For many parts of the U.S., tornadoes are a fact of everyday life. Battening the hatches and taking shelter are common knowledge, but what’s not so clear is how home insurance comes into play. Here’s the good news: home insurance covers tornado damage, for the most part. Let’s go through the ins and outs of home insurance and tornado damage, so that protecting your home can feel a little less whirlwind.
Home insurance has a few different components:
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All three components can kick in when a tornado hits. A tornado can cause varying degrees of damage, from knocking a tree into your house to shattering windows. This can not only impact the integrity of the structure of your house, but also damage your belongings inside and make it so you can’t live there until your home is repaired.
If a tornado causes damage, your first step is contacting your insurance company and documenting the damage. Your insurance provider will walk you through next steps to getting your home back in order.
Keep in mind, you will likely need to pay a deductible first before your claim is processed, and a wind damage deductible may be separate from (and even higher than) your standard home insurance deductible.
Most standard home insurance policies cover tornado damage, unless the policy specifically excludes wind damage. Flooding can also occur after a heavy storm that accompanies a tornado, but it’s important to note that flooding requires separate coverage.
Make sure you check your policy to ensure you know exactly what you are (and aren’t) covered for. If your policy excludes wind damage, consider adding it to ensure your home is fully protected. And of course, make sure to keep up with basic maintenance on your home and property to prevent damage as much as possible, and protect you from having a claim denied due to neglect.
And while home insurance typically covers tornadoes, there are parts of the U.S. like Tornado Alley that see an unusually high number of tornadoes each year. These areas often have higher than average home insurance premiums because of the higher risk. But even if you’re parked front and center on Tornado Alley, there are still ways to reduce your home insurance costs and save yourself some money.
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As Dorothy would say, there’s no place like home, and that home deserves protection. Tornados should never be taken lightly and you should always follow warnings, and that includes preparing well in advance with securing home insurance that has your back.
Start by reviewing your current policy and identifying any gaps. Speak to your agent today about adding coverage if needed, or you can look into switching to a more comprehensive policy that gives you peace of mind by accessing free comparison quotes here.
