Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Gutter Damage?

You've probably never payed much attention to your gutters before. They were just there, presumably just doing their job. Gutters are one of those things that often fly under the radar and go unnoticed until water is flying off of your roof or your foundation is leaking. 

Or, you don't notice until a big branch falls on you roof and damages your gutter system. 

Now, that's all you notice. 

About the Gutters

Rain gutters are not just a stylistic addition to your home, they are an important part of protecting your home from water damage. Improperly installed gutters can lead to structural problems with your foundation. They can also cause damage on the fascia, windows, porches, and the landscape surrounding the house. 

What Does Insurance Cover? 

When it comes to the insurance and gutters cost, it is not a black and white answer. 

The short answer is that your homeowner's insurance will usually pay for replacing or repairing your gutters if they are severely damaged by a sudden peril like hail, vandalism, or fire. However, insurance companies typically won’t cover damage that is a result of improper maintenance or other types of damage that happens over time.

Homeowner's insurance usually includes the gutters under the "dwelling" portion of the policy. 

Some examples of damage that insurance will typically cover:

• Windstorm damage. 
• Extensive hail damage.
• Damage caused by a tornado or hurricane. 
• Items falling on the gutters, such as tree limbs. 
• Some fire damage. 

What are Exclusions?

Sometimes the insurance companies will not cover gutter repair or replacement. This is usually due to severe and unpredictable events like a nuclear event, a sinkhole, or a sewer back up. 

Also, insurance companies won't pay for gradual or preventable damage. If you don't properly maintain your gutters through regular cleaning and repair, insurance may not cover damage. 

Improper maintenance may cause : 

• Leaf buildup
• Rodent infestation
• Mold
• Regular wear and tear. 

Insurance will typically not cover damages from these issues. 

What is the Process for Insurance Coverage?

When it comes to homeowners insurance and gutters, filing is not a complicated process, it can just be tedious. 

If you need to file an insurance claim, here are some things to consider.

• If the damage was due to theft or vandalism, call law enforcement.
• Document the damage and any related information as throughly as possible. 
• Call your insurance company and tell them you have a claim to file. It may help to have your policy number available. 
• Make emergency repairs to prevent further damage if necessary. 
• Contact your mortgage lender to notify them that you are filing a claim. 
• Have any necessary information and documentation ready when the insurance adjuster arrives. 
• Hang on to receipts, contracts, and other documents that are relevant  to your claim for any future problems that might arise.

What Happens Next? 

The insurance company will review your claim and make a decision based on all of the factors. Sometimes these decisions take weeks or evens months to approve. 

You may be approved if your claim is within the scope of the policy's coverage. 

You may be denied if the scope of damage is outside of the policy's coverage. You may also be denied if it is found that the damage was caused by improper maintenance. 

If your claim is approved, the insurance check (minus your deductible) may also take weeks or months to be paid. 

What Else Should I Know? 

Get Multiple Quotes

Insurance adjusters will generally do right by their customers, but their allegiance is still to the insurance company, not to you. They will protect the companies best interest before your interests. 

In order to best protect yourself, consider getting an estimate from two or three (or more) licensed and trusted gutter installers and have them ready before the adjuster's inspection.

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Value

The amount that the insurance company will pay for gutter damage will be determined mostly by whether you have actual cash value or replacement cost coverage.

• Actual cash value: the actual value of replacing the gutters minus depreciation. The adjuster will consider things like the age and lifespan of your gutter system. So, if your gutters have a 20-year lifespan and they are 10 years old at the time of damage, the adjuster will reduce your payout by one-half.
• Replacement cost: the cost to replace your gutters at today’s pricing. So, if replacing your gutters cost $3,000, the insurance company will reimburse you for that amount and will not subtract depreciation from your payout.

Give Us a Call

Edge Gutters makes the gutter installation process seamless, just like our gutters.