One of the most common questions we get asked during storm season, “Is storm damage covered by homeowners insurance?” We understand that peace of mind during inclement weather is extremely important.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer.
While some insurers will cover roof damage caused by severe weather, others exclude it from standard policies. Knowing ahead of time what your homeowner’s policy covers and how you might protect yourself against additional costs can give you peace of mind and help prevent unexpected expenses in inclement weather.
Property owners may incur costly damage to their homes or businesses due to severe weather. Unfortunately, not all insurance companies cover storm-related property damage. As a result, policyholders need to know their coverage before disaster strikes. Various factors will determine whether or not an insurance company will cover storm-related damage, and policyholders should familiarize themselves with these to ensure they are properly protected in a severe weather emergency.
Understanding Homeowner’s Insurance
Homeowner’s insurance is a type of property insurance that provides financial protection to homeowners in the event of damage to their homes or personal property. It typically covers damage caused by natural disasters such as storms, fires, and theft, as well as liability for injuries on the property. It is meant to protect the homeowner’s investment in the property and ensure that they have the financial means to repair or rebuild their home in the event of damage.
Homeowners insurance typically covers most types of storm damage, like wind and hail. In addition, if your home or property was damaged by a recent storm, your policy may have provisions to cover repair costs. While this coverage can help reduce the financial impact of severe weather on homeowners, it’s important to note that not all forms of storm damage are included in these policies. For example, many standard policies don’t include flooding and water damage from storms – so if your home suffers flood damage from a severe downpour or hurricane, odds are you’d need an additional policy or separate coverage to protect you financially from these kinds of disasters.
How to Know What is Covered
Carefully review your insurance policy regarding any damage caused by a storm. While some insurance companies will offer to repair or replace roof damage due to stormy conditions, others might not. Coverage can also be accepted or denied based on the nature of the damage. If wind gusts, hail, or heavy rains are involved, you may have coverage; however, if the damage was caused by lightning strikes or similar acts of nature, it may be considered outside of the scope of classic storm coverage and, therefore, not covered under many policies. Checking your policy clarifies what is and is not included, so you are protected if the unexpected happens.
It is difficult to know what is included with insurance coverage for storm damage. Fortunately, your insurance company is the best source of information — they provide detailed coverage for all kinds of claims, including storm damage.
To get started and ensure you have the answers you need to protect your home or business properly, reach out and contact your provider. They will provide specifics regarding storm damage coverage and clear direction on what repair or replacement may be needed to make an adequate claim.
Once you contact your insurance company, contact our team at SkyGuard to begin the process of assessing the damage and getting a repair estimate.
