Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Natural Disaster Damages?

Homeowners insurance covers certain natural disasters, such as fire, wind and hail, but floods, earthquakes and landslides need separate policies or endorsements.

Find out if you're overpaying for homeowners insurance below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: January 5, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

Homeowners insurance covers natural disasters such as fire, wind, hail, windstorms, lightning and volcanic eruptions.

Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and sinkholes require separate home insurance endorsements to ensure your financial protection.

Landslides and dust storms are not covered by homeowners insurance policies.

What Natural Disasters are Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Home insurance covers a range of natural disasters, such as fire, wind and hail, but there are limits and it depends on the type of home insurance you have.

Types of Home Insurance

HO-1: Covers your dwelling only against a short list of named perils; personal property is not usually covered.
HO-2: Covers both your dwelling and personal property, but only for specific named perils listed in the policy.
HO-3: Covers your dwelling on an open-peril basis and personal property for named perils only.
HO-5: Covers both your dwelling and personal property on an open-peril basis.


Windstorms (Including Tornadoes)
Hail
Lightning
Fire and Wildfires
Explosions
Weight of Ice, Snow or Sleet
Volcanic Eruptions	X
Snow or Ice Damage (In Some Cases)	X
Falling Objects	X
Sudden and Accidental Damage From Artificially Generated Electrical Current	X
Flooding	X	X
Earthquakes	X	X
Landslides or Mudslides	X	X
Sinkholes (Varies by State and Provider)	X	X
Storm Surge From Hurricanes	X	X
Tsunamis	X	X
Government-Ordered Evacuations or Acts of War	X	X
Nuclear Accidents or Radiation	X	X
Drought	X	X
Dust Storms	X	X

What Natural Disasters Aren't Covered by Home Insurance?

Standard homeowners insurance policies don't cover all natural disasters, primarily because certain events pose catastrophic risks that would bankrupt insurers if included in basic coverage. Floods, earthquakes and other high-impact disasters require separate policies or endorsements to protect your home.

Floods

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding from heavy rain, storm surge or overflowing bodies of water. You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers.

Earthquakes

Standard policies exclude earthquake damage, including foundation cracks and structural damage from tremors. Earthquake insurance is available as a separate policy or endorsement in most states.

Sinkholes

Ground collapse and sinkhole damage aren't covered under typical homeowners policies. Some insurers offer sinkhole coverage as an optional endorsement, particularly in states like Florida where sinkholes are common.

Landslides and Mudslides

Earth movement damage, including landslides and mudslides, falls outside standard coverage. You can add earth movement coverage through specialized endorsements, though availability varies by location.

Surface Water and Storm Surge

Damage from water that enters your home at ground level during storms isn't covered by standard policies. Flood insurance covers storm surge and surface water damage.

Nuclear Hazards

Radiation damage or contamination from nuclear accidents or incidents is explicitly excluded from homeowners insurance. No standard insurance product covers nuclear hazard damage to residential properties.

State-Specific Rules and Exceptions for Natural Disaster Coverage

Coverage details vary by state and insurer, so reviewing them carefully can help you avoid unexpected issues when filing a claim.

1
Hail and Windstorm Limitations
Hail and wind damage are covered perils, but insurers may impose separate wind and hail deductibles in regions with frequent severe storms, such as Texas, Oklahoma and the Midwest.
2
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Deductibles
In coastal states like Florida, Louisiana and the Carolinas, hurricane deductibles apply as a percentage of your home’s insured value. These activate when the National Weather Service declares a named storm.
3
Wildfire Coverage Restrictions
While homeowners insurance covers fire and wildfire damage, properties in high-risk areas such as California and the Pacific Northwest may face higher premiums.
4
Tornado Alley Surcharges
Homeowners in Tornado Alley states, such as Kansas and Nebraska, often have higher windstorm deductibles and more frequent premium adjustments.

UNDERSTAND PERCENTAGE-BASED DEDUCTIBLES

When a natural disaster damages your home, even the best insurance providers won’t pay for everything; you’ll need to pay a deductible first. Standard home insurance often uses a flat-dollar deductible, but natural disasters such as hurricanes, windstorms and earthquakes come with their own “disaster” deductibles that are percentage-based. This means you’ll pay a portion of your home’s insured value before coverage begins.

For example, if your home is insured for $300,000 and your windstorm deductible is 2%, you'd need to cover $6,000 in damages before your insurer pays the rest.

Natural Disaster Insurance Coverage: How You’re Protected

Homeowners insurance protects more than just your home’s structure; it also includes multiple types of coverage that help you recover after a disaster. Several parts of your policy may be triggered when a natural disaster strikes, depending on the damage and what’s affected.

1
Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A)
Covers the physical structure of your home, including walls, roof and foundation.
2
Other Structures Coverage (Coverage B)
Protects detached structures on your property, such as fences, garages or sheds.
3
Personal Property Coverage (Coverage C)
Financially protects your belongings, such as furniture, electronics, clothing and appliances.
4
Loss of Use Coverage (Coverage D)
Pays for additional living expenses if you’re temporarily displaced from your home due to a covered disaster.
5
Liability Coverage (Coverage E)
Provides financial protection if someone is injured on your property or you cause accidental damage to others.
6
Medical Payments to Others (Coverage F)
Covers minor medical expenses if a guest is injured on your property.

Natural Disaster Insurance for Commonly-Excluded Perils

Floods, earthquakes and sinkholes aren’t covered by standard homeowners insurance, even though they can cause serious damage to your home. Adding specific endorsements or separate policies can protect you if you live in a high-risk area. These optional coverages are important in states prone to extreme weather or geological activity.

Flood Coverage

Flood insurance covers damage from rising water, storm surge and flash flooding that aren’t included in standard home insurance policies. It’s available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers and is crucial for homes in FEMA-designated flood zones.

Earthquake Coverage

Earthquake insurance pays to repair or rebuild your home and replace belongings after seismic activity. It’s usually sold as a separate policy or endorsement and is essential in earthquake-prone regions like California.

Landslide or Mudslide Coverage

Standard home insurance excludes earth movement, but a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy can cover landslides, mudslides and similar ground shifts. This coverage is especially important for homes built on hillsides or near unstable terrain.

Sinkhole Endorsement

A sinkhole endorsement covers sudden ground collapse that can damage or destroy your home’s foundation. While required in some states like Florida, it’s an optional add-on in most areas and is only available from select insurers.

Other Disaster Endorsements for Extra Protection

If you live in a disaster-prone area and want extra coverage for covered events, endorsements or add-ons are available to help fill coverage gaps. These are useful if you have a valuable property that isn’t fully protected under standard limits or live in an area prone to severe storms.

Windstorm Insurance

Windstorm insurance provides additional coverage for wind-related damage, especially in coastal or hurricane-prone regions where standard policies may have exclusions or separate deductibles. It can help cover repairs from high winds, flying debris or wind-driven rain.

Scheduled Personal Property

This endorsement increases coverage limits for high-value items like jewelry, electronics, fine art or collectibles. It also expands protection beyond named perils, often covering accidental loss or mysterious disappearance.

Sewer Backup Coverage

This add-on covers damage caused by backed-up drains, sump pump failures or sewage overflow. It’s especially important in older homes or areas with heavy rainfall where sewer systems may become overwhelmed.

Home Insurance and Natural Disaster Statistics

MoneyGeek’s review of 2024 data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that severe storms caused most insured losses in the U.S., followed by tropical cyclones and wildfires. In total, natural disasters led to $112.6 billion in insured property losses.


Severe Convective Storms	49	99	$53.9 billion
Tropical Cyclones	5	328	$43.7 billion
Wildfires, Droughts and Heatwaves	9	1,033	$5.5 billion
Flooding	12	27	$5.3 billion
Winter Weather	6	89	$4.0 billion

Natural Disaster Protection Under Homeowners Insurance: Bottom Line

Homeowners insurance covers many natural disasters, including fire, wind and hail. However, damage from earthquakes, floods and similar events requires separate coverage. Review your policy, assess your local risks and explore endorsements or stand-alone policies to protect you from natural threats. Get quotes from multiple insurers to find the best and most affordable coverage for your needs.

Disaster Damage and Home Insurance Policies: FAQ

Natural disasters are unpredictable, but your coverage doesn't have to be. Here are answers to common questions about how homeowners insurance protects against them.

What natural disasters are most commonly excluded from home insurance?

Floods, earthquakes, mudslides and sinkholes are usually excluded.

Are disaster deductibles different from my regular home insurance deductible?

Yes. Disaster deductibles are often percentage-based and apply only to specific perils like hurricanes, windstorms or earthquakes.

Will homeowners insurance cover temporary housing after a disaster?

Yes, if the event is covered, your policy’s loss of use coverage can help pay for hotel stays, meals and other living expenses while your home is repaired.

What should I do if my insurer denies a natural disaster claim?

Request a detailed explanation in writing, review your policy’s exclusions and endorsements and consider appealing the decision or contacting your state’s insurance department for help.

Does insurance cover damage from multiple natural disasters at once?

It depends on your policy and the cause of damage. If multiple events occur, your insurer may apply separate deductibles or assess which peril caused the damage.

Covered Perils in Homeowners Insurance: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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sources

Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: U.S. Catastrophes." Accessed October 6, 2025.