Does insurance cover tornado damage?

Tornadoes can form quickly and cause serious damage, even in areas where you might not expect them. While you can’t control the weather, you can take steps to protect what matters most to you if a surprise storm hits.

Here’s how homeowners insurance may financially assist after a tornado, plus a few coverage options that can strengthen your protection.

Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage?

In many cases, a standard homeowners policy may help pay for damage caused by wind, including tornadoes, if the event is covered. Coverage varies by policy type, state, deductibles, and limits.

After a tornado, homeowners insurance may help cover:

• Your home's primary structure, like the roof, walls, and attached garage
• Other structures on your property, like your fence or shed
• Personal belongings, like furniture, clothing, and electronics

A smart next step is to review your policy so you understand what’s covered, what isn’t, and how your deductible works.

Customize your homeowners insurance with add-ons

If you live in an area where severe storms happen, you may want extra protection beyond what a standard policy includes.

Here are a few homeowners insurance add-ons that may be available:

Matching siding coverage

If a tornado damages part of your siding, some policies may help replace the damaged sections. But matching siding coverage may also help pay to replace the remaining undamaged siding so the exterior looks consistent.

Roof replacement coverage

If a tornado damages your roof, a standard homeowners policy may help reimburse you based on its current value—taking age, materials, and condition into account, up to your policy limits. Payment may also vary based on the coverage provided by your specific policy.

Loss of use coverage

Many home insurance policies include loss of use coverage, which may help cover additional living expenses if your home is deemed uninhabitable after a covered loss. Since limits apply, consider checking and updating your coverage amount for extra peace of mind.

Itemized personal property insurance

If your standard personal property limits feel too low for high-value items, scheduled personal property coverage allows you to itemize your belongings and increase coverage limits for items like:

• Jewelry
• Art
• Electronics

Want to explore more ways to help protect your home? Check out our homeowners insurance coverages page or talk to your American Family Insurance agent about options that fit your needs.

Does car insurance cover tornado damage?

Tornado damage to your vehicle may be covered if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage helps address damage caused by events that don't involve colliding with another vehicle or object, such as:

• Theft
• Animal-related damage
• Falling objects
• Natural disasters, including tornadoes

If tornadoes are common in your area, comprehensive coverage can be an important part of your protection. It’s also a smart idea to review your coverage limits and ask about any available optional coverages.

Ready to review your coverage?

Hopefully you’re feeling more confident about what insurance may cover after a tornado. If you’d like help reviewing or updating your policies, your American Family Insurance agent is available to help.

Don't have coverage yet? You can get a custom homeowners insurance and/or auto insurance quote online. You can also explore our coverage discounts.

This information represents only a brief description of coverages, is not part of your policy, and is not a promise or guarantee of coverage. If there is any conflict between this information and your policy, the provisions of the policy will prevail. Insurance policy terms and conditions may apply. Exclusions may apply to policies, endorsements, or riders. Coverage may vary by state and may be subject to change. Some products are not available in every state. Please read your policy and contact your agent for assistance.

Discount, savings and product eligibility varies based on the way you purchase insurance, by state, property type and policy form. Discounts may not apply to all coverages on an auto or home policy. Discounts do not apply to life policies. Exclusions may apply.