Does Home Insurance Cover Gutters?
Home insurance usually covers gutters if they’re damaged by sudden, accidental events like storms or falling debris — but not if the damage is due to neglect, clogs, or normal wear. Although gutters are part of your house and covered by homeowner’s insurance, you shouldn’t expect your insurance company to pay for faulty gutters or gutter-related home damage.
When gutter damage occurs, homeowners are often surprised by what isn’t covered by their insurance. Let’s take a closer look at how home insurance relates to gutter repair, what costs are often covered, how to file an insurance claim, identify insurance coverage gaps, and how to avoid preventable damage.
Understanding Perils in Your Insurance Policy
Perils are hazards and events that are considered a source of damage or loss, and your coverage depends on what your policy lists as “covered perils.” These are also referred to as risks and will be mentioned in your homeowners’ insurance policy under Property Coverages or Perils Insured Against. Often, you’ll find gutters listed where you find information about roof coverage in your policy. You must carefully read over your insurance policy to determine if your policy covers broken gutters. If your gutters break due to a peril that is not covered, you will have to pay out of pocket to fix them.
| Commonly Covered Perils | Not Typically Covered Perils |
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Examples of Covered Scenarios
- If a tree branch breaks during a thunderstorm and lands in your gutter, pulling it away from the home and damaging it, most policies will cover fixing it.
- If your roof catches fire and it spreads to your gutters, rendering them unusable, most policies will cover replacing them.
- If a blizzard suddenly drops 10 inches of snow, causing your gutters to bend and crack, your insurance policy should cover the cost of gutter replacement or repair, depending on the damage.
How to File an Insurance Claim for Gutters
- Safely inspect any damage to both your gutters and your roof, as well as any water damage that may have occurred inside due to the gutter damage. This will give you a better understanding of what to tell your insurance company.
- Photograph any damage you see.
- Make any emergency repairs to prevent further damage until the adjuster inspects. Do not make permanent repairs, as this can complicate claims. Keep diligent records of what temporary repairs are done.
- Look over your policy. Be sure you understand what will and will not be covered when you file your claim. Check for “covered perils” as well as “exclusions” relating to water damage and damage to exterior structures.
- Contact your insurance agent or claims department. Let them know what happened, the amount of damage, and send them photos.
- Keep your receipts and any repair or replacement contracts organized in case issues come up with your insurance claim or reimbursement.
Preventive Gutter Maintenance: Protect Coverage and Your Home
It’s important to understand that although your home insurance policy may cover broken gutters, it does not pay to maintain your gutters. You are responsible for caring for your gutters to ensure they don’t clog with leaves, shingle grit, rodents, and other debris. If you file a claim for faulty gutters due to neglect, your insurer may refuse it if you have not made an effort to maintain them. Some signs of gutter neglect include plants growing inside the gutters ( which can indicate moisture-laden gutters and potential mold or mildew) or sagging gutters due to clogs or broken fasteners.
To avoid unnecessary gutter damage and claim denials, here are some simple gutter maintenance tips to consider:
- Installing gutter guards to help prevent debris buildup or clogs
- Inspect and clean out your gutters twice yearly (spring and fall)
- Remove clogs right away
Handy homeowner tip: Document maintenance as it is done and keep receipts for insurance proof that your system is well taken care of.
Flood & Water Damage is Not Covered by Home Insurance
Most home insurance policies do not cover flood or water damage, such as mold remediation or basement seepage, that clogged gutters may cause. Therefore, you should clean out your gutters regularly or invest in a high-quality gutter guard, such as LeafFilter, to help prevent the basement flooding and water damage that often arises from clogged gutters unable to divert water away from your house correctly.
The Hidden Costs of Poor Gutter Care
Poorly maintained gutters can lead to a wide variety of home damages other than flooding and water damage that may not all be covered by home insurance. These include issues such as landscape erosion, roof leaks, and even siding rot. By making it a priority to maintain your gutters through routine gutter cleaning or a one-time investment of professionally installed gutter guards, you can better avoid home damage and the costly out-of-pocket expenses that may come with it.
Prevention is Best
To enjoy the peace of mind and money savings that come with clog-free gutters, you owe it to yourself to invest in LeafFilter. Our micro-mesh gutter guard system helps prevent damage before it starts — meaning less time cleaning, fewer repair bills, and a lower risk of insurance claims being denied due to neglect. With a one-time gutter guard installation, you gain long-term protection and safeguard your home from costly water damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover gutter damage?
Yes, gutters are typically considered part of coverage, but neglect, poor maintenance, and wear and tear are not covered. Instead, covered perils would include issues like wind, hail, or fire damage, which are covered by homeowners’ insurance. Generally, these kinds of unexpected accidents involving gutters are covered. Other issues, such as broken or leaking gutters due to neglect, are not.
Does insurance cover water damage from clogged gutters?
No, damage caused by clogged gutters is not covered by insurance. Maintaining the gutter system and removing clogs is considered the responsibility of the homeowner and is therefore a preventable issue.
How can I prove I maintained my gutters for an insurance claim?
The best way to demonstrate that your gutters are well-maintained is to document any maintenance performed on them, as well as the receipts for any materials purchased for their upkeep. That way, if you need to file an insurance claim, you can show that you’ve done your due diligence to maintain them.
What kind of water damage is not covered by insurance?
Water damage caused by flooding, groundwater seepage, sewer or drain backups, and neglected gutters is not covered by general homeowners’ insurance. This does not account for additional flood insurance, which some providers offer as supplemental property insurance.
Can gutter guards help with insurance claims?
Gutter guards don’t directly change how insurance claims are handled, but they can help you avoid denials tied to neglect. Since most policies exclude damage from clogged or poorly maintained gutters, installing guards lowers the risk of clogs and overflow. This demonstrates preventive care, which can make your case stronger if you ever need to file a claim.
