Does My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Storm Damage?

Homeowners insurance protects policyholders from countless perils, including fire, smoke, and explosions. Unfortunately, there is a limit to the amount of coverage that homeowners insurance can provide. If your home is damaged during a storm or natural disaster, your insurance company will only pay for the perils that are listed in your homeowners insurance policy.

​Storms and natural disasters can cause multiple kinds of property damage, and your homeowners insurance policy is not designed to cover all of them. Fortunately, ice, hail, lightning, wind damage, and fallen objects are all listed as covered perils on your homeowners insurance policy.

On the other hand, flood damage, sewer back ups, tree removal, and earthquakes are not covered by homeowners insurance. These perils can cause structural damage that is expensive to repair, which is why most insurance companies offer separate policies and endorsements for concerned homeowners.
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How Can I Prepare For Storms & Natural Disasters?If you live in an area with frequent storms or natural disasters, these tips can help you protect your home from property damage.

Take Care Of Your Home – Your home is surrounded by plants, soil, and other debris that can clog your drainage system and cause damage during a storm. Remove leaves, dirt, and debris from your yard on a regular basis and clean your drainage system twice a year. When you take care of your home, you eliminate the hazards that can cause property damage in the future.

Keep Supplies On Hand – Natural disasters can last for days, and it is important for you to keep supplies on hand that can help you weather any storm. Store bottled water, canned food, blankets, and medical supplies in your home, and make sure that they are easily accessible in case of an emergency.

Make Sure You Have Enough Coverage – Get an annual review of your homeowners insurance policy to make sure that you have enough coverage. Discuss flood and earthquake insurance with your agent, and add additional endorsements to your homeowners insurance policy if you are concerned about other perils. If disaster strikes, you’ll have the money you need to repair your home.
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Street Smart Insurance is committed to providing affordable coverage. Whether you are looking for your first homeowners insurance policy or you are shopping for a better price, our agents are ready to help. Call us at 732-462-8343 for a free quote!