights?

Homeowners insurance generally covers a leaking skylight only when the leak is the direct result of a sudden, accidental, and specific event covered by your policy, such as a severe hailstorm that shatters the glass pane or a violent windstorm that rips the flashing away. If your claim falls under these storm-related categories, your insurance will typically cover the cost of repairing or replacing the skylight and any resulting interior water damage after you pay your deductible. However, standard policies explicitly exclude leaks caused by normal wear and tear, aging rubber seals, degraded caulking, improper original installation, or a lack of routine maintenance. If a skylight begins leaking because it is twenty years old and the seals simply failed over time, the insurance company will classify it as homeowner neglect and deny the claim, leaving you responsible for the repair costs.