Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

Damage from hurricanes can include some or all of the following:

• dwelling damage
• wind damage
• flood damage
• personal property damage

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The coverage of standard homeowners policies can vary significantly, but in general:

- Dwelling coverage may pay for structural repairs up to your policy's limits, minus the deductible.

- Wind/hail coverage may be considered covered perils  and may pay for repairs up to your policy's limits, minus a deductible.   However, the deductible may be specifically different for wind/hail damage from a hurricane versus other kinds of damage.

- Flood damage is not covered by a standard homeowners policy.  You must purchase an additional flood policy to cover flooding from the outside of the home.

- Personal property coverage may pay to repair or replace damaged  items up to your policy's limits, minus the deductible.  Make sure you understand which items are considered "covered", as high value items may be excluded in a standard policy and require a separate endorsement.

- Loss of use coverage may pay for certain costs (lodging, meals, additional living expenses) incurred because you're unable to stay in your home as a result of hurricane damage.

If you are considering changing your homeowners policy, remember  during hurricane season insurers will place a moratorium on additions/increases for specific geographic locations at a certain point prior to a hurricane making landfall. 

So don't wait until a hurricane is on the way to start thinking about whether you're adequately covered.  Protect your home and property by reviewing your coverage with an experienced independent insurance agent. 

Don't have one?  I'll be glad to help you.  Call me today at 706-726-1446.