Hurricanes don't just cause one type of damage — they can cause several at once. And a standard Mississippi home insurance policy doesn't cover them all. To be covered, you’ll need to add flood insurance to your home policy through an endorsement or purchase a separate policy through a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program.
Depending on where you live, wind damage may be excluded, too. Check your policy to confirm it doesn't include a windstorm exclusion — some coastal policies do. If yours does, you can get windstorm insurance through a private insurer or the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association.
What hurricane insurance in Mississippi actually covers
Despite the name, Mississippi hurricane insurance isn't a single policy focused on one weather event. Full hurricane protection typically means combining your standard home policy, flood insurance, and possibly a separate windstorm policy, each covering a different piece of the damage a storm can leave behind.
For most homeowners, wind coverage comes built into their standard homeowners policy. If yours excludes it, you can add it through an endorsement — an add-on that expands your existing policy's coverage — or purchase a separate wind-only policy. Coastal homeowners who can't find wind coverage on the private market may qualify through the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association (MWUA), the state’s insurer of last resort for wind and hail.
Flooding is always handled separately. You can purchase flood insurance as an endorsement or a separate policy through certain private insurers or as a standalone policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Private flood insurance may offer higher coverage limits and broader protection than an NFIP policy, depending on the insurer.
Here's a quick look at how the different types of hurricane damage are typically covered.
|
Type of hurricane damage |
Typically covered by |
|
Wind damage to roof or siding |
Standard home insurance policy or windstorm coverage |
|
Wind-driven debris damage |
Standard home insurance policy or windstorm coverage |
|
Rain entering through a storm-created opening |
Standard home insurance policy or windstorm coverage |
|
Storm surge flooding |
Flood insurance |
|
Rising water from heavy rainfall |
Flood insurance |
Hurricane deductibles in Mississippi
Many Mississippi insurance policies in wind-prone areas include a separate hurricane or wind/hail deductible. This deductible is the portion of damage you agree to cover out of pocket in the event of an approved claim for wind or hail damage. Unlike a standard deductible, which is usually a fixed dollar amount, wind/hail deductibles are typically a percentage (often 1% to 5%) of your policy’s dwelling coverage limit — the maximum amount your insurer would pay to rebuild your home.
For example, if your dwelling coverage limit is $250,000 and your hurricane deductible is 2%, your hurricane deductible in Mississippi would be $5,000.
Do you need flood insurance too?
In many cases, yes. Wind coverage and standard policies do not pay for damage caused by storm surge, overflowing waterways, or rising flood water. To financially protect from those risks, you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy through a private insurer or the NFIP.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps identify high-risk flood zones throughout Mississippi, particularly in southern coastal counties. If your home is in one of these areas, your mortgage lender will likely require flood insurance.
Don’t wait until a storm is forecast to purchase flood coverage. NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage kicks in. Waiting periods for private flood insurance vary, but can be as short as 10 days.
How much does hurricane insurance cost in Mississippi?
The average cost of homeowners insurance* in Mississippi is $1,916 per year for a Kin policy with $350,000 in dwelling coverage. The median cost of flood insurance in Mississippi is $801 per year for an NFIP policy.
How much you’ll pay for hurricane insurance in Mississippi depends on several factors. Homeowners here pay some of the highest insurance rates in the country because of the state’s exposure to hurricanes, tropical storms, and wind damage.
Factors that can affect the cost of hurricane insurance in Mississippi include:
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Whether your home is located on the Gulf Coast or farther inland
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Your home’s age, construction type, and condition
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The age and material of your roof
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Your dwelling coverage limit (the maximum amount your policy will pay for damage to the structure of your home)
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The deductible you select
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Your claims history
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And more
If wind coverage is unavailable to you through the private market and your home is in an eligible coastal county, you may obtain coverage through the MWUA. Because it is an insurer of last resort, coverage may cost more than comparable private market options.
How to prevent hurricane damage in Mississippi
While no home is completely hurricane-proof, taking preventative steps may reduce losses and even qualify you for insurance discounts.
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Maintain your roof: Replace damaged shingles and address any minor roof problems before they become larger. Assess your roof for any damage before hurricane season begins.
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Protect doors and windows: Storm shutters, impact-resistant windows, and reinforced doors can help prevent wind and debris from entering your home.
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Secure outdoor items: Patio furniture, grills, flowerpots, and other loose objects can become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Move them indoors or secure them before a storm.
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Trim trees and remove weak branches: Regular pruning can reduce the risk of falling limbs damaging your home or car.
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Strengthen vulnerable parts of your home: Reinforced garage doors, roof tie-downs, and other home-hardening improvements can help your home withstand severe weather.
How to prepare your coverage before hurricane season
Before hurricane season begins, take a few moments to review your insurance coverage and identify any potential gaps.
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Review your declarations page: Your declarations page can confirm whether wind and hail coverage is included or excluded. Note the amount of any named-storm or windstorm deductible.
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Check your flood coverage: If your home is in or near a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area, make sure flood insurance is in place.
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Verify your dwelling coverage limit: This part of your policy should be based on the cost to rebuild your home, not what you paid for it or its market value. Also note whether your policy pays the full cost to repair or replace damaged property, or whether it factors in depreciation first (replacement cost vs. actual cash value coverage). The latter will result in a lower payout.
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Create a home inventory: Photograph or videotape your belongings and keep records of major purchases to make the claims process easier. Store your home inventory at a second location or electronically in the cloud in case your home is a total loss.
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Review your home’s storm readiness: Consider home-hardening improvements such as roof upgrades, reinforced doors, and storm shutters to help reduce hurricane damage.
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Don’t wait to buy flood insurance: Most NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, although waiting times for private insurance can be shorter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage in Mississippi?
It depends on your policy and location. While many homeowners policies cover some wind damage, coverage may be excluded in coastal areas, requiring separate wind protection. Flood damage from storm surge, rising waters, or inland flooding is not covered by standard policies, so you’ll need a flood insurance policy. If you’re relying on Mississippi homeowners insurance for hurricanes, review the summary of each policy — called your declarations page — to uncover any coverage gaps.
What is the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association?
The MWUA is the state’s insurer of last resort for wind and hail coverage in eligible coastal counties. It helps homeowners obtain wind protection when the coverage isn’t available through the private market. MWUA policies cover only wind and hail damage; they do not protect against flooding, storm surge, or other flood-related losses. Separate flood insurance is required for those risks.
Is hurricane insurance required in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi law does not require homeowners to carry hurricane insurance. However, if you have a mortgage and live in a higher-risk area, your lender may require wind coverage, flood insurance, or both as a condition of the loan. Even if coverage isn’t required, it may be worth considering because of Mississippi’s weather risks.
How much does windstorm insurance cost in Mississippi?
The cost of windstorm insurance varies widely depending on your location, your home’s characteristics, your coverage limits, and more. In general, homeowners along the Gulf Coast pay more for wind coverage than those farther inland. If coverage is obtained through the MWUA, rates are set by the state and may be higher than comparable private-market rates. The best way to determine your costs is to ask for a personalized quote.
What's the difference between hurricane and windstorm insurance?
Windstorm insurance is a specific type of coverage that protects against damage caused by high winds and hail. Mississippi wind and hail insurance may be provided through a homeowners policy, a separate windstorm policy, or an MWUA policy.
Hurricane insurance, on the other hand, generally refers not to a single standalone policy, but to the combination of coverages that a homeowner obtains to protect against hurricane-related losses. Depending on where you live, that may include a standard homeowners policy, separate windstorm coverage, and flood insurance.
