Gutters divert water away from your home, protecting it from mold, rot and premature deterioration. Routine maintenance and cleaning will help keep your gutter system in good condition. However, it may still sustain damage from extreme weather events.
Storm damage restoration is generally covered by homeowners insurance. But to be sure, it’s best to ask your insurance agent or review your insurance policy.
In this post, Genesis Roofing discusses when your homeowners insurance can cover damaged gutters.
What Does Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover?
Policy inclusions and exclusions vary depending on the insurance company. Homeowners insurance typically covers damage caused by a storm. To ensure that your insurance company does not deny your claim, you must maintain your gutters regularly. You must also be prompt when it comes to performing gutter or roof leak repair.
Moreover, if you live in an area that receives a significant amount of rain per year, you should perform more frequent maintenance because your gutters are more prone to clogging. You can use a small shovel to remove debris, then flush out the remaining dirt using your garden hose.
What Is Not Covered by Your Policy?
Even if you have an all-risk policy, you should know that your insurance may still not cover all types of damage that occurs to your home. Look for the specified exclusions in your contract so you’ll know what isn’t covered by your insurance. Most policies, for example, do not cover damage caused by earthquakes, floods or acts of war. Insurance also does not cover problems caused by aging and neglect.
If your insurance company notices that you have neglected your gutters, they may refuse to pay for the damage. Regular maintenance will extend the life of your gutters, keep them in good condition and protect your home from water damage. You are responsible for replacing your gutters if they have suffered extensive damage due to age.
If you think you need a residential roof replacement following a storm, look no further than Genesis Roofing! Call us at (515) 202-1667 or fill out our contact form to request a quote.