Property owners can face serious risks when it comes to hurricanes and tropical storms. Recent seasons have featured record-warm oceans and faster-changing storms — for example, Hurricane Beryl became the Atlantic’s earliest Category 5 in July 2024 amid exceptional sea-surface temperatures (NOAA/NHC; WMO). On average, the Atlantic produces about 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes per season (NOAA/NHC climatology). If you’re a homeowner, understand how your policy responds: standard homeowners insurance generally covers wind-driven damage but excludes flood and storm surge, which require separate flood insurance (NAIC; FEMA/NFIP).
Hurricane damage is usually not covered by homeowners insurance. Generally speaking, a natural disaster will not be covered by a basic homeowners policy and you will need to supplement your coverage to protect yourself against storm damage. Supplementing your coverage is not always necessary, but may be a good idea if you live in coastal regions or areas prone to severe weather.
What’s covered, what isn’t, and how hurricane deductibles change costs
Damage due to hurricanes and tropical storms may go beyond the limits of your standard homeowners policy – be sure to check your specific policy information and ask your agent if additional coverage would be beneficial.
Homeowners insurance helps to protect your home from:
- Damage from fire, theft, or vandalism
- Hail and falling objects
- Weight of ice, snow or sleet
- Loss of (or damage to) personal property
- Personal injury liability
Unfortunately, it doesn’t often cover damage from natural disasters such as:
- Floods
- Earthquakes
- Volcanic eruptions
- Landslides
- Mudslides
- Wind and floods (at the same time)
In addition, you may need a home warranty for the following:
- Replacement of essential appliances
- Plumbing repair
- Electrical repair
- Outdoor structures, like pools, hot tubs and sheds
You can read more about hurricanes and insurance from the Insurance Information Institute. Also see the NAIC’s hurricane guidance for what wind covers versus excluded flood and how special deductibles work.
Flood insurance: who needs it, what it costs, and when coverage starts
Flood damage can get expensive. Even an inch of water on your flooring can do irrevocable damage and make your home uninhabitable in a matter of minutes. Although the likelihood of flooding does depend in part on your home’s location, it’s important to remember that flooding can happen anywhere.
According to the NOAA, there are fourteen states that are estimated to accumulate $1 billion worth of property damage within the next decade or so from flooding. You may be required to purchase additional flood insurance if you live in any of the following states (in no particular order): Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
If you’re at risk for flooding during hurricane season – you’ll want to get flood insurance through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Once you secure a policy with an insurer participating in NFIP, you’ll be subject to a 30-day wait period by the U.S. government until the coverage begins. Coverage doesn’t just roll over either. You need to be proactive and renew at the end of your policy period.
Before hurricane season: coverage and mitigation checklist
- Learn the ins and outs of flood insurance and where to buy it
- Install hurricane shutters (which might also yield wind mitigation discounts)
- Talk to insurance agents to figure out what coverage you need to protect your home and everything in it
- Shop around for quotes
Common hurricane insurance questions
If a tree falls in my yard, is it covered?
It depends. If a tree falls in your yard as a result of high-speed winds, lightning strike, or a severe storm and damages your home, garage, or fence, or those of your neighbors, your insurance company will usually pay for the damages and removal of the tree.
If that same falling tree doesn’t cause any damage when it falls in your yard, though, you’ll probably have to bear the cost of removing it yourself. Any trees that fall into the street will likely be the city’s responsibility.
Does homeowners insurance cover rain that gets in after wind damage?
In most cases, yes. If your roof is damaged (or missing) after an intense storm and rain reaches the interior of your home, most homeowners insurance policies will cover the damage.
Is storm surge covered by homeowners insurance?
Your homeowners insurance policy will typically not cover damage from a storm surge – an unusual rise in water levels caused by a storm. A better route for protection from hurricane-induced storm surge damage is with flood insurance.
