Homeowners insurance can cover certain natural disasters like fire or wind, but not every event is included in a standard policy. Make sure to pick the appropriate insurance and check your policy wording carefully.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?
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Natural disasters can strike at any time, often causing devastating damage to homes and properties. Many homeowners worry about whether their insurance will cover the costs of repairs or rebuilding after such events.
Understanding how homeowners insurance handles natural disasters is crucial for ensuring that you’re properly protected. In this article, we’ll explore what types of natural disasters are typically covered by homeowners insurance and which ones might require additional coverage.
With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, I can help guide you through the details and ensure you have the right coverage in place.
Key Takeaways
Homeowners insurance is meant to protect against various natural disasters, but not every event is covered by a standard policy.
A typical policy will cover damage from things like wind, rainstorms, snow buildup, fire, and more extreme events such as tornadoes, wildfires, blizzards, and even falling meteorites.
While flooding is responsible for 90% of natural disasters in the U.S., it is not included in standard home insurance coverage.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?
Homeowners insurance is designed to protect your home and personal property from unexpected events. It generally covers a variety of risks, such as fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters like tornadoes, lightning strikes, and winter storms. However, coverage can vary depending on your policy and provider.
Some policies may cover additional risks, like water damage or accidental injury, while others may exclude certain events like earthquakes or floods. To ensure you’re fully protected, it’s essential to carefully review your policy and understand what is and isn’t covered, so you can understand how much coverage you need, and make any necessary adjustments.
What Natural Disasters Are Covered By Home Insurance?
Homeowners insurance is designed to cover a range of natural disasters, but not all events are included in a standard policy. Below are the common natural disasters typically covered by homeowners insurance.
Fire
Homeowners insurance usually covers fire damage, including damage caused by lightning, wildfires, or accidents. If your home is damaged or destroyed by fire, your policy will help with repairs or rebuilding.
Lightning
Damage caused by lightning strikes is generally covered. This includes fire damage caused by a lightning strike, as well as damage to electrical equipment or appliances.
Windstorm And Tornadoes
Most policies cover damage from windstorms and tornadoes. This can include damage to the roof, windows, and exterior structures like fences or sheds. Wind damage is usually covered, but damage caused by flooding from heavy rain may not be included.
Hailstorms
Damage from hail is typically covered by homeowners insurance. If your roof, windows, or siding are damaged by hail, your policy should pay for repairs or replacements.
Volcanic Eruptions
Homeowners insurance usually covers damage caused by volcanic eruptions, including ash damage or lava flow. However, this coverage can vary by policy, so it’s important to check with your insurer.
Note: While homeowners insurance may typically cover many natural disasters like fire, lightning, windstorms, and hail, it’s important to review your specific policy to confirm coverage. Pay close attention to any windstorm exclusions, which could affect tornado coverage. Some policies may also have a separate wind or tornado deductible. If you find exclusions or special deductibles, talk to your insurance agent about options for additional protection.
What Natural Disasters Are Not Covered By Home Insurance?
While homeowners insurance covers many types of natural disasters, there are several that are not typically included in standard policies. It’s important to understand what’s not protected by homeowners insurance.
Floods
Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurance. This includes damage caused by heavy rain, rivers overflowing, or flash floods. If you live in a flood-prone area, you will need a separate flood insurance policy, often available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Earthquakes
Earthquake damage is generally not covered by homeowners insurance. If you live in an area at risk for earthquakes, you may need to purchase an additional earthquake endorsement or a separate earthquake insurance policy to cover potential damage.
Landslides & Mudslides
Damage caused by landslides or mudslides is not typically covered by a standard homeowners policy. You would need special coverage, such as a landslide insurance policy, to protect your home from these types of disasters.
Note: In some states, such as California and Washington, you can get insurance for mudslides and landslides, but it’s offered by only a few insurance companies.
Tsunami
Tsunami damage is not covered under a regular homeowners insurance policy. Since tsunamis are typically caused by earthquakes, separate coverage for this type of disaster may be available, depending on your location.
What To Do If You Experience Damage From A Natural Disaster
If you experience damage from a natural disaster, it’s important to take quick and careful action. Here’s what you should do:
Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy: Start by reviewing your homeowners insurance policy to understand what is covered and what isn’t. Make sure the damage from the natural disaster is included in your coverage. Check the limits of your coverage and any exclusions that might apply.
Contact Your Homeowners Insurance Company: Reach out to your insurance company or agent as soon as possible to report the damage. They will guide you through the claims process and provide the necessary forms or instructions for filing a claim. They may also assign an adjuster to assess the damage.
Document the Damage for Your Claim: Carefully inspect your home and property to determine the extent of the damage. Take photos and videos of the damage from multiple angles. Make a list of damaged items, including their value and condition. This documentation will help your insurance company process your claim faster.
Start a Home Insurance Claim Journal: Create a journal to keep track of all communications, documents, and actions related to the claim. Record the dates and details of conversations with your insurer, repair estimates, and any expenses you incur while dealing with the disaster. This journal will be helpful if you need to refer back to any information later.
Prevent Further Damage: If it is safe to do so, take steps to prevent further damage to your home. For example, you can cover broken windows with plastic sheeting, tarp your roof, or turn off the water supply if there’s flooding. Keep receipts for any temporary repairs, as these might be reimbursed by your insurance.
Stay Patient and Follow Up: The claims process after a natural disaster can take time. Stay in contact with your insurer and be patient. If you haven’t received updates or payouts, follow up regularly to keep the process moving.
Additional Coverage For Disasters Not Covered By Home Insurance
While homeowners insurance typically covers a variety of natural disasters, there are some that are not included in standard policies. However, additional coverage options are available to help protect your home from these excluded events. Here are some additional coverage options for natural disasters not covered by standard home insurance:
Flood Insurance
Flood damage is not typically covered by homeowners insurance. If you live in an area that is at risk for flooding, it’s a good idea to purchase separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers. Flood insurance will cover the damage caused by rising water, which includes water entering your home during a storm or heavy rainfall.
Earthquake Insurance
Earthquakes are not covered by standard homeowners insurance. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, you can add earthquake coverage to your policy, or purchase a separate earthquake insurance policy. This will help pay for repairs to your home and belongings if they are damaged in an earthquake.
Landslide Insurance
Like earthquakes, landslides and mudslides are typically excluded from home insurance policies. You can add additional coverage for landslides or mudslides if you live in a region where these events are common. This type of insurance covers damage caused by the movement of soil, rocks, or debris.
Personal Property Or Additional Living Expenses (ALE) Coverage
If your home is damaged in a natural disaster and you’re forced to relocate temporarily, homeowners insurance may cover your living expenses under Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage. However, it’s important to review your policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for things like hotel bills, restaurant meals, and storage fees.
FAQs
Does homeowners insurance cover damage from wildfires?
Yes, most homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by wildfires, including the destruction of your home and personal belongings. However, if you live in an area with a high risk of wildfires, it’s a good idea to review your coverage to ensure you’re properly protected.
Will homeowners insurance cover damage from a landslide?
No, homeowners insurance typically does not cover damage caused by landslides or mudslides. If you live in a high-risk area, you may need to purchase separate coverage for earth movement, such as a landslide insurance policy.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage from hailstorms?
Yes, damage from hailstorms is generally covered by standard homeowners insurance. This includes damage to your roof, windows, and other structures. However, it’s always good to review your policy, as specific coverage limits may apply.
Is Hazard Insurance the Same as Homeowners Insurance?
No, hazard insurance is not the same as homeowners insurance, but it is one important part of it. Hazard insurance refers to the portion of a homeowners policy that protects the structure of your home against specific disasters, like fire, hail, or wind. You can’t purchase it as a standalone policy — it’s bundled inside your broader homeowners insurance package.
Sources
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- FEMA – Flood Insurance
- Insurance Information Institute – Which Disasters Are Covered By Homeowners Insurance?
- FEMA – Role of Insurance
- Texas Department of Insurance – FAQ: Homeowners Insurance And Disaster Claims
- FEMA – Earthquake Insurance
- Insurance Information Institute – Insurance For Landslides and Mudflow
- NAIC – What Are Additional Living Expenses and How Can Insurance Help?
