In this unpredictable world, it’s vital to protect your most precious asset – your home – against storm damage from such unexpected events as hailstorms, high winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes. A question that may arise in the mind of an ordinary homeowner is, “Does home insurance cover storm damage?”. In our comprehensive guide provides insight into how homeowners insurance is planned to protect your property from severe weather damage and what it doesn’t cover.
Diving into Home Insurance Coverage
Your home insurance policy acts as a financial shield in case of property damage, including storm damage or any other damage caused by extreme weather events. However, the depth of property damage insurance coverage may vary depending on the insurance provider and policy terms. Here’s a breakdown of common weather-related damages and how they’re typically handled:
#Hail Damage
A primary source of weather-related insurance claims, hailstorms can severely damage roofs, windows, and siding. The good news is that standard home insurance provisions often cover hail damage after paying your deductible. Damages due to the weight of ice, snow, or sleet can often be included among the covered perils under your homeowner’s policy.
#Wind Coverage
Your home’s structure and belongings are protected under most home insurance policies against damages from high winds, like those during tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards. However, your insurance policy may include or exclude coverage for wind damage, so it’s essential to understand the details of your policy. If needed, separate wind coverage can often be sourced.
#Wildfires
For those residing in areas susceptible to wildfires, make sure to verify that your coverage encompasses wildfire damage. If you’re in a region where wildfires are common and you’re struggling to find insurance that incorporates this peril, a state-run FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) plan might offer the required coverage.
#Lightning Strikes
Lightning-induced damage to your home and personal effects is typically covered by your insurance. Damage caused by fires or power surges due to lightning strikes, including electronics or appliances, generally falls within the scope of your home insurance policy.
What Home Insurance Generally Does Not Cover
Despite the myriad of protections offered by home insurance, there are certain categories of severe weather damage that aren’t usually covered in standard policies. Let’s look at these special cases:
#Floods
Standard home insurance does not usually cover flood damage. To protect against flood-induced losses, a specialized flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or from a private company dealing with flood insurance is required.
#Earthquakes
Damage caused by earthquakes is usually not covered under standard home insurance policies. But, in some states like California, you can obtain a specific policy or endorsement for earthquake coverage through entities like the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).
#Decoding Deductibles
There may be different deductibles for weather damage like windstorms or hail based on your homeowner’s insurance policy. These could be determined as a percentage of your Coverage A (dwelling coverage), a combination of Coverage A and C (personal property coverage), or a flat dollar amount. Understanding your deductible is vital to protect your budget in a stormy event.
Navigating Weather-Related Insurance Claims
When weather damage strikes, it’s essential to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to initiate the claims process. If you’re uncertain about the extent of damage meeting your deductible, consulting a professional for a repair quote can be helpful. Documentation, like photographs or videos, can be crucial during the claim review process as well.
Being Proactive for Storm Protection
Proactivity is key when it comes to protecting your home against extreme weather. Some key tips include familiarizing yourself with your policy’s coverage limitations, planning ahead for necessary coverage, and budgeting for deductibles.
Overall, understanding your home insurance policy and its coverage related to storm damage is the first step to protecting your home.
About Lake Effect Restoration
If you’re already going through any of the above conditions or require post storm restoration services for your residential or commercial property, Lake Effect Restoration could be the best option for you. We offer 24/7 emergency restoration services across Petoskey and Traverse City in Michigan. Call us at (231)-883-4183 for any weather damage restoration needs.