What is windstorm insurance and do I need it?

Windstorm insurance is a type of home insurance that covers damage caused by wind, hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other wind-related events. In most parts of the U.S., windstorm insurance is included in standard home insurance, but in some high-risk areas, this is not the case. If wind damage is excluded from your home insurance policy, you can typically add it back through an endorsement with your current insurer or purchase a separate windstorm policy elsewhere.

What does windstorm insurance cover?  

Windstorm insurance, sometimes called hurricane insurance, typically covers the cost of repairs or replacements after a variety of wind-related weather events, such as:

• Hurricanes

• Tornadoes

• Straight-line winds

• Hailstorms

• Microbursts

• Derechos (long-lasting, damaging thunderstorms)

The expenses covered by windstorm insurance may include: 

• Structural repairs: Roof, siding, windows, HVAC systems, and other parts of your home’s structure

• Repairs to detached structures: Sheds, fences, garages, and other structures not attached to your home’s main structure

• Replacement of personal property: Furniture, appliances, and other belongings damaged by wind or wind-driven rain

• Debris removal: Cost to remove eligible debris from your property after a covered windstorm event

• Hotels and food: Additional living expenses if you’re displaced from your home after a covered windstorm event

Check your policy documents to understand what’s covered, and reach out to your insurer if you have questions. 

What doesn't windstorm insurance cover?

Windstorm insurance generally does not cover the following:

• Storm surge and flood damage, even if caused by a covered wind-related event 

• Water damage that doesn’t directly result from the hurricane, tornado, etc.

• Damage caused by delayed repairs, such as mold and mildew 

• Vehicle damage

Windstorm coverage details vary by insurer, policy, and even where you live. Your policy should detail what, if any, additional exclusions apply. 

Pro tip: If you live in an area where flooding commonly accompanies windstorms, you may benefit from flood insurance — it might even be mandatory. It’s often required if you have a mortgage and live in a designated flood zone. You can enter your address into the FEMA Flood Map tool to determine if your home is in a high-risk zone.

Is windstorm insurance required?  

No states mandate windstorm insurance by law, but mortgage lenders in high-risk coastal or tornado-prone areas typically require it as a condition of your loan. Check your mortgage agreement to understand if you’re contractually obligated to carry windstorm insurance. 

Even if it’s not required, windstorm insurance can be essential if you live along the coast or in the Midwest, where hurricanes, tornadoes, and other extreme storms are often a greater risk. According to the most recent data from the Insurance Information Institute, wind and hail damage is the leading cause of property insurance claims, accounting for 42.5% of all home insurance claims in 2023. 

In most areas of the country, a standard home insurance policy already covers wind, hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes as causes of loss (called perils in the industry), so you won't need a separate windstorm insurance policy. However, in high-risk coastal areas — like portions of the Gulf and Atlantic Coast — homeowners often must purchase a standalone windstorm policy to get this coverage and meet lender requirements. In some tornado-prone areas, including parts of the Midwest's "Tornado Alley," a standard policy may exclude wind damage as well, so it's worth confirming with your insurer whether you need additional coverage. 

Windstorm insurance vs. homeowners insurance  

Windstorm insurance fills the coverage gap in home insurance policies that exclude damage from wind, hail, and hurricanes. Home insurance policies with this exclusion — often known as "ex-wind" policies — are common in coastal states.

Here’s more on each coverage type.

How much does windstorm insurance cost?

The cost of windstorm insurance depends on several variables, including:

• Whether you add an endorsement to your existing home insurance policy or purchase standalone coverage

• The insurer you choose

• The location of your property 

• Your home’s age and estimated reconstruction cost

• Your desired coverage amount 

• Whether you have implemented any wind mitigation measures to strengthen your home to better withstand severe weather, like installing hurricane shutters

• Your windstorm deductible (if applicable)

If your home insurance policy includes windstorm coverage, your home's windstorm risk is one of the factors insurers use to calculate your overall home insurance premium — the amount you pay for coverage, usually billed monthly or annually. For standalone windstorm policies, pricing is based more directly on windstorm risk, along with your home's age and reconstruction cost.

Windstorm insurance deductibles

Many home insurance policies also have a separate deductible for windstorm damage claims. A deductible is the portion of a covered loss you agreed to pay yourself, so your insurer subtracts that amount from your claim payout. Depending on your policy, your deductible may be a flat amount, such as $500, or a percentage of your home’s insured value (meaning your dwelling coverage policy limit), such as 1%, 2%, or 5%. Higher windstorm deductibles will reduce the cost of a windstorm policy, but the tradeoff is a much higher out-of-pocket expense in the event of a wind claim.

How to get windstorm insurance

Follow these steps to make sure you’re covered against a windstorm event: 

1. Check your current coverage. Start by reviewing your existing homeowners policy to understand what it covers or excludes when it comes to wind or hurricane events. Talk to an agent or broker if you’re not sure what your policy covers.  

2. Ask your insurer about windstorm endorsements. If your current policy excludes wind coverage, you may have the option to add the coverage back through an endorsement or purchase a separate wind policy through your current insurer. 

3. Shop around. Compare at least three quotes with matching windstorm coverage and deductibles to find the best price

4. Consider a state-run wind pool. If you’re unable to find coverage through the private market, look into your state’s wind pool for last-resort coverage. 

How to file a windstorm insurance claim  

Follow these best practices to get the most out of your windstorm insurance claim. 

1. Document the damage. Record the date and type of weather event, and take photos and/or videos of the damage. The more details you collect about the damage to your home, the better. 

2. Prevent further damage. It's your responsibility to prevent as much additional damage as possible, but only take action when it's safe to do so. This can include placing a tarp over a hole in the roof, paying to remove a tree, or boarding up a broken window. Keep track of receipts for those costs. You may be able to seek reimbursement as part of your claim.

3. File the claim quickly. Insurers typically have time limits for filing a claim after a weather event. If you're unsure about the specifics, be sure to ask so you don’t miss your window. Plus, the faster you file, the quicker your claim can be processed. 

4. Work with your adjuster. Once the claim is filed, an adjuster may assess the damage, or you may be asked to submit visual records of the issue. To help the process run smoothly, provide documentation and any required information as quickly as possible. 

5. Take notes and follow up with your insurer. As you move through the claims and repair process, take notes, keep receipts, and store documentation somewhere safe in case you need to refer back to it or provide anything further to your insurer, contractors, and other relevant parties.

Frequently asked questions  

Is windstorm insurance worth it in Texas?

Windstorm insurance offers essential protection for homeowners in Texas, even if you don't live in an area where it's required by mortgage lenders. The state faces serious weather risks from hurricanes, tornadoes, and hailstorms, making this coverage worthwhile for many homeowners.

Is TWIA the only windstorm insurance option in Texas?

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) is the insurer of last resort for windstorm insurance in Texas — but it's not the only option. Many private home insurance providers also offer windstorm coverage as a separate policy or endorsement.

Does homeowners insurance already include windstorm coverage in most states?

Windstorm coverage is a standard part of home insurance policies in most of the U.S., so you typically don't need a separate policy. The main exception is high-risk coastal areas, like portions of the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, where standard policies often exclude wind damage but homeowners still need windstorm insurance to meet lender requirements. Some tornado-prone inland areas have similar exclusions, but this is less common.

Does windstorm insurance cover a full roof replacement?

Windstorm insurance may cover a full roof replacement if your entire roof is damaged by a wind event and your policy pays out replacement cost rather than actual cash value. Coverage gets more nuanced from there. Older roofs are often subject to a depreciation schedule that reduces the payout, and some policies exclude purely cosmetic damage like hail dents that don't affect the roof's function. Because these details vary significantly by insurer and policy, it's worth confirming your specific coverage with your insurance company.