Windstorm Insurance

What Does Windstorm Insurance Mean?

Windstorm insurance covers property damage caused by strong winds, such as those from tornadoes or hurricanes. However, this coverage is limited to wind damage and does not include other storm-related damages, such as flooding or heavy rain.

Windstorm insurance is not typically included in standard homeowners’ insurance policies. To obtain this coverage, individuals must purchase an additional rider known as an extended coverage endorsement. Because of those gaps, homeowners in storm-prone areas often want to check exactly what their main policy covers before adding a separate rider, including whether homeowners insurance covers hurricane damage or tornado damage under their existing terms.

Insuranceopedia Explains Windstorm Insurance

Windstorm coverage can be challenging to obtain in areas considered high-risk for hurricanes or tornadoes. This is because a single severe storm can cause widespread damage, leading to significant financial losses for insurance companies. To address this issue, state governments have established agencies to provide coverage for homeowners in these high-risk regions. If you live in one of these regions, it also helps to know how a standard policy treats other weather-related events, since the rules around homeowners insurance and natural disasters can vary depending on the cause of the loss.