Will insurance pay for gutters, and how do you get insurance to pay for new gutters?
Short answer. Insurance usually pays for gutters damaged by a covered event such as hail, wind or a falling limb, but not for gutters that sag, rust or overflow because of age or clogs. To get them paid, photograph the damage, make sure the adjuster inspects them, and check that the estimate includes gutter and downspout lines.
Covered and not covered
- Usually covered: hail dents in gutters and downspouts, sections torn loose by wind, gutters crushed by a falling tree or limb.
- Usually not covered: sagging from clogged debris, rusted seams, loose hangers from age, overflow because the gutters are undersized or never cleaned.
How to get gutters on the claim
- Photograph dents on gutters and downspouts. Hail dents on soft aluminum are easiest to see in low angle light, and a chalk outline makes them show up in photos.
- Include the gutters when you report the claim, not as an afterthought.
- Point them out to the adjuster in person.
- Check the estimate for gutter and downspout lines, usually priced per linear foot, and for the miters, end caps and guards if you have them.
Gutters during a roof replacement
Even undamaged gutters may need to be detached and reset to replace drip edge properly. That labor should be on the estimate. If the gutters are dented, replacement is usually written instead.
Why dented gutters matter to the roof
Dents in gutters and downspouts are one of the clearest signs of hail size at your house. Adjusters use them to judge whether the hail was large enough to damage shingles, so photograph them even if you do not care about the gutters themselves. See the after a hail storm checklist and what roof adjusters look for.