Asteroids often make headlines around close‑passing objects like 2018 VP1, but the current risk outlook is calm. As of 2025, NASA states there are no known asteroid impact threats to Earth in the next 100 years; objects listed on the CNEOS Sentry public risk tables carry extremely small probabilities and are typically rated Torino Scale 0 (no unusual level of danger) until additional observations reduce their impact probability to zero (NASA Planetary Defense FAQ).
To keep terms straight: an asteroid is a rocky body orbiting the Sun; a meteoroid is a much smaller fragment; a meteor is the streak of light when such material burns in our atmosphere; and a meteorite is any surviving piece that reaches the ground. Earth’s atmosphere destroys most small objects long before they reach homes on the surface, and sensors record many atmospheric fireballs from meter‑scale objects every year with little or no ground damage (NASA overview; CNEOS Fireball and Bolide Data).
Recent, well‑tracked events illustrate improved monitoring: a small, roughly meter‑class object was discovered hours before it produced a fireball over Germany (2024 BX1, MPC), while larger near‑Earth asteroids made safe, closely watched flybys — including 2008 OS7, 2011 UL21, and 2024 MK. These examples, together with ongoing risk tracking via Sentry, raise a practical question: what if a rock from space damages my home?
[ Read: The Best Homeowners Insurance Companies ]
What Damage Can Asteroids Cause to Your Home?
Most objects that reach Earth are tiny and disintegrate high in the atmosphere. Damage potential depends strongly on size and whether the object survives to the ground or explodes as an airburst. NASA summarizes long‑term frequencies as follows: Chelyabinsk‑class (~20 m) atmospheric events occur on a roughly 50–100 year cadence, ≥140 m objects on ~20,000‑year scales, and ≥1 km objects on ~500,000‑year scales (NEO Basics).
Fragments that do reach the surface can puncture roofs and ceilings along a narrow path. Larger airbursts can generate shock waves that break windows or cause localized structural damage near the blast; the severity scales with energy and distance from the event. While household‑level strikes are rare, the mechanism for damage typically involves penetration, debris, and possible water intrusion until the opening is secured.
Standard homeowners policies typically list “falling objects” as a covered peril, which includes natural space debris. This can pay to repair the dwelling and covered contents, subject to deductibles and policy terms (standard homeowners insurance). If a vehicle is damaged by a meteorite or falling debris, that loss is usually handled under comprehensive auto coverage.
How Common Are Asteroid Strikes?
An asteroid is a small rocky body orbiting the Sun. Near‑Earth Objects (NEOs) are those with perihelion distance < 1.3 au; the asteroid subset are NEAs. A Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) is an NEA with a minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) ≤ 0.05 au and absolute magnitude H ≤ 22 (roughly ≥140 m), a screening threshold for closer monitoring — not a prediction of impact (NASA Planetary Defense FAQ; JPL SBDB documentation).
The statistical background risk (independent of any specific known object) indicates: ~20 m airburst events about once every 50–100 years; ≥140 m impacts about once every ~20,000 years; and ≥1 km impacts about once every ~500,000 years or longer. Over a 100‑year window, that corresponds to roughly ~60–86% chance for a Chelyabinsk‑class atmospheric event, ~0.5% for a ≥140 m impact, and ~0.02% for a ≥1 km impact. Most small events occur over ocean or uninhabited land (NEO Basics).
For known objects, NASA’s Sentry system continuously computes impact probabilities and reports Torino and Palermo scale context. As of 2025, public resources show no known object with a significant calculated impact probability in the next century; nearly all entries rate Torino Scale 0 (no unusual level of danger), and small initial probabilities usually drop to zero as new observations refine orbits (NASA Planetary Defense FAQ).
| Size of Asteroid/Debris | Level of Damage |
| Less than 25 meters (about 82 feet) | Mostly burn up in the atmosphere; little or no ground damage |
| 25 meters – 1 kilometer | Local to regional effects near impact/airburst; objects ≥140 m can cause regional to continental damage |
| Larger than 1 – 2 kilometers | Catastrophic, global effects |
Global sensors routinely detect atmospheric fireballs from meter‑scale objects; dozens are recorded each year, with most events disintegrating high above the ground (CNEOS Fireball and Bolide Data).
In an article entitled “The Probability of Collisions with Earth,” NASA explains how automated impact probabilities are computed and posted publicly; current listings show no significant threats, and most objects remain at Torino Scale 0 with probabilities that typically resolve to zero as additional measurements arrive.
The Earth’s atmosphere blocks vast numbers of tiny particles (dust to pebble size) that strike our planet daily. Improved detection and follow‑up — including radar ranging during close approaches — continue to reduce uncertainty in risk assessments (Goldstone planetary radar).
Monitoring capabilities are expanding: NASA’s dedicated infrared NEO Surveyor is designed to find hard‑to‑see dark asteroids, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory will boost discovery rates with high‑cadence sky scans, and ESA’s Flyeye telescope aims to improve short‑warning detections — all feeding into faster, clearer risk evaluations via Sentry and allied systems.
Home Insurance Coverage for Asteroid Strikes
Your homeowners insurance policy is based on a few different types of standard coverage:
- Dwelling coverage, which covers your home.
- Personal property coverage, which covers your property inside the home.
- Liability coverage, which covers legal fees related to bodily injury or property damage and paying for related losses
- Additional living expenses, which covers the cost
For dwelling (Coverage A), confirm that limits reflect current reconstruction costs and consider inflation guard and extended or guaranteed replacement cost options to buffer price spikes. Code‑upgrade (ordinance or law) coverage helps pay for required building‑code improvements during a rebuild (Insurance Information Institute; Texas Department of Insurance).
Personal property (Coverage C) often defaults to actual cash value; many insurers offer replacement cost for contents via endorsement. High‑value items may require scheduling to lift sublimits (TDI consumer guide).
Dwelling coverage is what is key for asteroid strikes because this will handle the cost of the repair or rebuild of your home should it become damaged.
Review how your roof is settled: in several markets, older roofs are more often settled at actual cash value (depreciated) unless you meet specific criteria for replacement cost; separate percentage deductibles (1%–5% of Coverage A) can apply to wind/hail or hurricane losses depending on state rules (TDI; III on hurricane/windstorm deductibles).
Additional Living Expenses (Loss of Use) reimburses the increase in living costs (lodging, meals, laundry, pet boarding) when your home is uninhabitable after a covered loss, up to time and dollar limits shown on your Declarations (III: ALE coverage). Debris/tree removal and related services often have sublimits — ask your adjuster before authorizing major work (III: fallen trees).
Because “falling objects” is a named peril in standard homeowners forms, separate “asteroid insurance” isn’t required; coverage is subject to your policy’s deductibles, exclusions, and sublimits (III).
What to Do if You Experience an Asteroid Strike
If you experience an asteroid strike on your property, your homeowners insurance will protect you with your coverage of falling objects. You should proceed with filing a claim as you would for other property damage.
- Survey the damage.
As soon as it is safe, you should carefully inspect your home and the damage. Make a detailed inventory of all losses and damages for both the interior and exterior of your home, take date‑stamped photos and video, and keep damaged items until your insurer advises otherwise (NAIC claim tips).
- Contact your insurance provider.
Once you have assessed the damage, you should contact your insurance company immediately to notify them of the damage. An insurance representative will be able to walk you through your coverage, as well as any policy limits and deductibles. Many insurers support fast digital claim filing via an app or portal and can authorize emergency services like tarping or debris removal; ask about debris/tree‑removal sublimits (III).
- Complete all required documentation necessary.
Your insurer will require you to complete certain forms in order to process your claim. Complete the forms as honestly as you can and return to your provider as soon as possible. Upload contractor estimates, receipts for emergency work, and photos/videos to speed review. Be cautious about signing any “Assignment of Benefits” that transfers claim rights; understand state rules first (NAIC on AOBs).
- Meet with the adjuster.
More extensive damages will require that you work with an insurance adjuster. The adjuster will meet with you at your home to inspect and review damages before proceeding with your claim; for some losses, virtual inspections may be used based on your documentation (NAIC).
- Repair what you can.
Once you have met with the adjuster, make whatever minor repairs that you can in order to prevent additional damages, such as clearing debris and patching broken windows. Save all receipts for reimbursement; policies generally require reasonable steps to protect property from further damage (NAIC).
- Track all expenses.
Keep all receipts for reimbursement, whether they are for repairs and supplies or hotel and food bills from temporary housing. Additional Living Expenses/Loss of Use reimburses the increase above normal living costs, up to policy limits (III: ALE). If a car was damaged, file a comprehensive auto claim (III).
When all is said and done, your claim should accomplish three different things:
- Explain what happened
- Detail what was lost
- Calculate how much is needed for reimbursement or repair
The Bottom Line
Asteroid strikes that could seriously damage a home are extraordinarily rare. Background probabilities over a 100‑year window are ~0.5% for ≥140 m objects and ~0.02% for ≥1 km, while Chelyabinsk‑class (~20 m) airbursts are more likely but usually dissipate high in the atmosphere (NEO Basics). Public monitoring via Sentry currently shows no known significant threats and Torino Scale 0 for known objects (NASA PD FAQ). Detection and forecasting are improving — with NEO Surveyor, the Rubin Observatory, ESA Flyeye, and radar follow‑up — reducing uncertainty further. Maintain adequate homeowners coverage (consider inflation guard, extended replacement cost, and code‑upgrade coverage), understand ALE limits and debris‑removal sublimits, and remember that vehicles fall under comprehensive auto coverage.
Photo by Claudio Ventrella / GettyImages
