Updated: May 22, 2024
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Standard homeowners insurance policies cover hurricane damage. Specifically, dwelling coverage pays for your expenses if a hurricane damages your home's structure (Coverage A), other structures (Coverage B) or personal property (personal property coverage).
Apart from dwelling coverage, additional living expenses coverage may pay for the cost of your temporary relocation should your house be rendered unlivable due to hurricane damage.
Most, but not all, natural disasters are covered by standard homeowners insurance. In terms of hurricane damage, most homeowners insurance policies automatically cover this peril. Nearing the start of the hurricane season, you may want to revisit your policy to make sure you are protected from any potential hurricane damage going forward.
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Homeowners insurance will help cover the cost of repairs if your home or personal property is damaged by a hurricane. Most policies, however, do not cover water damage caused by flooding or storm surges from a hurricane. Here are a few examples of when homeowners insurance does cover hurricane damage.
Because you may be displaced due to hurricane damages, it's critical to understand your additional living expenses coverage. Meanwhile, hurricane damage is costly and often exceeds expectations, so if you want to be protected further, MoneyGeek recommends you inquire about extended dwelling coverage with expanded limits.
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, your insurer may impose a separate and higher insurance deductible for hurricane wind damage, or your policy may exclude hurricane coverage entirely. That’s why you have to make sure you have the coverage you require and that any insurance adjustments are made well before a disaster.
Also, because homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, you will need flood insurance to protect your house against hurricane storm surges.
Avoiding potential hurricane damage altogether is a much better option than simply getting insurance coverage to protect you from damages. Even if you live in a state where hurricanes are less likely, you should still be prepared to protect yourself from their perils.
Preparing Your Home
One of the most crucial tasks you will have to complete is preparing your home to endure a hurricane. In the event of an emergency, having basic supplies in a kit on-hand is beneficial.
Make an Emergency Plan
Staying safe requires having an emergency plan in place. Identify a safe spot on the lower floors, but not the basement, and evacuate when officials say so.
Secure Your Property
Secure anything that could be blown around or torn loose on your property. Secure windows and doors, and keep valuables and gadgets away from breakable glass.
Stock Up on Basic Necessities
Make sure to stock up on any necessary items within a few days of receiving a hurricane warning. Non-perishable foods, including canned soups, dried fruits and vegetables, crackers, cereal and protein pouches, should be available.
Many insurers — such as State Farm and Hippo — offer homeowners insurance. MoneyGeek suggests shopping around and comparing quotes from various companies to find the best deal.
Homeowners insurance costs an average of $175 per month, but your actual amount will depend on the value of your personal property. To figure out how much you will need to pay for insurance, use MoneyGeek's personal property calculator.
When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.
Clothes, shoes, bags, belts, hats, gloves, etc.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
