Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Gutter Repairs?

Gutters are exposed to the same conditions as roofs, but the latter often get the lion’s share of insurance claims. As gutter contractors, the question of whether gutters are covered by homeowners’ insurance is often brought up. In today’s post, The Badger Company shares insight on the conditions that determine whether gutter repairs are covered by homeowners’ insurance.

Policies and Exclusions

Homeowners’ insurance policies generally fall into two categories: named-peril and open-peril. Named-peril policies cover losses caused by perils that are specified in the policy, which typically includes hail and storm damage. In comparison, open-peril policies list exclusions or the things that aren’t covered.

What does this mean for your gutters? To determine whether your gutters qualify for coverage, you should determine your policy type, then check its list of perils. On named-peril policies, gutters should be among the named perils; on open-peril policies, the gutters would not qualify for coverage if listed as an exclusion.

Deductibles

As with most other types of insurance, it’s important to understand the role of deductibles — that is, the amount of money that the policyholder is responsible toward an insured loss; it’s the amount deducted from the approved claim amount. Deductibles are closely related to the homeowners’ monthly premiums. Generally, higher deductibles mean lower premiums, while higher premiums can command lower deductibles.

Some policies may have a separate clause on perils that involve natural disasters. Standard policies typically cover wind, hail and storms, while coverage for flooding and earthquakes may have to be purchased separately. Some insurance providers may have specific rules depending on the risk the area is exposed to. For example, properties located in coastal areas may have additional deductibles for claims involving hurricane damage.

We recommend reviewing your homeowners’ insurance policy sooner rather than later. Knowing what kind of coverage you have can help you save time, as well as make quick and informed decisions when filing a claim for gutter repairs.

Need a reliable gutter repair contractor? The Badger Company is here to help. Give us a call at (608) 850-6282, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.