Hurricane insurance in Mississippi

People in the Magnolia State understand just how much damage a hurricane can do to a home. A named storm can bring:

• Gale-force winds.

• Heavy rainfall.

• Flooding.

• Storm surge.

• Tornadoes.

• Sewer backup.

As a homeowner, you need to know that your assets are protected should a hurricane blow through your town. Let’s take a look at how hurricane insurance in Mississippi works so you know if you’re covered.

What is Mississippi hurricane insurance? 

Hurricane insurance is not a separate insurance policy that covers hurricane damage in Mississippi. Instead, hurricane coverage comes part and parcel in your homeowners insurance.

Even though hurricane insurance comes standard coverage in home insurance, it doesn’t cover all the possible kinds of damage that a named storm can cause. Most policies protect you against wind damage. However, damage from storm surge and other hurricane-related flooding is generally excluded.

Coverage for wind damage

Standard homeowners insurance in Mississippi usually covers windstorm damage directly caused by wind or hail. This is often done through hurricane deductibles. A hurricane deductible is separate from your standard deductible and is usually a percentage of your home’s insured value.

Here’s how that works: Your hurricane deductible applies only when a designated event has damaged your home. So if your home is insured for $250,000 and you have a 2% hurricane deductible, you pay the first $6,250 to repair covered damage before your insurance kicks in. Damage caused by a peril other than hurricane winds goes under your standard deductible.

The policies available through Kin had the following hurricane deductible options:

• 1%.

• 2%

• 3%

• 4%

• 5%

• 10%.

Note: Our carrier parnters offer Mississippi homeowners a unique policy called House & Property insurance. This new type of home insurance is designed to be incredibly customizable to fit how you use your home. It, like standard home insurance, covers hurricane wind damage. You can select either a flat-rate deductible or one that is a percentage of your Coverage A limits. 

Commonly covered 

• Your dwelling

• Other structures on your property (e.g., your shed)

• Your personal belongings (e.g., your clothing)

• Temporary relocation costs if the covered hurricane wind damage makes your home uninhabitable

• Additional essentials, such as food, water, and gas, while temporarily relocated

• Kin offers a hurricane screened enclosure endorsement that can be added for covered wind damage to screened enclosures, aluminum‐framed carports, or awnings. This protection is usually available in increments of $5,000, up to a $50,000 maximum.

Usually excluded

• Storm surge damage that accompanies hurricanes

While coverage for wind damage is common, you may still want to check if your policy has a windstorm exclusion. If windstorm damage is excluded, you may be able to get coverage through the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association, otherwise known as the "wind pool." 

Or you can check with us. Policies available through Kin cover wind damage. Give us a call at 855-717-0022 or enter your address now for a quote.

How much is hurricane insurance in Mississippi?

Hurricane coverage is not separate from your home insurance, so your insurance premium includes this protection. But the risk of hurricanes is one of the reasons that home insurance may be more expensive in certain areas of Mississippi.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, Mississippi has the 6th most expensive homeowners insurance in the nation. The average cost of home insurance in the state is $1,674 per year.

Besides the risk for windstorms and hurricanes, your Mississippi home insurance premium is also dependent on a host of other factors, including your home’s:

• Construction material.

• Age, size, and shape.

• Roof shape.

How to save on your home insurance

You may be able to reduce your homeowners premium by hardening your home and making it more resilient to certain perils. In particular, windstorm mitigation goes a long way towards lowering your costs. You may be eligible for a home insurance discount in Mississippi through the state's wind mitigation program.

Key questions about Mississippi hurricane insurance

Living on the Gulf Coast means hurricane coverage is absolutely essential. Here are a few more answers to important questions so you can be sure you have the right coverage for your situation.

Does hurricane insurance cover flood damage?

Your Mississippi homeowners insurance probably doesn't cover damage to your home and property when it’s caused by floods – including flooding caused by hurricanes. Instead, you can get private flood insurance or flood insurance offered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federal program created by Congress in 1968 to help homeowners protect themselves from the financial devastation of floods. 

Do I need hurricane insurance in Mississippi? 

Fortunately, hurricane insurance isn't something you should have to purchase separately. Your standard Mississippi homeowners insurance policy likely covers hurricane wind damage, often with a separate wind/hurricane deductible.

More importantly, you want to make sure you have the appropriate coverage for your home long before the storm hits. If you wait until a storm has been named or reaches a similar coverage trigger, you'll likely be subject to an insurance moratorium. A moratorium is an official hold on issuing new policies or changing coverage for existing policies in response to an already approaching storm.

Important! Mississippi insurance companies typically don’t accept new homeowners insurance applications after a designated hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico or the area located in the boundaries of 80 degrees West longitude by 20 degrees North latitude. 

Since hurricanes are part of life in Mississippi, hurricane insurance is almost always worth it if you want to protect your home. 

Mississippi hurricane facts

• Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30

• Mississippi is the 9th most hurricane-prone state in the country

• Mississippi has experienced several major hurricanes, including:

  • Hurricane Barry, 2019: $600 million in damages

  • Hurricane Nate, 2017:  $787 million in damages

  • Hurricane Katrina, 2005: $125 billion in damages

  • Hurricane Georges, 1998: $13.9 billion in damages

  • Hurricane Camille, 1969: $950 million in damages 

^{Sources: Policygenius. Which U.S. state experiences the most hurricanes?. May 24, 2023.} 

^{Clarion Ledger. With Hurricane Sally crawling toward the Gulf Coast, here are the strongest storms to hit Mississippi. Sept. 9, 2020.}

Are you prepared for Mississippi hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so it’s always time to think about storm preparedness. Here are some tips to help you review your home insurance before a dangerous, unpredictable storm hits.

Before the storm

• Check your homeowners policy to make sure it contains windstorm coverage.

• Consider adding flood insurance if you haven’t already.

• Review the coverage limits on your home and valuables to ensure they are fully covered.

• Determine whether your policy will pay replacement cost or actual cash value in the event of a loss.

• Find out whether your policy will pay for additional living expenses to cover the cost of hotels and meals should your home become uninhabitable.

• Record and update an inventory of all personal belongings. Make photos and, if possible, a videotape showing your possessions. Record your insurance policy information.

After the storm

• Report any damage to your home or property to your insurance company or agent as soon as possible. Keep track of the unique reference number for your claim that your insurance company will issue to you.

• Make sure that the adjuster assigned to you is properly licensed. Ask to see their identification.

• Make emergency repairs to your home as required by your policy. Be careful of structural damage, escaping gas, or fallen wires.

• Hire only licensed and reputable contractors for repair work.

^{Source: Mississippi Insurance Department, Hurricane Insurance Checklist.}

Waiting until the storm is approaching is too late to prepare for a hurricane. Be sure you have the right coverage now so you’re ready. Call us for a quote or enter your address today.