Natural disasters can leave behind a trail of damage. Fortunately, in many cases, homeowners insurance can help you cover the cost to rebuild. However, what’s covered typically depends on your insurance policy, where you live, and the type of natural disaster that occurred.
Standard home insurance policies typically include protection against sudden and accidental events, such as lightning, wildfires, windstorms, and hail. Still, policies generally don’t cover damage caused by floods or earthquakes, and depending on where you live, other natural disasters, such as hurricanes, may be excluded from your policy.
Below, we break down which natural disasters are commonly covered, which aren't, and what steps you can take to protect your home from weather events and natural catastrophes.
What natural disasters are covered by home insurance?
Though every policy is different, a standard home insurance policy generally will cover the following losses, up to your policy limits and minus any deductibles.
Windstorms and hail
According to the most recent Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) data, wind and hail damage are the leading cause of home insurance property damage claims, accounting for 40% of all losses.
Generally, home insurance covers damage caused by thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes, and your policy can help you cover the cost of repairs or replacements to both the structure of your home, other structures on your property, and your personal belongings. However, that’s not always the case. In high-risk areas, such as coastal communities, wind and hurricane damage may be excluded from or limited by the policy.
Tip: If you live in a high-risk area, discuss coverage options with your insurer. You can usually add a hurricane endorsement to your policy or purchase a stand-alone hurricane insurance policy.
Lightening strikes
Lightning strikes can cause fire damage or power surges that damage your home's electrical systems or appliances. Generally, home insurance covers both structural repairs, such as rebuilding after a fire, as well as damage to personal property affected by the event, including appliances and furniture.
Wildfires
Damage from wildfires is usually covered under a standard policy. This includes smoke and fire-related damage to your home, other structures (e.g., detached garages, sheds, etc.), and your belongings.
Ice, snow, and winter storms
Damage from heavy snow loads, ice dams, or freezing temperatures is typically covered under standard insurance policies. However, insurers may deny claims if it’s clear no efforts were taken to prevent the loss. For instance, if you live in a location prone to freezing during the winter but don’t run your heat during a winter storm, your policy may not cover a burst pipe.
What natural disasters are not covered?
Though home insurance often covers natural disaster damage, there are a few types of disasters commonly excluded from coverage.
Flooding
Flooding damage is not covered under standard home insurance. You’ll need to add a flood coverage endorsement to your policy, if offered by your insurer, or purchase a separate flood insurance policy.
Further, even if your home insurance policy covers hurricanes, it won’t cover damage caused by hurricane-related flooding, such as storm surges — unless you have flood insurance.
You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurance company. Coverage will generally provide financial protection if your home is damaged by:
-
Storm surges
-
Flash flooding
-
Instances of heavy rain that may cause basement or first-floor flooding
Is your home at risk of flooding? Understanding FEMA flood zones
Earthquakes and sinkholes
Earthquakes and ground movements are excluded from most home insurance policies. Likewise, sinkholes are also frequently excluded from coverage, though coverage details will vary by insurer and state.
If your home insurance excludes or limits coverage for earthquakes or sinkholes, evaluate your risks and consider adding an endorsement or purchasing a stand-alone policy.
Optional coverage for natural disasters
To better protect your home from natural disasters, consider the following policies and/or endorsements:
-
Flood insurance helps to cover the cost of losses after storm surges, rising waters, and heavy rainfalls.
-
Earthquake insurance, which can help you pay for repairs after seismic activity.
-
Water backup coverage protects against costly water damage due to sewer backups or sump pump failures.
State-by-state differences in natural disaster coverage
Homeowners in disaster-prone states may face unique insurance challenges. Here’s how coverage varies:
-
Florida. Windstorm and hurricane deductibles are separate. Flood insurance is essential due to storm surge risk.
-
California. Wildfire risk is high, but earthquake insurance is a separate and highly recommended coverage.
-
Texas and Louisiana. Flooding is a common concern, making flood insurance nearly essential.
-
Midwest/Tornado Alley. Wind and hail are often covered, but you may need higher limits or a specific deductible.
Always review your state’s guidelines and talk to your insurer about local risks.
What to do if your home is in a high-risk area
If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, the following steps can help you purchase enough coverage and reduce risk:
Review your coverage
Review your home insurance policy to understand what is and isn’t covered. It’s also wise to note your policy limits and deductibles to make sure you have enough coverage and are prepared to meet your deductible obligations after a claim.
Be on the lookout for any exclusions, limits, or separate deductibles for natural disaster events, such as hurricanes or windstorms.
Add riders or endorsements
If you discover a coverage gap, contact your insurer about adding an insurance rider or endorsement to your policy. These can enhance your coverage to protect against earthquakes, floods, windstorms, and other events without the need to purchase a separate policy.
Harden your home against natural disasters
There are several updates you can make to your home that can reduce the risk of damage and home insurance claims. For instance, adding storm-proof windows or reinforcing your roof can harden your home against hurricanes. Likewise, adding a sump pump and backflow valves can reduce the risk of water damage after a storm surge.
Making these changes can also qualify you for a lower premium, as many companies extend home insurance discounts if your home has specific features that can mitigate the risk of damage and future claims.
How can you reduce natural disaster damage? Home hardening tips
How to file a natural disaster claim
If disaster strikes, follow these steps to start your home insurance claim:
-
Document the damage. Take photos and videos of all affected areas and items.
-
Notify your insurer promptly. File your claim as soon as possible. Delays can complicate payouts.
-
Prevent further damage. Board up broken windows or tarp damaged roofs if safe to do so. This can prevent further damage and more costly repairs.
-
Meet with the adjuster or claims specialist. They’ll typically inspect your home to assess the damage and estimate repairs.
-
Review the settlement offer. Your insurer will issue a settlement offer, or your claims payout. If you have a question about the settlement, contact your insurer. Keep in mind that property damage and personal property claims typically have a deductible.
-
Begin repairs. Once approved, you can begin repairs using your preferred contractor or one recommended by the insurer.
Common misconceptions about natural disaster coverage
As you review the relationship between your home insurance policy and natural disasters, it’s wise to keep these misconceptions in mind.
Myth 1: I’m covered for all disasters
Unfortunately, no single policy covers all natural disasters. Most homeowners need a combination of standard coverage and specialized policies or endorsements, such as flood insurance, to be fully protected.
Myth 2: Flooding from a storm is covered
Even if your policy covers damage from hurricanes and severe storms, it won’t cover related flooding, such as a storm surge that follows a hurricane. You must have a flood insurance endorsement or policy to cover the cost of repairing, rebuilding, or replacing items after any flooding.
Myth 3: My insurance policy covers market value
Most policies insure your dwelling, or the structure of your home, at replacement cost, or how much it costs to rebuild your home if it’s destroyed after an event. That can be substantially more than the market value of your home.
Periodically review coverage and speak to your insurer to ensure that your dwelling coverage limits reflect the cost to rebuild your home based on current labor and material costs, not how much you paid for your house or would sell it for in today’s market.
Myth 4: Home insurance covers the full cost to replace damaged personal property
Most insurance policies offer actual cash value coverage for personal belongings, meaning your claims payout for personal property will reflect the depreciated value of the damaged item(s).
If you want more coverage for personal property, contact your insurer to discuss your options, which may include a replacement cost coverage endorsement or the option to schedule high-value property, like jewelry and collectibles.
