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Home insurance does cover damage resulting from water leaks, but only when the leak is sudden or accidental, such as if a pipe burst.
Insurance does not cover damage from leaks that are a result of poor maintenance on the part of the homeowner; for example, if a homeowner fails to remedy a slow leak that causes damage over time.
To prevent being denied coverage for a water leak, check your roof and plumbing regularly for damage — especially after a storm or natural disaster. You want to catch every sudden or accidental break when it happens so you can make a prompt claim if necessary. If you don’t notice a leak until months later and make a claim at that point, your insurer might decide its the result of poor maintenance.