Gutters and their downspouts play a significant role in deflecting water away from your property and preventing moisture damage. However, many homeowners don’t think about their gutters until they stop working. In the worst-case scenario, your gutters can separate from the house and become damaged. Replacements can be costly, but because they are part of your house, your gutters can be covered by homeowner’s insurance.
However, this doesn’t guarantee your insurer will pay for the damage when you file a claim. To learn more, Shine Construction Inc., a top gutter and siding contractor, explains whether your home insurance covers damaged gutters.
Your homeowner’s insurance protects you against “named perils” or against “all risks.” In most cases, insurance policies are “all-risk” because mortgage lenders want your house protected from damage as much as possible. An all-risk policy covers damage to your house and its contents unless it specifically says a particular type of damage is excluded.
Meanwhile, a named-peril policy protects you against a list of specific damage but nothing else. The named perils usually include lighting, hail, vandalism and the weight of ice, among other things. So, if you have a named-peril policy and your gutter damage isn’t on the list, your insurance will not cover gutter repair or replacement.
However, all-risk policies don’t cover everything, despite their name. All-risks coverage pays off when it comes to wind damage, falling objects or fire, but most policies exclude claims due to flooding or earthquake damage. This means that gutters or window replacement can be covered by your homeowner’s insurance if they were damaged due to a strong windstorm. If they were damaged because of a flood, on the other hand, your insurance will not pay for them. Even so, you can purchase separate flood insurance to cover your home in case of flooding.
If your insurer finds that your gutters were damaged because of the lack of maintenance, the company may not have to pay for repairs or replacements. If there’s a tree that is about to fall on your roof and you don’t cut it down, your insurance company may also see you as negligent and have a valid excuse for not paying the damage. As such, the cost of new gutters is your responsibility.
Inspecting and cleaning your gutters and downspouts not only ensures their long-term functionality but also protects your home from the damaging effects of water damage, including rot, pest infestation, mold growth and foundation problems. Make sure to schedule regular gutter inspections so experts can fix any minor damage before it gets worse.
Shine Construction Inc. offers professional gutter installation, inspection and cleaning services for New England customers. Instead of risking your own safety by climbing up on the roof to care for your gutters, let our expertly trained team get the job done right. Count on us for your other exterior home improvement needs, including siding replacement and roof installation. Call us today at (508) 278-3300, or fill out our online contact form to get a free quote.
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