Updated: October 16, 2025
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Homeowners insurance covers structural and personal property damage caused by hurricane winds, hail and flying debris.
In states prone to hurricanes, a hurricane deductible may be required. This is a special out-of-pocket amount paid based on a percentage of your home’s value.
Hurricanes caused $43.7 billion in insured losses in 2024, making them the costliest natural disasters of the year.
Homeowners insurance covers damage from hurricanes that are caused by wind, hail or falling objects. However, coverage can vary by state or insurer and some coastal areas may require a separate hurricane or windstorm deductible.
Most standard home insurance policies cover these types of hurricane damage.
Homeowners insurance covers rain-induced damage caused by high winds and hail, including torn-off shingles, dented siding and broken windows. If strong gusts, hailstones or flying debris compromise your home’s structure, repairs or replacement are generally included.
If a tree, branch or other debris falls onto your home during the storm, your policy usually pays for the cost to repair the damage.
Rain that enters your home through wind-created openings, such as a broken roof, window or wall, is covered under most standard policies. However, if water enters due to flooding or poor drainage, that damage isn’t included.
When a hurricane leaves behind wreckage from covered perils like wind damage, your insurer usually pays for cleanup costs. This can include removing fallen trees, branches and other debris from your property.
While homeowners insurance covers many types of hurricane damage, it doesn’t protect against every loss a storm can cause. Certain exclusions require separate policies or endorsements to be fully covered.
While standard homeowners insurance covers water damage, it does not cover damage from flooding or a storm surge. You’ll need a separate flood insurance policy for protection against rising water or coastal flooding.
Damage from a power outage, such as spoiled food or appliance failure, is often excluded unless the outage directly damages your property.
Water backing up through sewers or drains isn’t covered without a specific endorsement. Adding this optional coverage can protect against costly cleanup and repairs.
If damage results from failing to secure your home before a hurricane. For example, if you leave windows open or do not repair known roof issues, your claim may be denied. Insurers generally expect reasonable storm preparation and maintenance before the storm hits.
Landslides, mudslides and erosion triggered by hurricanes aren’t covered under standard policies. These require separate coverage, such as earthquake or earth movement insurance.
Homeowners insurance includes several types of coverage that can help you recover after a hurricane. Each type offers protection for a different part of your home and helps safeguard your finances when disaster strikes.
Dwelling coverage covers your home's structure, including the roof, walls and foundation, if they’re damaged by wind, hail or flying debris during a hurricane. For example, if high winds tear off part of your roof, dwelling coverage helps pay for repairs or rebuilding.
Detached structures on your property, such as fences, sheds or detached garages, are protected under other structures coverage. If a fallen tree crushes your backyard shed during the storm, your policy can help replace it.
Personal property coverage pays to repair or replace belongings damaged by covered perils during a hurricane, such as furniture, electronics and clothing. Say wind-driven rain enters through a broken window and ruins your couch. Personal property coverage reimburses you for the damage.
If your home becomes uninhabitable after a hurricane, loss of use coverage pays for temporary housing, meals and related costs while repairs are made. For example, if major wind damage forces you to stay in a hotel for two weeks, your insurer covers those living expenses.
Liability coverage protects you financially if someone is injured on your property during a hurricane and you’re found legally responsible. For instance, if debris from your home injures a neighbor, liability coverage can help pay for their medical bills or legal costs.
Home insurance covers a number of natural disasters, but hurricanes often come with a special deductible that determines how much you pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. A hurricane deductible applies specifically to damage caused by hurricanes and is usually higher than your standard deductible.
These deductibles are based on a percentage of your home's insured value, often between 1% and 5%. For example, if your home is insured for $300,000 and your policy has a 2% hurricane deductible, you’d pay $6,000 before your insurer covers the rest.
Hurricane deductibles usually apply only when a storm meets your state’s definition of a hurricane, such as one declared by the National Weather Service. They’re common in coastal states where hurricane risks are higher, helping insurers manage the financial impact of widespread storm damage.
Your standard policy won't cover everything. Add-on coverages (called endorsements) protect against floods, sewer backup and storm damage to your belongings.
Flood Insurance | Covers water damage from flooding or storm surge, which standard homeowners policies exclude. It helps pay to repair or replace your home and belongings after rising water enters your property. |
Sewer or Water Backup Coverage | Provides coverage for water damage caused by drain, sewer, or sump pump backups, which often happen after heavy rain or power interruptions. |
Extended or Guaranteed Replacement Cost | Ensures your home is rebuilt to its previous condition even if construction costs rise after a major hurricane. It covers rebuilding expenses beyond your policy’s dwelling limit. |
Scheduled Personal Property Coverage | Provides higher limits and broader protection for valuable items like jewelry, electronics or collectibles that might be damaged during a storm. |
Debris Removal Endorsement | Increases the amount your insurer will pay to remove fallen trees, branches and storm wreckage beyond the standard policy limit. |
Loss Assessment Coverage (for condo owners) | Helps pay for your share of hurricane-related damage to shared areas, like a condo roof or exterior walls, when the association’s master policy doesn’t fully cover the loss. |
Hurricanes are among the most damaging and expensive natural disasters in the United States. Data from the Insurance Information Institute (III) shows how devastating these storms can be for both homeowners and insurers.
Tropical cyclones caused an estimated $121.6 billion in economic losses and $43.7 billion in insured losses across the U.S., more than any other type of natural catastrophe that year.
Six of the 10 most expensive natural disasters on record are hurricanes, led by Hurricane Katrina (2005) with an inflation-adjusted insured loss of $104.5 billion, followed by Hurricane Ian (2022) at $57.2 billion.
Annual insured losses from U.S. natural catastrophes have nearly quadrupled since 2015, climbing from $30.7 billion (in 2024 dollars) to $112.8 billion in 2024, reflecting more frequent and severe weather events.
Tropical cyclones in 2024 caused 328 fatalities nationwide, underscoring both the physical and financial risks hurricanes pose to homeowners and insurers alike.
Source: Insurance Information Institute
Homeowners insurance can help cover many types of hurricane damage, from roof repairs to temporary housing costs. Still, it won’t pay for flooding or storm surge, which require separate coverage. With storms growing more frequent and costly, reviewing your policy and understanding your hurricane deductible can make a major difference in how well you recover after a storm.
Understanding how homeowners insurance handles hurricane damage can help you avoid surprises when filing a claim. Below are answers to common questions about what’s covered, what’s not and how hurricane deductibles work.
No, standard homeowners or hurricane insurance does not cover flooding or storm surge. You’ll need a separate flood insurance policy to protect against rising water or coastal flooding.
No. Hurricane insurance covers wind-related damage, while flood insurance protects against water damage caused by overflowing bodies of water or heavy rainfall.
A hurricane deductible applies only when the National Weather Service or a state agency officially declares a storm a hurricane. It covers wind-related damage caused by that event.
Document the damage with photos, prevent further loss if possible and contact your insurer right away to start the claims process. Save receipts for temporary repairs and living expenses.
Generally, it doesn’t. But if your home is unlivable after covered hurricane damage, loss of use coverage can help with temporary housing, meals, and other daily expenses.
No. Renters need renters insurance to cover personal belongings and liability, while condo owners need condo insurance (HO-6) to protect the interior of their unit and personal property.
Yes. You can purchase optional endorsements, such as flood insurance, sewer backup coverage or extended replacement cost, to close gaps left by a standard homeowners policy.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
