After a hard St. Louis storm, it is common to look up and see bent, torn, or detached gutters. The next question most homeowners ask is simple: will insurance pay for this? The short answer is that it depends on what caused the damage.
When gutters are usually covered
Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover gutters under the dwelling or “other structures” portion of the policy, but only when the damage comes from a covered peril. In St. Louis, the most common covered causes are:
- High winds from a severe thunderstorm
- Hail impact
- A falling tree limb or branch
- Ice dam buildup that pulls a gutter loose
If a storm event caused the damage, your policy will likely help pay for repair or replacement, minus your deductible.
When gutters usually are not covered
Insurance is built to cover sudden, accidental damage, not gradual wear. Claims are typically denied when the damage is due to:
- Age and rust that developed over many years
- Sagging caused by clogged gutters that were never cleaned
- Loose fasteners or minor wear that was never repaired
If an adjuster determines the damage resulted from lack of maintenance rather than a storm event, the claim is likely to be denied. This is one more reason routine gutter maintenance matters, both for your home and for your ability to file a clean claim later.
What to do if you think you have a claim
- Take clear photos of the damage as soon as it is safe to do so, including wide shots of the roofline and close-ups of bent sections or separated seams.
- Note the date of the storm and any local weather reports confirming wind or hail in your area.
- Contact your insurance company to start the claims process before making permanent repairs.
- Get a professional inspection and written estimate. Adjusters respond well to documentation from a licensed local contractor who can point to the exact cause of the damage.
It also helps to know your deductible before you file. As the Insurance Information Institute explains, your deductible is subtracted directly from the claim payment, so a $500 deductible on a $2,000 repair means a payout of $1,500. Knowing that number helps you decide whether filing makes sense for smaller repairs.
How GutterPros can help
Our team inspects storm-damaged gutters across the St. Louis metro every year and knows what adjusters look for. If your gutters were bent, pulled away from the fascia, or cracked in a recent storm, our gutter repair team can provide a written estimate for your claim and walk you through what the repair or replacement will involve.
Do not wait until the next heavy rain to find out your gutters cannot keep up. Call GutterPros for a free inspection and let us help you sort out what a repair will cost and whether your policy is likely to help cover it.