German Roofing Trade Warns Homeowners on Roof Insurance Obligations

Homeowners and property managers in Germany often assume that building insurance will fully cover roof damage, but insurers may refuse or reduce payouts if preventive measures are not documented. Johannes Lauer, Landesinnungsmeister of the German roofing trade in Rhineland‑Palatinate, stresses that insurers require proof that owners have fulfilled their duty of care.

Since 2011, new roofs and major renovations must include wind‑suction protection tailored to the building’s location, height, roof type and slope. The roofing trade also mandates regular (at least annual) inspections by a qualified roofing firm, not a general caretaker, and proper sizing of water‑drainage components. Failure to provide evidence of these measures can lead insurers to cut or deny claims.