Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?

Every year, one in 35 insured homes has a wind-related property damage claim, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Fortunately, most standard home insurance policies cover wind damage, including that caused by hurricanes, but there are exceptions.

Homeowners in hurricane-prone areas may find that their home insurance policy excludes damage from wind. Or, in some cases, a policy does cover hurricane damage, but wind claims carry a different deductible. 

Here’s what you should know about hurricane damage and homeowners insurance, including what is and isn’t covered as well as additional coverages to ensure your property is properly protected. 

What type of hurricane damage does home insurance cover?

Standard home insurance policies generally cover damages caused by hurricane winds. This includes coverage for the following: 

• Primary dwelling. Your home’s structure, including the roof, walls, windows, etc., as well as any attached structures, such as a garage. 

• Other structures. Additional structures on your property that aren’t attached to your home’s primary structure. This can include sheds, detached garages, and gazebos. 

• Personal property. The contents inside your home, such as furniture, appliances, and electronics.  

• Additional living expenses. The cost of temporary housing, food, and other necessary expenses if the hurricane makes your home uninhabitable. 

When does homeowners insurance not cover hurricane damage?

Homeowners insurance generally covers hurricane damage, but there are a few instances where it won’t. That’s typically the case in the following situations:

Your insurer excludes wind coverage from your policy. This may be the case if you live in an area at high risk for hurricanes, such as coastal communities. If your homeowners policy does not include wind coverage, ask your insurer about a wind coverage endorsement or a stand-alone wind damage insurance policy. 

The damage is caused by flooding, storm surges, etc., even if those events are a direct result of the hurricane. A standard homeowners insurance policy typically doesn’t cover flooding or water backups. If you live in an area at risk for flooding, consider adding a flood insurance endorsement to your policy or purchasing a stand-alone flood insurance policy. Similarly, you can often add a water backup endorsement to your policy to protect against sewer backups or sump pump failures.

How does home insurance work after a hurricane? 

After a hurricane, you can typically file a claim much like you would after any other loss, as long as your policy covers wind damage. Although the exact claims process may vary by insurer and policy, the steps below provide a practical approach to filing a hurricane claim. 

1. Document the damages. Once the storm has passed and you can safely access your property, take pictures and video of the damage. Write down details, including the date and time the damages occurred and the approximate value of any destroyed belongings. 

2. File a home insurance claim. Generally, you can contact your insurer via phone or by logging into your online portal or the insurer’s mobile app. When you file your claim, you will need to provide information, including your policy number and details about the damage. 

3. Make urgent repairs. If it’s safe to do so, consider making any urgent repairs, such as boarding up windows, removing debris, or placing a tarp over an exposed part of your home. Save receipts for any repairs, as your insurer may reimburse you for those expenses. 

4. Meet with the insurance adjuster or claims specialist. The insurance company will assign an insurance adjuster or claims specialist to handle your claim, evaluate losses, and determine if the damage is covered. If the damage is covered, they will also determine the claim payout. They may speak with you on the phone or visit your property in person. 

5. Get price quotes from contractors. Reach out to a few licensed and certified contractors to get repair quotes. Your insurance company may recommend certain contractors to you, though you can typically choose your own contractor.  

6. Receive your claim settlement and repair your home. If your claim is approved and you accept the settlement, the insurer will pay out the settlement amount. How the claim gets paid depends on the insurer, the type of coverage you have, and where you live, among other factors.

Tip: If the hurricane results in a federal disaster declaration and your insurer denies your claim, request a denial letter. You’ll need to provide this document to FEMA to be eligible for aid. 

Home insurance and hurricane deductibles

A home insurance deductible is the amount of money your insurance company will subtract from a claim payout, representing your minimum out-of-pocket expenses after a claim.

Deductible options vary by insurer, policy, and even state. They can be a flat dollar amount, such as $1,000 or $5,000, or a percentage of your dwelling coverage, such as 1% or 5%.

If you live in an area with a high risk of hurricanes, your policy may have a separate deductible for hurricane-related claims. A hurricane deductible may be triggered by specific events, such as: 

• The National Hurricane Center or the National Weather Service officially declares a hurricane 

• There are hurricane warnings, hurricane conditions, or a hurricane makes landfall 

• Other events as defined by your policy

States with hurricane deductibles

Home insurance policies in 19 states and Washington, DC, include hurricane deductibles, and each state has specific rules regarding when a hurricane deductible is triggered. The states that have hurricane deductibles are: 

• Alabama

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Florida

• Georgia

• Hawaii

• Louisiana

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Mississippi

• New Jersey

• New York

• North Carolina

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• South Carolina 

• Texas

• Virginia

• Washington, DC 

Do I need a separate windstorm coverage policy? 

If your homeowners insurance policy does not include windstorm coverage, you may want to consider purchasing a separate policy or adding a windstorm coverage endorsement to your existing homeowners policy. 

There are no legal mandates that require homeowners to carry windstorm coverage, but if you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to carry it until you pay off the loan. 

Further, while standard home insurance policies usually cover wind damage, some insurance companies exclude it for homes in coastal areas at high risk for storms. If your insurer excludes wind damage from coverage, your property is likely at a higher risk for wind-related damage. 

Many insurers offer windstorm coverage, but depending on where you live and your claims history, it may be challenging to find coverage. If that’s the case, consider your state’s Fair Access Insurance Requirements (FAIR) plan. 

Additional coverage that can help after a hurricane

Other types of coverage can help after a hurricane hits, including: 

• Flood insurance. In some areas, mortgages backed by the federal government require flood insurance, or your lender could require it. While many homeowners buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, you can also look for coverage from a private insurer. 

• Water backup insurance. Adding a water backup coverage endorsement to your policy will help you get covered if water ever backs up into your home or overflows from a sump pump. 

• Ordinance or law coverage. Home insurance policies don’t always cover the cost of bringing your damaged property up to current local ordinances or building codes. If your policy doesn’t include ordinance or law coverage, adding an endorsement can help you ensure your home is brought up to code after a hurricane.