The winds are picking up, and those clouds aren’t looking friendly. This may be the time you start thinking about what your home insurance covers.
To be honest, is it the first time you’ve thought about it since buying your house? You’re not alone. To help in these unnerving moments, let’s go over some of the common concerns homeowners have about what storm damages their homeowner’s insurance may cover and what it may not.
Your homeowner’s Insurance policy covers certain types of water damage.
Water damage can be devastating after a severe storm. So, it’s important to know what types of water damage your homeowner’s Insurance policy may cover and the types it may not.
It partly comes down to how the water got inside your house.
Storm damage that is usually covered by homeowners Insurance may include situations where the home is physically damaged by the storm, allowing rainwater to enter. In some cases, wind-driven rain may be covered.
However, this often excludes losses caused by surface water. Surface water can include, but is not limited to, flooding/flash flooding of creeks, rivers and lakes or sources like waves, tides, and storm surges; in addition to the natural sources of surface water stated above, many homeowners policies also exclude unnatural or manmade surface water hazards.
Unfortunately, these types of damages can be quite costly. This is why it’s important to consider a separate flood Insurance policy
For Auto Owners Homeowners Insurance policies, you may have the option to add our Inland Flood coverage to an existing homeowners policy if your home is in a low-to-moderate flood zone rather than purchasing a separate flood insurance policy
This insurance product is not affiliated with the National Flood Insurance Program
Read more: Storm Damage & Homeowners Insurance 5 Things You Need to Know
Storm-related interior water damage coverage may depend on if it’s new damage or if it’s been going on for a while.
Water damage that has accumulated over time may be excluded. Another great reason to inform your agent or insurance company promptly if you
notice water damage after a recent storm
But if you notice water seeping through your ceiling after a storm, even if your roof is older, you may have coverage for recent interior damage. However, sump pump floor drains and other water backups may not be covered unless a specific endorsement covering these fesses is purchased. Coverage for personal property is typically not as broad as coverage for the home itself and may require that an actual opening be created by the storm.
Homeowners insurance typically covers storm damage to your roof.
Oftentimes, the first thing we think about when the wind or hall is blowing is our roof. Homeowners insurance will typically cover storm damage to
your root
Examples of roof damage that your home insurance may cover can include:
- wind damage
- Hall damaged
- Damage from fallen objects. The tree limbs
However, non-storm damage to your roof, such as wear and tear, is often excluded by the policy.
Read more: Homeowners Insurance and Roof Storm Damage: 5 Things You Absolutely Need to Know.
If somebody else’s property damages your house during a storm, your insurance will likely cover it.
During a severe storm, your neighbor’s tree falls on your house and damages your roof! Your insurance will likely cover those damages, although there may be limits on coverage for tree debris removal.
It may seem odd that your neighbor’s insurance doesn’t apply, but the general rule for insurance is that your property is your responsibility. This usually includes trees that fall onto your property.
But things may change if your neighbor’s tree is dead or dying before the storm. In that situation, the owner of the tree may be responsible for your
damages. However, you should still turn in a claim to your insurance agent or company.
Storm damage to other structures on your property will likely be covered by your homeowner’s insurance.
If you want higher limits for the additional structures on your property, you will want to make sure that’s listed in your policy. Pole barns, sheds and detached garages are all examples of structures you may want to make sure have proper limits within your home insurance policy.
Storm damage can cause a variety of damages to your property. Be prepared and knowledgeable about the right homeowner’s insurance policy by contacting your local independent agent today.
