Windstorm insurance is a common type of coverage that can help you rebuild or repair your home after hurricanes, tornados, hail, and other windstorm events. It’s often included in a standard homeowners insurance policy. However, you may need to purchase a separate policy if you live in a high-risk area, such as a coastal community.
Here’s what to know about windstorm insurance, including what’s covered and how to purchase a policy.
What does windstorm insurance cover?
Windstorm insurance, also known as hurricane insurance, typically covers the cost of repairs or replacements after a variety of wind-related weather events, such as:
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Hurricanes
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Tornados
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Straight-line winds
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Hailstorms
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Microbursts
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Derechos (long-lasting, damaging thunderstorms)
Your policy can help you cover the cost of rebuilding, repairing, or replacing property damaged by a covered event, or peril. This can include repairs to your roof, siding, windows, gutters, and HVAC systems.
Windstorm insurance can also help you pay to replace or repair personal property, such as furniture, appliances, or electronics, that are damaged by a covered weather event.
What isn’t covered by windstorm insurance?
Windstorm insurance generally does not cover the following:
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Storm surge and flood damage, even if caused by a covered wind-related event
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Water damage that doesn’t directly result from the hurricane, tornado, etc.
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Damage caused by delayed repairs, such as mold and mildew
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Damage to your vehicle
Windstorm coverage details vary by insurer, policy, and even where you live. Always check your policy to determine what, if any, additional exclusions apply.
Tip: If you live in an area where flooding commonly accompanies windstorms, you may need flood insurance. It’s often required if you have a mortgage and live in a designated flood zone. Search the FEMA Flood Map by address to determine if your home is in a high-risk zone.
Do you need windstorm insurance?
According to the most recent data from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), wind and hail damage is the leading cause of property insurance claims. As such, most homeowners should have windstorm insurance.
Windstorm insurance is essential if you live along the coast or in the Midwest, where hurricanes, tornados, and other extreme storms are often a greater risk. Further, if you live in a high-risk area and have a mortgage, your lender may require you to carry windstorm coverage.
Many homeowners insurance policies include windstorm insurance, but that’s not always the case. If you live in a high-risk area, your policy may exclude coverage for windstorm damage. If that’s the case, you’ll need to purchase a stand-alone windstorm or hurricane insurance policy.
How much does windstorm insurance cost?
The cost of your windstorm insurance depends on several variables, including:
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Location of your property
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Home’s age and value
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Desired coverage amount
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Any existing mitigation measures, like installing hurricane shutters
If your home insurance policy includes windstorm insurance, you’ll likely pay a single premium that depends on an array of factors, not just those listed above.
In addition, many home insurance policies have a separate deductible for windstorm damage claims. A deductible is the amount your insurer will subtract from a claim payout. Depending on your policy, your deductible may be a flat amount, such as $500, or a percentage of your dwelling coverage, such as 1%, 2%, or 5%.
How much windstorm coverage do you need?
You should carry enough insurance to rebuild your home after a covered loss. Ideally, your policy should cover the replacement cost value of your home, which can help you rebuild based on the current price of labor and materials.
If your policy includes actual cash value coverage, your claim payout will be based on your home’s value minus depreciation. As such, it may be more difficult to rebuild or repair your property to its former state based on today’s material and labor costs.
If you have actual value coverage, contact your insurer to discuss how you can enhance your policy to cover your home's full replacement cost value.
How to purchase windstorm insurance
Follow these steps to ensure you get the best windstorm coverage for your property.
Check your existing homeowners insurance policy
Before purchasing a separate policy, determine what windstorm coverage is available through your standard homeowners insurance policy. In many cases, wind damage is covered.
Discuss coverage options with your insurer
Even if your policy doesn’t include windstorm coverage, you may be able to add an endorsement or purchase a stand-alone policy from your existing insurer.
Shop around for coverage
As with any type of insurance, it’s best to shop around for coverage to find a policy that meets your needs and fits your budget. Try to get quotes from at least three insurers, including your existing insurer, if they offer coverage. As you collect quotes, ensure each one is for the same amount of coverage and includes similar deductible amounts.
Depending on where you live, it may be challenging to find coverage through a private insurer. If so, you may need to consider a policy through a state-run insurance program, such as those offered through Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plans, available in several states, including Alabama, California, and Florida.
Review and purchase a policy
After collecting quotes, review the insurer and policies, ensuring you understand key policy details, like the policy limit, what is (and isn’t) covered, and your claim deductible.
Also, note any waiting periods, especially if you’re purchasing a policy before an upcoming storm. Waiting periods delay coverage for a specific period, often by 30 days. Purchasing windstorm coverage well before a storm is on its way is always a good idea.
How to file a windstorm insurance claim
Follow these best practices to get the most out of your windstorm insurance claim.
Document the damage. Record the date and type of weather event and take photos and/or videos of the damage. The more details you collect about the damage to your home, the better.
File the claim quickly. Every insurance policy has a time limit for filing a claim after a weather event. The faster you file, the more quickly your claim can be processed. Once the claim is filed, an adjuster may assess the damage, or you may be asked to submit visual records of the issue. To ensure the process runs smoothly, provide documentation and any required information as quickly as possible.
Mitigate short-term issues. It’s your responsibility to prevent as much future damage as possible, proceeding only when it’s safe to do so. Mitigation efforts can include placing a tarp over a hole in the roof, paying to remove a tree, or boarding up a broken window. Keep track of any receipts that show related costs. You may be able to seek reimbursement for those expenses as part of your claim.
Take notes and follow up with your insurer. As you move through the claims and repair process, take notes. This can help you keep track of your claim and any conversations or interactions with your insurer, contractors, and other relevant parties.