What You Need to Know About Policy Coverage for Tornadoes and Hurricanes
Living in hurricane and tornado-prone areas means it’s very likely that you’ll need to file a homeowner’s insurance claim at least once in your life. Your homeowner’s policy is designed to protect against common types of damage, including the types of damage widely associated with tornadoes and hurricanes. But filing a claim for this type of damage isn’t always as straightforward as it should be. Your Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney knows that the more familiar you are with your policy coverage, the easier the claims process will be. Let’s take a closer look at how hurricanes and tornadoes impact your policy and your coverage.
Tornado and Hurricane Damage May Be Part of Your Homeowners’ Policy
Most homeowners’ insurance policies include coverage for windstorms and damage associated with windstorms. Since both tornadoes and hurricanes are considered to be windstorms, most policies provide decent coverage. However, every policy is different, and with the increase in the frequency of severe storms, some insurance providers are removing tornado and hurricane coverage from their standard policies.
Read up on your policy’s unique terms, conditions, and coverage types. If your policy doesn’t offer coverage, you may need to look for a new policy.
The Types of Storm Damage Most Policies Cover
Though every policy is different, most home insurance policies offer the following types of storm damage coverage:
- Hail damage
- Wind damage
- Water damage
- Fallen trees
- Lightning strikes
- Power surges
For many homeowners, the standard insurance policy and coverage will be enough to protect them from high out-of-pocket costs after a storm. However, if you’re worried about specific risk factors, you may want to reach out to your insurance agent and discuss your options. They may recommend additional coverage to ensure that your home is fully protected.
You May Need to Invest in Supplemental Policies
Notice anything that’s missing in the above list of covered events? Flood damage isn’t widely covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies. Flood damage is incredibly common, even during weaker hurricanes. But since your insurance policy is unlikely to cover flood damage, you may need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to fully protect your home. Without that policy in place, you may have to pay out of pocket to repair any flood damage on your property.
You May Need to Pay a Separate Deductible
With most homeowners’ insurance claims, you’ll pay one deductible for the damage, even if the damage results from multiple qualifying events—as can happen during a hurricane or a tornado. However, some insurance providers require homeowners to pay a separate deductible for wind damage.
Review your policy’s details and, as you head into hurricane and tornado season each year, make sure you have that deductible saved up so you can file a claim as needed without issue.
Insurance Companies May Not Offer Fair Settlements
It’s important to remember that insurance providers are businesses and it’s in their best interest to issue the smallest settlement possible for every claim. Unfortunately, this can result in settlements that aren’t entirely fair or large enough to cover the necessary repairs.
After filing a claim, be sure to review the settlement in detail before accepting it. If your settlement is fair, accepting it can be the right move. But if it’s unfair, too low, or your claim is denied when you know it shouldn’t be, appealing the decision is almost always in your best interest.
A Florida Hurricane Insurance Claims Attorney Can Help
If your claim has been denied or you’re interested in appealing your settlement offer, working with a hurricane insurance claims attorney can help. They’ll represent your interests with your insurance provider and can ensure that your provider is reviewing your claim fairly. At Parrish Law, our team is here to help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.