Roof & Home Insurance in Luxembourg: What's Covered (2026)

Why the roof is a sensitive part of your home insurance

In Luxembourg, the roof accounts for between 15 and 25% of a house's value and is the first barrier against bad weather. Yet not all home insurance policies are equal. Between basic cover, options and exclusions, it is easy to believe your roof is protected when it is only partially covered. This article helps you decode your policy, identify risk areas and know when to call a professional.

Luxembourg's climate alternates between wet winters, violent winds and summer storms. These conditions put the roof under severe strain. Insurers know this and strictly frame their cover. Understanding what is covered (or not) saves you costly surprises when you file a claim.

Basic cover that protects your roof

Most multi-risk home insurance policies include property damage cover for sudden and accidental events. For the roof, this generally means:

• Storm and violent wind: above a defined threshold (often 80 to 100 km/h), wind damage is covered.
• Hail: hail impacts on tiles, slates or zinc work are covered.
• Falling tree or branch: if a tree falls on your roof, the insurance steps in.
• Weight of snow: some policies cover partial collapse due to exceptional accumulation.
• Consequential water damage: if seepage damages the interior after a covered event, indoor repairs may be included.

Note: these covers only apply if the damage results from an unforeseeable event. A poorly maintained or dilapidated roof can lead to a refused claim.

What your policy almost never covers

This is the most important part. Insurers systematically exclude:

• Normal wear and tear: tiles broken by time, degraded joints, corroded gutters.
• Lack of maintenance: moss, accumulated leaves, unchecked zinc work.
• Slow seepage: a leak that develops gradually over several months is not an accidental claim.
• Design or installation errors: if the roof was poorly built, the insurer turns to the craftsman, not to you.
• Cosmetic damage with no functional impact (for example, slight discoloration).

These exclusions appear in the general terms. Reading them carefully is essential before signing. If in doubt, ask for an extension of cover or a specific clause.

Storm, hail, snow: how thresholds work

Storm cover is often triggered by a wind speed threshold. In Luxembourg, policies frequently mention 80 km/h, sometimes 100 km/h. If the wind does not reach that threshold, the insurer may refuse to pay, even if tiles have blown off. To prove wind speed, you can rely on readings from MétéoLux or local weather stations.

Hail does not depend on a size threshold, but the insurer will check that the impacts are indeed the cause of the damage. An expert may be appointed. For snow, cover is often limited to exceptional events, with a minimum ground load.

Deductible, cap and wear and tear: the three traps

Even when a claim is covered, three mechanisms reduce the payout. The deductible is the amount you bear yourself (often EUR 250 to EUR 1,500 for the roof). The cap limits the amount reimbursed, sometimes to EUR 50,000 for all property. Finally, wear and tear deducts a percentage based on the roof's age: a 25-year-old roof may see its payout reduced by 30 to 50%.

Some policies offer wear-and-tear cover or new-for-old value for a limited period. Check these options, especially if your roof is nearing the end of its life. An insurance advisor can help you adjust your policy.

Filing a claim: step by step

If damage occurs, act quickly. The Luxembourg insurance code requires notification within 5 working days (often a contractual deadline). Here are the recommended steps:

• Take dated photos of the damage, from far and close up.
• Note the date, time and weather conditions (MétéoLux readings).
• Contact your insurer by phone and then in writing (registered mail or email with acknowledgement).
• Do not repair before the expert agrees, except for urgent safety measures (tarpaulin).
• Keep invoices and quotes from a professional roofer.

If an expert visits, they will assess the origin of the damage and the amount. In case of disagreement, you can request a counter-assessment. Guichet.lu provides information on consumer remedies.

Roof maintenance: the best insurance

Regular maintenance is your best protection. A roofer can check the condition of tiles, clean gutters, inspect zinc work and replace defective elements. Maintenance every 2 to 3 years costs a few hundred euros, compared with several thousand for a repair after seepage.

Keep maintenance invoices: they prove your diligence and can weigh in a dispute with the insurer. A maintenance log with dated photos is a plus.

Roof renovation and Luxembourg subsidies: Klimabonus Wunnen 2026

If your roof is dilapidated, renovation can be supported by Klimabonus Wunnen 2026, which replaced the PRIMe House programme in January 2026. The subsidies cover in particular:

• Roof insulation: up to 50% of costs, capped at EUR 15,000 (R >= 6 for sarking, R >= 7 for attic).
• Photovoltaic panels: up to EUR 10,000 (about EUR 8,300 for 10 kWp, maximum reached from 15 kWp).
• Home battery: up to EUR 2,250.
• Windows: EUR 70 per m2 of glazing replaced.

These subsidies can be combined with the super-reduced VAT rate of 3% for homes over 2 years old. Applications are made via klima-agence.lu and guichet.public.lu. Note: insurance does not fund energy renovation, but it can cover damage during works (check your policy).

Typical example: how a claim is handled

Take an illustrative case. A homeowner in Esch-sur-Alzette finds, after a storm, that 15 tiles have blown off and seepage has damaged a bedroom ceiling. He reports the claim within 3 days. The expert assesses the damage at EUR 4,500. The deductible is EUR 500, and 20% wear and tear is applied to the roof (10 years old). The payout will be calculated on the basis of repairs minus deductible and wear and tear. Result: about EUR 3,100 reimbursed. This scenario shows the importance of reading the clauses carefully.

In another case, a 30-year-old roof with recurring seepage but no exceptional weather event will not be covered. The insurer will recommend renovation, possibly helped by Klimabonus Wunnen 2026.

Choosing your insurance: questions to ask

Before taking out a policy, ask your insurer these questions:

• What is the wind threshold for storm cover?
• Is the deductible fixed or proportional?
• Is there an age limit for the roof?
• Is slow seepage covered as an option?
• Does the cover include emergency tarpaulin costs?

Compare several offers. In Luxembourg, the market is competitive and differences in cover can be significant.