What are gutter covers, and does insurance ever pay for them?
The main types
- Screens. Perforated metal or plastic panels. Inexpensive and easy, but small debris and pine needles get stuck in the openings.
- Micro mesh. A fine stainless mesh over a frame. Blocks pine needles and shingle grit well; the surface needs an occasional brushing.
- Reverse curve or surface tension hoods. Solid covers that let water follow a curved lip into the gutter while leaves slide off. Heavy downpours can overshoot them.
- Foam and brush inserts. Sit inside the gutter. Cheap, but they trap debris and break down in sun.
Under Georgia pines and oaks, micro mesh tends to perform best, but no cover is maintenance free. Georgia Roof Guide compares sizes and guards in gutters, sizing and guards.
How covers affect the roof
Clogged gutters overflow behind the fascia, rot the roof edge and drip edge, and in rare North Georgia freezes can contribute to ice buildup at the eaves. Covers reduce that risk. Some hooded designs slide under the first course of shingles; installers should follow the shingle manufacturer's rules so they do not void a warranty or lift shingles.
When insurance pays
Insurance does not pay to add covers as an upgrade. If you already have them and hail dents the mesh or frames, or a limb crushes a run, they are part of the dwelling and belong in the claim along with the gutters. Adjusters also use dented gutters and covers as collateral evidence of hail size. See what adjusters look for.