Will My Homeowners Insurance Pay for Gutter Damage?

A homeowners insurance can cover the components attached to your roof, including your seamless gutter system. However, there are specific instances where insurers can reject your claims for gutter damage.

In this post, Deschutes Roofing discusses when your homeowners insurance won’t cover gutter damage.

Wear and Tear on Roofs and Rain Gutters

All gutter systems fall apart and fail as they age, and homeowners insurance policies typically have wear-and-tear exclusion. That said, if the damage is due to the gutter’s age, your insurance won’t cover the repair or replacement costs. It helps to know the installation date of your gutters and check whether they are suffering from normal wear before submitting a claim.

Lack of Rain Gutter Maintenance

If your gutters were damaged because they didn’t receive regular maintenance, your insurer will indicate it as homeowner negligence and reject your claim. Make sure to include your gutters during roofing repairs and maintenance, so you can show proof your gutters were properly taken care of.

Damage to Your Home Roof

Problematic gutters that occur due to negligence or normal wear can lead to damage to the house. If the neglected gutters damage your siding or any part of your home, your insurance provider will likely deny your claim. Here are some examples of gutter negligence resulting in damage to the home’s exterior or interior:

• Loose Gutters. Standing water that has been in your gutters for an extended period can cause the fasteners to loosen. Your gutters could pull away from your house, causing damage to the exterior.
• Ice Dams. Water that doesn’t drain properly during winter will cause ice dams to form on your roof.
• Small Animal Damage. A buildup of debris, leaves, and twigs can attract small animals to make their nests in your gutters. Once they dig in, they can damage your gutter system and house.

Deschutes Roofing installs seamless gutters and roofing systems

With our expertise, we can deliver superior workmanship. To schedule a consultation, fill out our contact form or call us at (541) 241-5720 (Bend), (503) 967-9590 (Portland), (541) 246-6860 (Eugene), (503) 468-7663 (Lake Oswego) or (503) 928-8750 (Beaverton).