What Is Windstorm Insurance?
If you're dealing with property in windy regions, you need to know about windstorm insurance. It's a specialized form of property-casualty insurance that shields you from damage caused by strong winds, hail, gales, and similar hazards. This coverage acts as a subset of broader storm insurance and is usually added as a rider to your standard homeowners policy through an extended coverage endorsement.
Key Takeaways
Windstorm insurance directly addresses damage from gusty events like tornadoes, hurricanes, and gales, covering physical harm to your property and personal items. You typically get this as an add-on to your homeowners policy. Keep in mind that many policies set strict deadlines for filing claims after windstorm damage.
How Windstorm Insurance Works
Windstorm insurance steps in for extreme wind events such as hurricanes and cyclones, which standard homeowners policies often exclude as acts of God. If you live in areas prone to these risks, like coastal or midwestern states where hurricanes and tornadoes hit frequently, you must buy this extra coverage to protect your assets. Also, if you have a mortgage in a high-risk zone, your lender will likely mandate windstorm insurance.
What's Covered
This insurance generally covers physical damage to your home and the personal belongings inside it, often extending to detached structures like garages or sheds. When high winds damage roofs or windows, allowing rain or debris to cause further issues, most policies will handle the repairs—provided you file the claim promptly after the event.
What's Not Covered
Windstorms can lead to storm surges and flooding, but windstorm insurance doesn't cover damage from rising waters; you'll need separate federal flood insurance for that, which takes 30 days to activate. Remember, neither this nor your homeowners policy will fix or replace a vehicle hit by a fallen tree or flying debris—you need comprehensive auto insurance for vehicles.
Filing a Windstorm Insurance Claim
When filing a claim, act fast because policies often limit the window for storm damage reports to prevent further issues from delayed repairs. Right after a windstorm, note the date and collect news articles as evidence. Assess visible damage from the ground with photos or videos. Get written repair estimates from at least two reputable contractors. Contact your insurer's claims department with all details and request an adjuster visit. Have a contractor present during the inspection for accuracy. If denied, ask for reevaluations—you can meet with up to three adjusters.
Frequently Asked Questions
You might wonder about the difference between homeowners and windstorm insurance. Homeowners covers structural damage, theft, personal items, and liability, and it might include some wind damage, but not in high-risk coastal areas— that's where windstorm insurance fills the gap. You're not always required to get it, but in prone areas with a mortgage, your lender may insist. Costs average around $2,000 yearly in high-risk zones, varying by home size, location, and provider.
The Bottom Line
In summary, windstorm insurance handles damage from intense winds like hurricanes and cyclones that standard policies exclude. If you're in a high-risk area, add it to your homeowners coverage. Just note that it won't cover subsequent flooding or surges—handle those separately.
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