Replacing your home’s exterior can be a costly endeavor. If you’re considering replacing the gutters on your house, you may wonder if homeowner’s insurance will cover all or part of the cost. And to help you out, the roof repair experts at ABM Services & Renovations discuss what homeowner’s insurance covers and how to file a claim for reimbursement for your damaged gutters.
Definition of Homeowners Insurance
Homeowner’s insurance is a type of property and casualty insurance that helps cover the cost of damages to your home and personal belongings. Most homeowners’ policies will provide coverage for roof replacement, siding replacement and sometimes gutter replacements caused by weather-related events, such as hail or wind storms. In addition to these major exterior components, some policies also provide reimbursement for replacing windows or doors damaged from natural disasters, such as floods or tornadoes.
Depending on the policy and insurer, coverage may also include personal liability protection in case you are sued by someone injured while on your property or if you are responsible for damage to another person’s property.
Factors That May Affect Coverage
Several factors may affect whether your homeowner’s policy provides coverage for the gutter repair or replacement. Much like your roofing system, these factors can include:
- Age of Home – Older homes tend to be more susceptible to water infiltration through aging gutters, so some insurers may require you to replace your gutters before covering repairs resulting from water damage claims on older homes (over 10-15 years).
- Location – The climate where you live can impact what kind of gutter systems work best (e.g., snowfall vs. rainfall will have different levels of impact).
- Weather Conditions – Damage caused by extreme weather events like hurricanes would likely be covered under most policies.
- Causes of Damage – Some insurers may also not cover damage resulting from improper installation or poor maintenance, so if you are replacing existing gutters, make sure to inspect them thoroughly before the start of the project and repair/replace any parts that need it before proceeding to file a claim.
How to File a Claim
When filing a claim for exterior replacement, you must provide the insurance company with as much detail about the damage as possible. Include photos of the damaged area and any documentation that proves how much was spent on repairs or replacements. It is also important to be aware of any deadlines set by your policy when filing a claim, so you don’t miss out on potential reimbursement.
Once you have gathered the necessary information and documentation, contact your insurer to file a claim. Be prepared to answer any questions about the damage or repair costs so that your claim can be processed quickly and efficiently. If coverage is approved, the insurance company will reimburse you for a portion or all of the repairs made, depending on the above mentioned factors.
Let ABM Services & Renovations assist you in gutter replacement services in McDonough, GA. We are a full-service exterior renovation company specializing in gutter replacement and repair. Contact us at (770) 288-2368 for a free consultation today! You can also fill out our convenient online form to get started.