When fire, lightning, hail, and other accidental causes damage your gutters, your homeowners insurance is your financial safety net. However, if you’re not taking care of your gutters, your home insurance won’t take care of you.
If your gutters are damaged due to causes stated in your policy, you’ll shoulder the initial repair costs before your insurance handles the rest. This guide will cover what you can expect from your home insurance if your gutters get damaged.
Types of Homeowners Insurance
There are 8 types of homeowners insurance policies, ranging from basic to comprehensive coverage to specialized policies for rentals, condo units, or older, historic homes. To determine if your homeowners insurance covers gutters, check if gutter damage is included in the open peril or named peril coverage.
These perils are risks covered by your home insurance if damage is caused by the circumstances listed in the policy. Your home insurance policy will greatly affect whether your gutter damage is covered by insurance. Here are the primary types of policies to look out for:
Open Peril Policy
This is an “all-risk” type of policy. Rather than listing specific perils to be included in coverage, it includes exclusions that cannot be changed. Damage from gutter issues is usually not excluded in open-peril policies, though it is wise to check with your provider.
Open peril policies usually cover gutter damage caused by fire, lightning, vandalism, hail, windstorms, etc., unless stated otherwise. These are commonly included in open peril policies:
- Fire or lightning
- Windstorm or hail
- Freezing
- Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
- Explosion
- Riot or civil commotion
- Vehicles
- Smoke
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Falling objects
- Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam
- Sudden and accidental damage caused by built-in appliances
- Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current
- Volcanic eruption
Named-Peril Policy
As the name suggests, this policy covers losses caused by perils specified in the policy. The most common perils are fire, vandalism, hail, windstorms, and lightning strikes. If the cause of the gutter damage isn’t a specifically listed peril, it’s not covered. These are the commonly named perils:
- Fire or lightning
- Windstorm or hail
- Explosion
- Riot or civil commotion
- Aircraft
- Vehicles
- Smoke
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Falling objects
What Gutter Damage is Typically Covered
Homeowners insurance policies usually cover “sudden and accidental” damage caused by a covered peril, such as fallen trees, wind, or hailstorms. For example, repair work will likely be covered if a large branch falls on your gutters. Even if it isn’t your tree, your insurance company may go after your neighbor’s policy for reimbursement.
The same goes for hailstones and windstorms. Insurance will likely cover the repair or replacement costs if your gutters are battered by large chunks of hail or torn loose by strong winds. The amount of coverage varies per policy, so check the policy limits before filing a claim.
Common Exclusions and Limitations
When considering your insurance coverage, it’s important to understand the common exclusions and how they could affect your claim should something go wrong. These exclusions and limitations may determine whether the cause of the gutter damage will be covered.
- Wear and Tear: Damage from wear and tear, such as corrosion of gutter frames and general aging over time, is usually not covered by your insurance.
- Negligence: Damages caused by improper gutter maintenance aren’t covered by homeowners insurance. For example, water damage to your home’s foundation due to a lack of gutter maintenance is considered negligence. Regular gutter cleaning prevents clogs that can cause other issues in your home.
- Disasters: Water damage from flooding, earthquakes, mold, and acts of war is not typically covered by homeowners insurance policies. If you live in an area prone to such disasters, consider purchasing a separate policy for increased coverage.
Deductibles and Financial Considerations
Deductibles are the initial costs you will shoulder before the insurance company covers the remaining costs. A homeowners insurance policy with higher deductibles lowers the premiums you have to pay, so choosing the amount of deductibles depends on your budget.
Most insurance companies offer deductibles, so it’s important to know how your policy’s deductibles work when filing a claim.
- Standard deductible: A standard deductible is determined upon purchasing your homeowners insurance and is paid out-of-pocket, regardless of the cost of the damages. This amount often ranges from $500 to $2,000, with some policies going as high as $5,000.
- Percentage deductible: A percentage deductible is a 1 to 10% cost based on your home’s insured value. If your home’s insured value is $350,000 and your policy includes a 1% deductible, you’ll pay $3,500 when filing a claim for gutter damage. This deductible normally covers claims related to wind, hail, or hurricanes.
- Disaster deductible: This is typically based on your home’s insured value and the common natural disasters in your area, such as earthquakes and floods. However, earthquakes and flooding may require separate insurance policies for your home and other structures, like garages.
How to File an Insurance Claim for Gutter Damage
Gutter insurance coverage can be a tricky subject. Before you file a claim, check your policy and talk to your insurance provider. Knowing the limits of your coverage will save you a lot of stress in the long run.
“Filing an insurance claim can often be a lengthy process, as it must pass through several departments before approval,” says Enalt Korca, a professional roofing contractor from All Elite Construction, which provides roof inspections.
According to Korca, contacting a qualified contractor increases your chances of a successful insurance claim for damaged gutters. “To improve the likelihood of a successful and timely outcome, homeowners should contact a qualified contractor [who is] experienced in insurance and storm damage claims.”
“The contractor should inspect the property thoroughly, mark all areas affected by hail or storm damage, and document everything with detailed photos and notes,” he says.
Additionally, the contractor provides clear evidence and documentation for your claim. “Proper documentation helps support the claim, providing clear evidence for the insurance adjuster and allowing the insurance company to reach a decision more efficiently,” Korca explains.
If the gutter repair costs are less than your policy’s deductible, you may opt not to file for a claim.
Claim-filing Checklist
- If the gutter damage is caused by theft or vandalism, file a police report.
- Contact your insurance provider immediately after damage occurs and inform them of your intent to file a claim.
- Collect as much information about the gutter damage, including photos and videos, before doing any repairs.
- If necessary, conduct emergency repairs to prevent additional damage. Hold on to the receipts for the repairs while waiting for the insurance adjuster to inspect the damage for your claim.
- Get estimates from contractors to get a better idea of the repair costs.
- If applicable, inform your mortgage lender that you are filing a home insurance claim.
- Once the adjuster completes the home inspection, they will estimate the amount your insurance will cover for the repairs. If necessary, use the estimates from the contractors you previously contacted to negotiate.
- Follow the payment structure of your home insurance policy, which usually requires an upfront payment of half of the costs during a specified time period. The remaining half should be paid when the repairs are completed.
- Don’t forget to pay your deductible before your insurance provider pays your claim. If you don’t, the claim may be denied. Keep the receipts and related documents in case any issues arise.
FAQs
No, having gutters won’t affect your insurance premium, although they are a valuable investment to protect your home. They can save you money in the long run by preventing erosion and water damage to the foundation, siding, and trim.
Yes, you can repair gutter damage immediately to prevent additional problems. But before you start, take pictures and videos of the damage and keep track of receipts and other documents while waiting for the claim approval from your insurance company.
| Meet the Expert: Enalt Korca is a professional roofing contractor with over 25 years of experience. At All Elite Construction, he uses his expertise to educate their customers about long-term and high-quality gutter, roofing, and siding solutions. Korca and the All Elite Construction team proudly serve homeowners in New Jersey, including Newark, Jersey City, and the surrounding areas. All Elite Construction is a family-owned company that is fully licensed and insured. |
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Main Image: A house with severe roof and gutter damage with the overlay text “Insured? Or Uninsured?”. Photo Credit: Tada Images / Adobe Stock, Text Overlay using Canva Pro.
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