Home insurance may offer some financial compensation to you if you have gutter damage. The only time this applies, though, is if something happens to the gutters that is accidental or unavoidable. If your gutters are in poor shape, you might have no coverage. If this is the case, it may be time to contact your Augustine Insurance Group agent to learn more about your coverage options.
Why Gutters Matter
Your home's gutters help move water from the roof, such as from rain or melting snow, down into the drains and away from the home. Without gutters, that water would flow over the sides, down the siding into the foundation. Sometimes it can also create erosion, exposing more of the home's foundation than is safe. Sometimes situations can even cause water leaks in your basement. Most of the time, home insurance does not cover this type of basement damage.
When Will Home Insurance Cover Gutter Damage?
Most insurance policies will provide coverage for an accidental or unavoidable loss. When it comes to gutters, this may include instances such as:
- Wind Damage
- Storm-related Damage
- Fire-related Damage
- Hail Damage (if it is significant)
- Vandalism
If the gutters fall off your home due to a storm, there is really no way for you to have eliminated this risk — assuming the gutters were in good condition at the time of the incident. Therefore, you will likely have coverage.
When Home Insurance Does Not Provide Coverage
There are other instances in which there is no available coverage — even when you have an all-risk policy. If the gutter falls off your home because it rusted through, there is no coverage. Any instances in which the gutters have damage due to poor maintenance and upkeep will not lead to a qualifying claim. Additionally, it is the homeowner's responsibility to maintain the gutters. If that does not happen, and poor maintenance causes the damage, the insurance policy does not provide coverage.
Because the gutters are an important part of your home, it is essential to maintain them. As noted, if your gutters do not work and water gets into the basement, your home insurance policy may not cover the damage to your basement or belongings. Routine maintenance and upkeep are a must in ensuring this does not happen.
If you have damage right now, contact your Augustine Insurance Group agent. Ask about getting home insurance coverage for this type of loss. After an inspection and estimate, your agent can provide more insight into your options for filing an insurance claim.
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