Storms may occur at any moment, and homeowners are left with damaged houses and with a huge expense in house repairs. It could be a strong thunderstorm, a hurricane, or even a snowstorm; the question many homeowners ask themselves is the same: Does my home insurance cover storm damage?
In this paper, we will discuss the kinds of storm damage most home insurance policies in the U.S. cover, what they may not cover, and how you can be certain that your home is well covered.
What Is Home Insurance?
Home insurance, also known as homeowner’s insurance, is a policy that safeguards your home and all household items against all sorts of damage caused by fire, theft, and some forms of weather damage. It will also cover your liability in case a person is injured on your premises.
In the U.S., many common policies are the so-called HO-3 policies that encompass an extensive list of perils unless they are specifically excluded.
Storm Damage: Does Home Insurance Pay?
Yes, in general, but the coverage varies according to the type of the storm and the policy taken.
We can divide it by categories of storm damage:
Wind Damage
Usually Covered
Most typical homeowner’s insurance policies cover wind damage as a result of a thunderstorm, tornado, or hurricane.
This Can Include:
- Roof damage from high winds
- Siding blown off
- Broken windows
- Trees crashing on your house (structural damages are generally covered; acts of cutting down the tree may not be covered)
Note: In the coastal regions, the windstorm deductibles or exclusions may be separate because of the extreme danger of hurricanes.
Hail Damage
Usually Covered
Hail can be very destructive to roofs, siding, and windows. Hail damage is insured in most home insurance coverage. Nevertheless, the claims associated with hail are sometimes refuted particularly when the insurance company feels that the damage was caused by wear and tear or neglect.
Pro tip: Take pictures of your roof and exterior frequently so that there is a record in case of any future claims.
Lightning Strikes
Usually Covered
Your Homeowner’s Policy Will Normally Cover:
- Fire damage
- Damage of electrical appliances or electricity wiring
- Damage by lightning (was it due to a lightning surge or not)
Lightning is a common covered peril in virtually all home insurance policies.
Rain Damage
Usually Covered
There is no insurance of rain damage unless it gets into your house directly due to a covered peril.
For Example:
- Covered rain enters in via a roof that has been broken by wind or hail
- Not Included: Rain leaks through a rundown roof or blocked gutters
- Flooding rainfall is not included in regular home insurance
Flooding
Non-Standard Homeowner’s Insurance
Damage due to floods, either due to heavy rains or the increase of river levels or due to storm surge, is not included in most standard homeowner’s policies.
This Includes:
- Basement flooding
- Water damage occurring due to flooding bodies of water
- Storm surge from hurricanes
You must have a separate policy either via the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or an individual flood insurance company.
Snow and Ice Damage
Usually Covered
Home Insurance Would Generally Cover Damage Occasioned By:
- The burden of snow or ice on your roof
- Ice dams that lead to water stagnating into your house
It will not pay claims related to carelessness or incompetence, like the inability to remove snow or keep gutters clean.
Hurricane Damage
Relying on Your Policy and Whereabouts
Hurricanes are normally associated with various factors like wind, rain, and flooding. The wind damage caused by hurricanes is mostly covered by most policies, but
- Insurers might demand hurricane or windstorm coverage, or individual hurricane or windstorm coverage in the coastal states such as Florida, Texas, or the Carolinas.
- Hurricane storm surge flooding is not included with flood insurance.
What’s Usually Not Covered?
Despite the fact that a large number of storm-related damages are covered by home insurance, there are some exceptions.
Common Exclusions Include:
- Flood damage
- Movement of earth (such as mudslides or earthquakes)
- Negligence or maintenance loss damage
- Sewer or drain backup (unless you have a special rider)
Optional Coverages to Consider
As a supplement to the basic coverages that protect your home in the event of storm damage, you may purchase optional coverage shown below:
Flood Insurance
This is necessary when you are residing in an area that is prone to floods, which is covered by NFIP or by private insurers.
Sewer Backup Coverage
Coverage does not include if it’s due to a backed-up sewer line or drain which may occur during heavy rainstorms.
Windstorm or Hurricane Endorsements
These may be necessary in certain places, particularly along the seashore.
Roof Replacement Cost Insurance
Pays the entire amount of money to replace your roof instead of depreciated amount.
What to Do After a Storm Damages Your Home
If you have damage to your home by a storm, take the following steps:
- Ensure Safety: Ensure that people are safe and not in the dangerous places.
- Avoid Further Destruction: Tarp a roof, turn off electrical power where necessary, and seal any leakages where possible.
- Record It All: Capture pictures and videos of the destruction.
- Time is of the Essence: Immediately get in touch with your insurance company.
- Hire a Licensed Contractor: Obtain estimates and do not storm chase.
Storm Season Preparation Tips
- Review your insurance policy every year.
- Prepare a list of household treasures.
- Install storm shutters and save your roof.
- Clean drains and gutters.
- Store valuable documents in a container that is not vulnerable to water.
- Buy a power outage generator.