What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover During a Hurricane?
We are in the midst of hurricane season! Having the appropriate insurance to protect your home is essential, particularly for those living in hurricane-prone areas.
Hurricane Information and Your Policy
- There is nothing specifically called “hurricane insurance.” Wind damage and flooding are the two major dangers from a hurricane1; most standard homeowners policies will cover damage caused by hurricanes except for flood damage.
- When purchasing homeowners insurance, you should carefully discuss with your independent agent what is and what isn’t covered, and review this information yearly. Understand what’s covered, and fill in any gaps you find2.
- It’s smart to become familiar with other out-of-pocket expenses that a policy may require if a hurricane damages your home, allowing you to put away savings as needed3.
- After a storm, labor and materials costs can increase exponentially as many people look for contractors and supplies at the same time4.
What about Flooding?
- Many home insurance policies cover damage from windstorms, but remember, the majority of home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage5. Homeowners bracing for a hurricane’s devastation may not even realize they need a separate flood policy for losses from surging ocean waves or an overflowing river6.
- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal flood insurance program to help those in flood-prone regions in the U.S. Flood insurance covers your home and the possessions inside it7.
It’s important to familiarize yourself before a storm threatens so you know you have the best coverage to protect your valuable assets.
How to Prepare for a Hurricane
Hurricane season in the Atlantic lasts from June through November. If you own a home or business in a hurricane-prone region, stay vigilant.
Take the proper steps to prepare your home or business throughout the season — long before authorities issue a hurricane watch.*
Read our recent blog posts to learn more:
*A hurricane watch signifies that hurricane conditions are possible in or near a specified area within 48 hours, and a hurricane warning indicates that hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Hurricane season in the Atlantic lasts from June through November. For more information on hurricane watches and hurricane warnings, visit https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/.
This blog was originally published on August 2, 2021.
Sources:
1, 2, 3, 5, Bankrate, https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/hurricane-insurance/
4, 6, Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-homeowners-insurance-wont-cover-if-a-hurricane-hits-1504897428
7, FloodSmart, www.floodsmart.gov
