Like many homeowners, you normally won’t think much about your gutters besides the occasional cleaning and maintenance. They’re the least of your priorities as long as they effectively capture water runoff and channel them toward the downspouts.
However, they can sometimes suffer great damage during severe weather. If you have homeowners insurance, you might be wondering whether it can cover the cost of repairing them. This, however, will primarily depend on your policy and the extent of gutter damage. Local roof replacement specialist STARR Roofing & Gutters explains what you need to know.
Understanding Your Policy
Most types of homeowners insurance can either be “all-risk” or have a named-peril policy. If yours is an all-risk policy, only certain types of damage can be excluded. But if it’s a named-peril policy, it works the opposite way wherein it only provides coverage from specific types of damage and nothing more. For instance, your named-peril policy will typically include theft, vandalism, ice damage, lightning, fire, and hail. You won’t likely be covered if your gutters were damaged by something that isn’t included in your policy.
Exclusions in an All-Risk Insurance Policy
An all-risk policy usually means gutter and roof repair are covered. But keep in mind that some policies can specifically exempt some of their causes. These exclusions can vary for each policy, but they often include a lack of maintenance and failure due to old age. They can also include floods, deterioration, earthquakes, and even acts of war.
Other Common Exclusions
- Natural wear and tear. Your insurance policy won’t likely provide gutter coverage if it has a wear-and-tear exclusion. It’s important to be aware of when they were installed before you make a claim. You should also look for signs of wear and tear early on such as corrosion and address them as soon as possible.
- Negligence. Your policy also won’t provide coverage if the insurance agent checks your gutter damage and determines that it’s caused by negligence. Let’s say you have been aware that a nearby tree may fall on your roof and gutters at any time. But if you didn’t make arrangements to cut it down, it becomes a valid excuse for the insurer to not provide coverage.
You’ll feel much better about your gutter repairs if you leave it to an experienced professional such as STARR Roofing & Gutters! As a trusted name in residential and commercial roofing, we always get the job done efficiently and professionally. Call us today at (512) 736-6539 to schedule a free estimate. You can also fill out our online contact form!