Insurance companies don’t offer standalone tornado insurance. Standard Oklahoma homeowners insurance typically covers tornado damage as part of the wind coverage portion of the policy. If you own a home in Oklahoma, having sufficient insurance is crucial. The state sits at the bullseye of Tornado Alley and is one of the most tornado-prone states in the country.
How does Oklahoma home insurance cover tornado damage?
Under a standard Oklahoma homeowners policy, wind is a covered peril, meaning a damage-causing event that your insurance will cover. A standard policy actually bundles several types of coverage together automatically, each protecting a different part of your property or finances.
When a tornado causes damage, up to four of these coverage types can kick in at once, depending on what's affected:
-
Dwelling coverage: Pays to repair or rebuild your home's structure after a tornado
-
Other structures coverage: Covers detached structures on your property, like garages, sheds, and pool houses
-
Personal property coverage: Helps replace damaged personal belongings, such as furniture and clothing
-
Loss of use coverage: Sometimes called additional living expenses coverage, this helps pay for temporary housing and living expenses, like a hotel stay and restaurant meals, if you have to move out of your home because it is uninhabitable after a tornado
Tornado-related exclusions in Oklahoma
Standard home insurance doesn’t cover every tornado-related loss in Oklahoma. For example, earth movement (including landslides and mudslides), flooding, and sewer backups are excluded from coverage no matter what causes them, tornado or otherwise.
Additionally, most types of coverage in your policy have a limit — the maximum amount your insurance company will pay for a covered loss. Some items also have a sublimit, a lower cap that applies to specific things within a broader coverage type. For example, jewelry and electronics often have a sublimit under your personal property coverage, and detached structures you've built or acquired since buying your policy (if you haven't updated your insurance company about them) may have one, too.
Wind and hail deductibles in Oklahoma
A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of your own pocket before your insurance company starts paying for a covered claim. Many Oklahoma home insurance policies have a separate deductible for wind and hail damage. This wind/hail deductible can be a flat dollar amount or a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit (meaning your home’s insured value).
Example: If your dwelling coverage limit is $300,000 and you have a 2% wind/hail deductible, you would pay for the first $6,000 of tornado damage before your insurance kicks in.
Is flood damage from tornadoes covered by insurance in Oklahoma?
Whether flood damage is covered depends on how the water gets in. Wind-driven rain that enters your home through an opening a tornado created, like a hole in your roof or a broken window, is typically covered under a standard homeowners policy. But rising water from heavy rainfall or an overwhelmed drainage system is considered flood damage — and that isn’t covered unless you carry flood insurance.
To get flood insurance in Oklahoma, you typically have three options. You can ask your current insurer if you can add a flood insurance endorsement (optional add-on that broadens coverage) to your home policy. If that’s not an option, you can purchase a separate flood policy through a private insurer, or you can get coverage through the government-backed National Flood Insurance Program.
Is Oklahoma at risk for tornadoes?
Oklahoma lies in the center of Tornado Alley, a region in the U.S. where warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cool, dry air from the Rocky Mountains, creating the conditions that fuel supercell storms.
According to the National Weather Service, Oklahoma averages nearly 60 tornadoes each year, but recent years have seen higher numbers. The frequency and severity of tornadoes in Oklahoma is one of the main reasons why home insurance costs more and can be harder to qualify for in Oklahoma than in less tornado-prone states.
Tornado strength is measured using the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale. The Sooner State’s 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado, rated an EF5, produced an estimated wind speed of over 300 mph. And the 2013 Moore tornado, an EF5, caused an estimated $2 billion in damage here.
How to avoid tornado damage to your home
Here are a few things you can do to limit tornado damage to your home:
-
Reinforce the roof: Hurricane clips and roof-to-wall connectors can help keep a roof attached during a tornado or severe windstorm.
-
Protect the windows: Consider installing storm shutters to prevent windows from shattering due to high winds. These and other wind mitigation features may also help you earn home insurance discounts.
-
Secure outdoor objects: Before a storm, anchor or bring inside patio furniture, grills, decorations, and outdoor fixtures that could become airborne.
-
Know your utility shutoff locations: Tornadoes can damage gas lines or create electrical hazards, so it’s important to know where and how to shut off the gas, water, and electricity.
-
Keep an updated home inventory: Make a list of your personal belongings, along with photos and receipts if you have them. If you need to file a claim for personal property after a tornado, this can streamline the process.
Pro tip: While the steps above can reduce damage to your home, they won't necessarily protect you and your family during the storm itself. Identifying a safe room — an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows — or installing a storm shelter is the best way to stay safe when a tornado hits. Oklahoma's SoonerSafe rebate program has helped homeowners offset the cost of a shelter, though it's currently closed to new applicants; some tribal nations also offer their own storm shelter grant programs.
How much does tornado insurance cost in Oklahoma?
Because tornado insurance in Oklahoma isn't a standalone policy, it doesn't have a separate premium (cost of coverage). The price is included in your home insurance rate.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Oklahoma is $5,819 per year, which is higher than any other state. The national average cost of a policy with $350,000 in dwelling coverage is $3,303, according to the latest data available from the Consumer Federation of America.
How much you pay may vary, as individual rates depend on several factors, including:
-
ZIP code
-
Home age and construction type
-
Roof type and age
-
Deductible
-
Claims history
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage in Oklahoma?
Yes. A standard homeowners policy covers tornado damage under the wind portion of your coverage, including damage to a home's structure, detached structures, and personal belongings, plus additional living expenses if you're displaced.
How does insurance work if a tornado hits your house?
After a tornado, here's what typically happens. You can contact your insurance company as soon as it's safe to do so, and document the damage with photos or videos before you start cleaning up. Your insurer will likely send an adjuster to assess the damage and determine your payout, which is calculated based on your policy's terms, minus your deductible. If you can't stay in your home because it is uninhabitable, your policy's additional living expenses coverage may help pay for things like a hotel and meals — just be sure to save your receipts for reimbursement.
Is home insurance higher in Tornado Alley?
Yes, home insurance rates are typically higher and eligibility standards are often stricter in Oklahoma because of the state’s elevated tornado frequency and severity. The average home insurance premium in Oklahoma is $5,819 annually, compared to the nationwide average of $3,303, according to the latest data from the Consumer Federation of America.
What if my house gets destroyed by a tornado?
If your house is destroyed by a tornado, dwelling coverage can pay to rebuild it, up to your policy limit. It’s important to insure your dwelling for at least 80% of its replacement value. Otherwise, a coinsurance penalty could reduce your claim payout. Personal property insurance will cover destroyed belongings, and additional living expenses can help pay for temporary living costs.
