How much do gutter covers cost, and does insurance pay for them?
What drives the price
- Type. Plastic or metal screens and foam or brush inserts are the cheapest. Reverse-curve hoods and stainless micro-mesh cost more.
- Length. Guards are priced by the linear foot, so a two-story house with long runs and many corners costs more.
- Installation. Professional installs include fastening to the gutter and sometimes cleaning and resealing the gutters first.
- Gutter condition. Sagging or undersized gutters may need to be replaced before guards go on.
Get two or three written quotes priced per foot so you can compare like for like.
When insurance is involved
If hail dents your gutters and the guards on them, both can be part of a storm claim. Adjusters may price the guards as their own line item or include detaching and resetting them when gutters are replaced. Photograph the guards before the adjuster visits, because they are easy to overlook.
Georgia leaf country
North Georgia pines and oaks drop needles and leaves most of the year. Pine needles can slip through coarse screens, so fine micro-mesh tends to work better under pines. No guard is maintenance-free; plan to brush debris off now and then.
A caution on installation
Guards that slide under the first course of shingles can lift the shingle edge and disturb its seal if installed carelessly. Ask exactly how the guard attaches before you buy.
Related: after a hail storm checklist, what roof adjusters look for, and the Georgia Roof Guide on gutter sizing and guards.