Everything you need to know about insurance basics, like coverage types, limits, cost and more.
Does Insurance Cover Storm Damage?
As a homeowner, you can take steps to protect your home from the unexpected, like performing regular maintenance and installing a home security system. But you can’t control what the weather throws your way. Storms are unpredictable and can cause costly damage to your home and belongings. That’s why having the right insurance in place is so important: it can lessen the weight of getting your house — and life — back together after a storm.
Typically, your homeowners insurance policy covers damage from:
- Windstorms & tornadoes
- Ice storms
- Hail damage
- Lightning strikes
- Wildfires
- Fallen trees
- Power surges
We want to make sure you’re confident your homeowners insurance is there for whatever you worry about. Let’s take a closer look at storm damage and insurance so you gain peace of mind you’re protected for anything Mother Nature throws your way.
FAQs
How Does Insurance Define Storm Damage & Storm Insurance?
Storm damage is the destructive result of weather-related events. It can include damage to the exterior of your home, such as your roof shingles blowing off after a windstorm, or the siding of your home being dented from hail. Storm damage may even affect the interior of your home, like power surge damage from a lightning strike. Storm insurance is part of your homeowners policy that can help cover the cost — after your deductible — to repair or replace the damaged area.
What Is Storm Damage Insurance?
Storm damage insurance isn’t its own policy — it’s part of your homeowners policy. It’s designed to protect your finances from the expensive costs of damage to your home after a storm-related event. If your home faces damage after a storm, you can file a claim with your insurance company and they’ll send an adjuster to assess the damage to your home. After you pay your deductible, your insurance company will help cover the remaining cost up to your coverage limits.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Storm Damage & What’s Covered by Insurance?
Typically wind or tornadoes, wildfire, ice storms, fallen trees and lightning strikes have a certain level of coverage as part of a standard policy. Make sure you understand the types of storms that are covered by your specific policy before a disaster rather than after. There are additional coverages you may want to consider to give yourself a broader range of protection. Things like matching siding coverage, roof replacement cost coverage and sump pump overflow coverage are important coverages to add to better protect yourself from storm damage. Usually flood and earthquakes are excluded by your standard policy, but you have the option to purchase coverage for these types of events. Explore our coverage options below to better understand how you can choose to be protected.
How to File an Insurance Claim for Storm Damage
To help get your life back on track quickly and as stress-free as possible, we try to make the claims process uncomplicated. If you need to file an insurance claim for storm damage, you have options:
1. File your claim with your agent, online, through My Account or give us a call at 1-800-MYAMFAM (1-800-692-6326)
2. You'll want to have this information on hand: the date and time of the event, a brief description of what happened and any photos of damage done to your property.
3. After you file a storm insurance claim, our on-call team of experts will be on site as quickly as possible, inspecting the damage and making sure you have everything you need to keep your life moving forward.
Want to know more? Take a look at our tips for storm damage insurance claims.
What Coverage Do I Need?
Improve your homes storm damage protection with these optional coverages.
Matching Siding Coverage
Your insurance replaces siding damage from covered storms, but it only covers the parts of your home that are damaged. By adding this coverage, you’ll be covered to replace the undamaged siding, if matching siding isn't available, so your house’s exterior will still match.
Learn More >Roof Replacement Cost Coverage
This coverage means you’d get what it’d cost to replace your roof today, so we’ll reimburse you for the full amount to repair or replace your roof, minus your deductible.
Learn More >Sump Pump Overflow Coverage
If your sump pump system ever fails or the power goes out, water overflow may occur. And you're typically not covered for this type of damage. Having this coverage gives you that extra layer of protection.
Learn More >More on Home Insurance & Storm Damage
More on Home Insurance & Storm Damage
Do you worry about anything else when it comes to your home? Let us help give you peace of mind.
Wind & Storm Damage Coverage >
Take Control of What You Pay
Save With Smart Home Technology
Earn a discount for making your home smarter.
We’re all about proactively protecting against the unexpected. Install a qualifying smart home device or protective home system and earn a discount on your home insurance.*
Simplify & Save by Bundling
Combine multiple policies and save on your premium.
Bundling insurance is one of the easiest ways for you to save on your insurance! In fact, when you bundle your home and auto policies you can save up to 23% on both policies together.**
Home Insurance Discounts
Looking to save on your home insurance?
Earning a discount for your home insurance is easier than you think. From smart home devices to bundling, take a look at some of the ways you can lower your home insurance rate.
Looking for a Home Insurance Quote?
We’ll make sure your policy is designed to weather all types of storms.
What Else Do You Worry About? We’ll Help.
Are you covered for water or flood damage? Learn more about what types of insurance coverage in a homeowners policy from American Family can keep you protected.
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When a storm comes through and leaves your car dented or damaged, what will insurance cover? Learn how comprehensive coverage has your back through the worst of weather.
*Discount and savings amounts and eligibility will very. Some restrictions apply. Discounts may vary by state, property policy form and company underwriting the homeowners policy. Discounts may not apply to all coverage on a property policy.
**Customers who bundle auto and home insurance policies may save up to 23% on both policies together (as of October 2021). Discounts may vary by state, property, policy form and company underwriting the auto and/or home policy. Discounts may not apply to all coverages on an auto or property policy.