Standard home insurance typically covers wind damage to the structure of your home and your personal belongings. Coverage can vary by policy, location, and insurance company, though. If you live in a high-risk coastal area, you may need to purchase a separate policy to be protected against windstorm damage.
What does homeowners insurance cover for wind damage?
A homeowners policy is made up of several coverage types, each covering a different part of your property. A bad windstorm can damage more than one of those parts at once, so more than one coverage type may apply. A typical homeowners policy may cover wind damage under:
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Dwelling coverage (Coverage A): Generally covers direct wind damage to the home’s structure, including the roof, siding, walls, windows, and attached structures, such as a garage.
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Other structures coverage (Coverage B): Covers detached structures, such as decks, sheds, fences, barns, and detached garages, when they’re damaged by a covered wind event.
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Personal property (Coverage C): Provides coverage to your belongings, such as clothes, furniture, and appliances, that are damaged by wind or rain that enters an opening the wind causes.
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Loss of use (Coverage D): If covered wind damage makes your home unlivable during repairs, this coverage helps pay certain additional living expenses, such as temporary housing and increased meal costs.
A note on fallen trees: If wind knocks a tree into a covered structure, your home policy will typically cover the resulting damage to the structure. Coverage for removing the fallen tree itself can depend on the circumstances and policy terms.
What qualifies as wind damage?
Wind damage is generally considered a loss that occurs as a result of wind during a storm, like a tornado, hurricane, or thunderstorm.
Direct wind force damage occurs when wind directly causes physical damage to your home or property. For example, wind may tear shingles from your roof, break a window, loosen or remove siding, damage your fence, or cause part of a structure to lift or collapse.
If direct wind force results in secondary damage, such as water damage through a wind-created opening in your roof or window, homeowners insurance will typically cover the resulting interior damage. This may involve things like repairing drywall, extracting water, or replacing furniture.
Note: Flooding and storm surge (or rising water) are treated differently than wind. Standard home insurance generally doesn’t cover flood damage, even if the flooding happens during the same storm that caused the wind damage.
When wind damage might not be covered
Your home insurance may not cover every type of wind-related damage. Here are some common exceptions.
Wind damage exclusions in high-risk areas
An exclusion is a specific cause of loss — or peril — that your policy doesn't cover. Insurers add exclusions when a risk is severe or common enough in a given area that covering it as a standard, built-in feature would make the policy too expensive or unpredictable to price reliably.
In parts of the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, hurricane risk is significant and consistent enough that many insurers exclude wind damage from standard policies altogether, selling it separately instead. (This is sometimes called an "ex-wind" policy.) This lets homeowners in lower-risk parts of the same state keep affordable coverage, while wind risk in the highest-risk areas is priced and sold on its own.
Normal wear and tear, poor maintenance, or a pre-existing problem
If your roof was in disrepair before the storm, your insurer may not cover resulting damage. Issues could include missing shingles, exposed nail heads, or improper sealing. Insurance coverage is meant for sudden, accidental damage, not gradual deterioration. In the event of a wind claim, an adjuster will typically inspect the roof and surrounding property to determine whether the damage matches the storm's timeline or reflects longer-term wear. Keeping records of routine maintenance and past repairs can help support your claim if there's a dispute over the cause of the damage.
Flooding, no matter the cause
Water can enter your home during a storm in several ways — storm surge, flash flooding, an overflowing river or drainage system, or rising groundwater after heavy rain. Regardless of how it happens, or whether it occurs during the same storm that caused wind damage, standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage.
To be protected, you'll need flood insurance. Some insurers offer a flood endorsement — optional coverage you can add directly to your existing homeowners policy for an upcharge. Otherwise, you can purchase a standalone flood policy from a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program.
How to find out if your policy covers wind damage
Check your declarations page (usually the first few pages of your policy documents or available through your account on your insurer's online portal) and your policy's exclusions section for any language specifically addressing wind, hurricane, or windstorm coverage. If it's unclear, ask your insurance company directly whether wind damage is included in your standard coverage or excluded.
Where to get coverage if your policy excludes wind damage
If your policy excludes wind, you're not necessarily out of options. You may be able to add coverage back through an endorsement, purchase a standalone windstorm insurance policy, or, in some high-risk states, turn to a state-run wind pool as a last resort. Learn more about how to get windstorm coverage in this guide.
Understanding your wind damage deductible
Your deductible is the amount you agree to pay toward covered damage before insurance kicks in.
Your policy may use a different, higher deductible for wind, hail, or hurricanes than it does for other claims. In some areas, your hurricane or windstorm deductible is actually a percentage of your home’s insured value (formally called your dwelling coverage policy limit) instead of a set dollar amount. The percentage amount varies, but it’s typically between 1% and 5%.
For example, suppose your home has $400,000 in dwelling coverage, and your policy has a 2% wind deductible. That means you’d pay the first $8,000 (400,000 x 0.20) of a covered wind damage insurance claim before your insurer steps in.
Like traditional flat-dollar deductibles, higher percentage deductibles can help lower your home insurance premium, meaning the amount you pay for coverage. Just remember, having a higher deductible also means you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you file a wind claim.
Check your declarations page for the deductibles that apply to wind claims on your property.
How to file a wind damage claim
Each insurance company has its own claims process. However, in general, these are the most common steps to file your insurance claim:
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Protect your property from further damage. Take reasonable temporary measures, such as covering a broken window or roof opening, if it’s safe to do so. Don’t throw anything away until the insurance company has had the opportunity to review it.
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Take photos and videos. Document the damage before you begin cleanup or repairs, if possible. Photograph the affected areas, items, and surrounding property.
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Note what happened. Record what you observe about the damage, and whether it involves wind, water, or both. This can affect which coverages and deductibles apply.
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Contact your insurance company. Tell your insurer what happened. Provide all relevant information you have and as much detail as possible to ensure a smooth claims process.
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Save and submit your receipts. Keep receipts for emergency repairs, temporary fixes, replacement items, and additional living expenses related to the loss. Your insurer will likely use these to help process your claim.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim wind damage to my siding on my homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance typically covers wind damage to your siding, but your insurer may consider the age and condition of your siding when evaluating your claim. Normal wear and tear isn’t the same as sudden and accidental damage caused by a covered windstorm.
What are some major events that are not covered under homeowners insurance?
Flooding and earthquake damage are two major causes of loss that are generally excluded by standard homeowners insurance. To be covered, you'll need flood insurance or earthquake insurance. Some insurers offer these coverage types as an optional policy add-on, called an endorsement. If your current company doesn't, you can purchase a separate flood or earthquake policy from a private insurer, or, for flood coverage specifically, through the National Flood Insurance Program, a federal program available in participating communities.
What should you know before reporting wind damage to your insurer?
It’s helpful to understand your insurance policy, including coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions related to wind damage, when reporting the loss to your insurer. Be aware that withholding or misrepresenting information can put your claim in jeopardy, so be as transparent and accurate as possible. If you’re unsure of the cause of loss or the repair cost, wait for a professional assessment and don’t guess.
