Jeffrey Wade
Homeowners insurance covers a range of natural disasters, but not all. Most policies cover lightning, thunderstorms, hail, and hurricanes. However, earthquakes and floods are typically excluded and require separate policies. Home insurance may also not cover wind damage in high-risk hurricane areas. It's important to review your policy carefully and understand the specific inclusions and exclusions to ensure adequate protection. Additional coverage may be needed for high-value items, as standard policies may offer limited protection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural disasters covered | Lightning, thunderstorms, hurricanes, hail, wind, smoke damage, damage caused by falling items, fire damage from wildfires, damage from fallen trees |
| Natural disasters not covered | Floods, earthquakes, wind damage in high-risk hurricane areas, sewer backups |
| Additional notes | Coverage may be limited on certain high-value items, such as jewelry or artwork. Homeowners in coastal areas may need a separate policy for wind damage. |
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What You'll Learn
Floods
If you live in a high-risk flood area, you may be required to have flood insurance. Flood insurance can be purchased as a separate policy or from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses, and having this coverage can help them recover faster when floodwaters recede. The NFIP works with communities required to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that help mitigate flooding effects. Flood insurance is available to anyone living in one of the 22,600 participating NFIP communities.
There is usually a 30-day waiting period for flood insurance to go into effect, so it is important to plan ahead and purchase a policy before the height of the flood season. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you can also take steps to prevent water from entering your house, such as using sandbags and other building materials like plywood.
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Earthquakes
In California, if you have homeowners insurance, your company must offer to sell you earthquake insurance. The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) provides most earthquake insurance in California. CEA offers earthquake policies for homeowners, mobile home owners, condo unit owners, and renters. You must have a residential property insurance policy in place to get a CEA earthquake policy, and you must purchase your CEA policy from the same insurance company that you have your residential policy with. CEA offers deductibles of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%, with some exceptions. As with most earthquake policies, CEA insurance does not cover landscaping, pools, fences, masonry, or separate buildings.
In states prone to earthquakes, insurance companies can set a minimum deductible—for example, 10%, according to the Insurance Information Institute. You can estimate your premium by using an online tool provided by your insurance company.
It is important to note that earthquake insurance does not replace homeowners insurance. Earthquake insurance is an additional coverage option that can help pay for some of your losses. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, it is essential to review your homeowners insurance policy and consider purchasing earthquake insurance to ensure you have adequate coverage in the event of a disaster.
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Wildfires
Home insurance typically covers damage from weather events, but there are certain natural disasters that may require additional coverage. Whether your home insurance covers wildfire damage depends on your insurer, your policy, and where you live.
If you live in an area at risk for wildfires, your options for coverage can be limited. Many insurers don’t offer homeowners insurance in fire-prone areas or exclude coverage for wildfire damage. If you’re unable to obtain coverage from a private company, you may be able to get insurance from your state’s FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) plan. These plans are designed to give homeowners with high exposure to events outside of their control, such as wildfires and windstorms, access to insurance when they can’t get protection under a standard homeowners policy. Each state determines what its FAIR plan covers and what its policy limits are. Because FAIR plans typically cost more than standard homeowners insurance and can have lower policy limits, it's usually best to explore other options first.
If your home is damaged or destroyed in a wildfire, dwelling coverage may pay for the repair or rebuild costs up to the limits of your coverage. Structures on your property that are damaged by wildfire but aren't attached to your main residence may be covered by your policy’s other structure coverage. These structures include detached garages, sheds, fences, and gazebos. If your personal property, such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and other home goods, are destroyed by a wildfire, your policy’s personal property coverage may pay to replace the items up to your coverage limits and minus your deductible.
If your home is uninhabitable after a wildfire or you're evacuated due to a wildfire, your homeowners policy may reimburse you for your hotel stay and other living expenses. Contact your insurer to begin the claims process.
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Lightning strikes
Homeowners insurance typically covers damage caused by lightning strikes. This includes direct hits that result in fires, electrical surges, and structural damage. Lightning strikes are generally categorized as "covered perils" in most standard homeowner policies. This means your insurance company will cover fire, smoke damage, and power surges caused by lightning.
Dwelling coverage will address the repair or rebuilding costs if a lightning strike results in a fire that damages your home. Personal property coverage will cover damaged electronics or appliances due to power surges. Other structures on your property, such as fences or sheds, are also usually covered if impacted by lightning.
However, it is important to understand the specifics of your policy and any exceptions that might apply. For example, while homeowners insurance may cover electrical wiring problems resulting from lightning strikes, issues due to outdated wiring or lack of maintenance are typically not covered. Additionally, while lightning strikes are generally covered, the cost of removing a struck tree may not be included in your policy.
To ensure you are fully prepared, it is beneficial to understand the nuances of what is covered by your homeowner's insurance policy in the event of a lightning strike. Knowing these details can save you time and stress during an already challenging situation.
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Wind damage
Home insurance covers most types of severe weather events, including wind damage. Wind is one of the most common causes of damage from storms, and homeowners insurance typically covers the costs of repair and replacement associated with wind damage. However, it is important to note that wind damage coverage may vary depending on your location and insurance provider. For example, homeowners in coastal areas may need a separate policy for wind damage, and some states have higher deductibles for windstorms like hurricanes.
Dwelling coverage in your homeowners insurance policy will typically help pay for repairs or replacements due to wind damage to the roof, siding, or windows. Personal property coverage may also be included in your policy, covering repairs or replacements of items damaged by wind. Certain factors, such as the age of your roof or unresolved maintenance issues, may impact the reimbursement amount for wind damage repairs.
It is always a good idea to review your policy carefully to understand what is covered and what exclusions may apply. By checking with your insurance provider, you can confirm whether wind damage is covered and if there are any specific limitations or deductibles for wind-related incidents. Understanding your coverage will help you be prepared in the event of a windstorm or other severe weather that may cause wind damage to your home or belongings.
While home insurance generally covers wind damage, it is important to be aware of possible exclusions or limitations. In high-risk hurricane areas, for instance, wind damage may not be covered under standard home insurance policies. Additionally, some policies may have specific requirements or restrictions regarding the type of wind damage covered. For example, wind damage caused by a named peril listed in your policy would likely be covered, while damage from unnamed perils may not be included.
To ensure comprehensive protection against wind damage, it is recommended to review your policy regularly and consider purchasing additional coverage if needed. Discussing your options with your insurance provider can help you make informed decisions about any necessary endorsements or separate wind policies to fill any gaps in your current coverage. By taking proactive measures, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are adequately protected in the event of wind-related incidents.
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Frequently asked questions
Homeowners insurance covers some natural disasters, but not all. It typically includes lightning, thunderstorms, hail, and hurricanes.
Homeowners insurance does not typically cover earthquakes or floods. You will need separate policies for these.
Wind damage is usually covered, but it depends on your location and policy. Homeowners in high-risk hurricane areas or coastal regions may need a separate wind policy.
Coverage for your belongings may be limited for certain high-value items, such as jewelry or artwork. You may need additional coverage for these assets.
