Will insurance cover new gutters?
Short answer. Insurance covers new gutters when a covered event damaged the old ones, such as hail denting them, wind tearing them loose or a limb crushing a run. It does not pay to replace gutters that are old, rusted, sagging from clogging or simply undersized, and it pays for like kind replacements rather than upgrades.
When gutters are covered
- Hail dents. Visible dents along the gutter face and downspouts after a hailstorm. Adjusters also use these dents to judge hail size for the roof claim.
- Wind. Runs pulled away from the fascia or twisted.
- Falling trees and limbs. Crushed sections and bent hangers.
- Weight of ice. Rare in North Georgia, but heavy ice can tear gutters down.
When they are not
- Sagging from years of clogged leaves and pine needles
- Rust, leaking seams and failed sealant
- Fascia rot behind the gutter from overflow
- Gutters that are simply too small for the roof
Like kind and quality
If your damaged gutters were 5 inch aluminum, the claim pays for 5 inch aluminum. Upgrading to 6 inch or adding guards is an out of pocket choice. Some adjusters pay to replace only the dented sides; if the replacement will not match the profile or color on the rest of the house, ask about uniform appearance and point to the specific runs that cannot match. See matching.
Do not let gutters get missed
Gutters are often left off a roof estimate or written only for a section. Photograph every run and downspout after a storm, and include gutter guards and screens if you have them. See the after a hailstorm checklist. Robust Roofing handles gutters together with the roof so both are on the same claim.