Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

Homeowners insurance covers:

Homeowners insurance can cover damage to the buildings on your property caused by:

• High winds
• Fallen trees
• Lightning

If you have a renters or condo policy and aren’t responsible for damage to the building, don’t worry. If a storm causes an opening in a roof or wall, your policy would also cover your belongings if rain damages them, as long as you’ve made a reasonable effort to protect them.

Some regions may have different requirements for what an insurance policy will or won’t cover. For example, if you live along the coast, your insurance company may not cover wind damage. Read your policy closely for those details.

Homeowners insurance does not cover:

Homeowners insurance does not cover damage to your property caused by:

• Flood
• Surface water
• Waves, tidal water, or storm surges

Flood protection requires a separate policy. If you own property located near a large body of water, you should consider purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Hurricane deductibles

Covered losses under homeowners policies may be subject to different deductibles depending on the location and cause of loss. For example, the deductible for damage caused by wind/hail or for hurricane losses may differ from the deductible for losses caused by other covered perils.

If your policy has a hurricane deductible, you can find it on your Declarations Page. The hurricane deductible is typically 3% to 5% of your Dwelling or Other Structures coverage limit, whichever is greater. The exact percentage usually depends on the location of the home.

Triggers for applying hurricane deductibles vary by state and insurer. An insurance company might apply a hurricane deductible based on the classification of the storm, wind speeds, or time in which the damage occurred.

Prevent damage before it happens

Your best bet for protecting your home from hurricane damage is to prepare before the storm hits.

• Trim or remove damaged trees.

• Secure and reinforce windows, exterior doors, and garage doors.

• Clear and secure rain gutters.

• Purchase a portable generator. Store it away from moisture and at least 20 feet away from your house. Never run a portable generator inside.

Learn more about steps you can take to prepare for hurricane season.