Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Storm Damage?

Table of Content

• Never covered
• What’s a hurricane moratorium?
• Is a blown over fence covered by homeowner insurance?
• What Types of Storm Damage Are Not Covered?
• Storm damage that won’t be covered by home insurance.

Many home insurance companies wont issue a new or renew an existing policy if your roof is more than 20 years old. For instance, a metal roof can hold up for 30 to 40 years, while asphalt shingles may need to be replaced after 12 years. In some cases, insurance companies will only pay actual cash value to repair or replace an older damaged roof, leaving you to foot the bill for the bulk of expenses. To avoid costly repair or replacement costs, periodically have a licensed roofing inspector check your roof. If you live in an area where tornado warnings are common, like Texas, you will likely need additional coverage to ensure your property is protected.

Each of these weather and severe events can bring about damaging wind, water, fire, debris, and fallen trees. Damage caused by earthquake, tremors, mudslide, landslide, tsunami and flood is most likely not covered. Talking with your insurance provider about what Acts of God are and are not covered is wise when electing your suite of policies.

Never covered

You may also notice doors or windows that are difficult to close or open, cracks in masonry or walls, or sprinkler heads that have fallen below the ceiling. Cracking or creaking sounds in your house may also indicate a roof problem. Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

You know your homeowners insurance includes coverage for storm damage, but what does that actually include? From downed trees to roof damage, a lot can go wrong when a storm hits. If your ceiling has water damage, whether or not it’s covered will depend on the source of the water damage. For example, if a pipe bursts and water leaks down into your ceiling, your homeowners insurance will likely reimburse you for repairs.

What’s a hurricane moratorium?

So, if you know bad weather is on its way, you might want to take steps to protect it or bring it indoors. While a professional will be the only person able to officially diagnose a deficient tree, you can notice some initial signs. Trees that are hunched over significantly, for example, are likely unhealthy and can fall down. Most trees have a natural lean, but take note of trees that appear to lean much more than neighboring trees. While the $500 cap is typical, your policy might cover up to $1,000 — or possibly lower than $500.

Some standard homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by strong winds and hurricanes. However, this coverage may vary, so it’s important to check with your carrier or your insurance agent. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, your policy may specifically exclude wind damage from insurance claims, especially if it’s related to a hurricane. In this case, you may need to purchase an endorsement or a separate policy that covers windstorms or wind and hail. Standard home insurance policies also typically exclude certain other types of water damage, such as water backing up from an outside sewer or drain unless an endorsement is added to the policy. An endorsement is a rider which can cover certain events that would normally not be covered, such as flooding, which is not typically covered on a standard homeowners policy.

Is a blown over fence covered by homeowner insurance?

A standard policy typically covers water damage from rain if it enters your home because of damage from another covered peril, like during a windstorm. Wind storms can produce a lot of damage by getting under your shingles and literally lifting them up and away. Your homeowners insurance policy will usually offer protection during covered losses like these.

However, most insurance companies offer water backup coverage as an optional add-on to protect against these losses, and some companies even include this coverage in their standard policy offering. If an insurance adjuster decides that neglect caused your roof damage, the insurer may deny your claim. For example, if you fail to replace a few shingles that blew off during a storm, further water exposure could rot your roofs structure.

What Types of Storm Damage Are Not Covered?

Homeowners insurance technically covers damage from tropical hurricane winds and rain. However, depending on where you live a special hurricane or wind deductible may apply. Filing a tornado claim is the same as filing a claim for other perils like fire, theft, hail and hurricanes. Understanding what you’ll need to file a claim can help you confidently move through the process.

Insurers can also offer several types of discounts for roof upgrades to protect against lightning and hail. But every year, tornados, thunderstorms, and other severe weather storms wreak havoc on the Hoosier state. The warning signs of a roof leak can include cracked rafters, ripples in roof supports, or noticeable sagging of the roof.

Storm damage that won’t be covered by home insurance.

Additional living expenses are expenses incurred when your home is impassable due to storm-related damage. RoofingProClub.com is a one-stop resource for everything you want to know about roofs and roofing - repair, installation and maintenance. During this process, you may need to accurately describe the property damage and explain any special needs you or your family may be facing. Call your insurance carrier and inform them of the damages so that they can start the claim process.

Discover the types of storm damage that typically are and are not covered in a standard home insurance policy, and how to file a claim if the need arises. But if your policy has a hurricane deductible, you’ll be required to pay that separate amount on a claim involving wind damage from hurricanes. Hurricane deductibles are typically a percentage — usually 1% to 5% but sometimes higher — of your home’s insurance amount. Most homeowners insurance policies cover wind damage and wind-driven rain during a hurricane. Tornadoes are troublesome to prepare for because they are difficult to predict.