Will insurance pay for an old leaking roof?
Insurance does not normally exist to pay for ordinary deterioration or a roof simply reaching the end of its life. Whether resulting damage is covered depends on the insured event and individual policy, so homeowners should check the wording and contact their insurer.
Wear and tear versus sudden damage
Home insurance is designed for unexpected events rather than the gradual deterioration every roof experiences. A roof that has been leaking progressively is usually seen as a maintenance matter.
That does not automatically rule out a claim where a specific event caused specific damage to an older roof, but the distinction is the thing an insurer will focus on.
What to do either way
Get the cause established and documented. Even where a claim is unlikely, a clear report of what has failed lets you plan repair or replacement properly.
Check your policy wording rather than relying on assumptions, and ask your insurer directly if the position is unclear.