Every year, hurricane season brings powerful winds, heavy rain, and the risk of major property damage. For homeowners living near the coast—or even far inland—storm damage can be both emotionally and financially devastating. That’s why it’s important to review your home insurance before a storm strikes. If you’re not sure whether your policy protects you from hurricane damage, now is the time to find out.
Understanding What Home Insurance Covers
Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies cover wind damage, which includes destruction caused by high-speed winds during a hurricane. This coverage typically helps repair or rebuild your home if the wind damages your roof, walls, windows, or other structures. It can also help pay to replace personal belongings ruined by wind-driven rain that enters through a storm-damaged area.
However, many homeowners are surprised to learn that standard insurance does not cover damage caused by flooding. Since hurricanes often bring intense rain and storm surges, flood damage is one of the biggest threats—but it requires a separate flood insurance policy. If you don’t have flood insurance and water enters your home, you could be stuck paying for costly repairs on your own.
What Is a Windstorm or Hurricane Deductible?
In states that are frequently hit by hurricanes, insurance companies often apply a special hurricane or windstorm deductible. This is different from your regular home insurance deductible. Instead of a flat dollar amount (like $1,000), hurricane deductibles are usually based on a percentage of your home’s insured value—often between 1% and 5%.
For example, if your home is insured for $300,000 and you have a 2% hurricane deductible, you’d need to pay $6,000 out of pocket before your insurance begins to cover storm-related repairs. Understanding how your deductible works is crucial for planning ahead and knowing what your true financial responsibility will be after a storm.
Flood Insurance: A Must-Have in Hurricane Season
Flooding is one of the most common and expensive consequences of a hurricane. Just one inch of water in your home can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Yet many homeowners assume that their regular policy will protect them—until it’s too late.
To be fully prepared, consider purchasing flood insurance, which is underwritten by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and can be purchased directly or from an insurance agent. Keep in mind that flood insurance usually comes with a 30-day waiting period, so you need to get it before a storm is on the radar.
How to Prepare Your Home and Policy
Here are a few smart steps to protect your home and make sure your insurance is up to the task:
- Review Your Policy: Make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered. Confirm that wind damage is included and check the details of your hurricane deductible.
- Consider Flood Insurance: Even if you’re not in a high-risk area, flooding from hurricanes can affect nearly any community.
- Inventory Your Belongings: Take photos or videos of your belongings and keep a written list. This can help speed up your claims process if you need to file.
- Strengthen Your Home: Install storm shutters, reinforce garage doors, and secure outdoor items. These upgrades may even help lower your insurance premiums.
- Keep Records Safe: Store your insurance policy, photos of your home, and other important documents in a waterproof container or cloud storage.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Once a storm is approaching, it’s usually too late to make changes to your insurance coverage. Insurers may place a hold on writing new policies or adjusting coverage when a named storm is predicted. That’s why preparing early is so important. Think of home insurance as part of your hurricane survival kit—it’s just as essential as batteries, bottled water, and a weather radio.
Final Thoughts
Hurricane season is unpredictable, but your protection doesn’t have to be. By reviewing your homeowners insurance, understanding your deductibles, and adding flood coverage, if necessary, you can reduce your risk and financial stress. Acting now ensures that when the next storm hits, you and your home will be ready.
Is your home protected? Don’t wait for the storm clouds—call Tom Needham Insurance today and find out.
Learn more about Tom Needham Insurance Agency in Greensboro, NC.