Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Natural Disaster Damages?

Natural disasters are typically covered by homeowners insurance, but which natural disaster is covered depends on the type of policy you have. There are four main types of homeowners insurance policies:

• HO-1 (Basic Form): Covers the dwelling only against a short list of named perils; personal property is not typically covered.
• HO-2 (Broad Form): Covers both the dwelling and personal property, but only for specific named perils listed in the policy.
• HO-3 (Special Form): Covers the dwelling on an open-peril basis and personal property for named perils only.
• HO-5 (Comprehensive Form): Covers both the dwelling and personal property on an open-peril basis, offering the most extensive protection.

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.

HO-1 through HO-5 policies vary in how much protection they offer, especially regarding natural disasters. Basic forms like HO-1 cover only a handful of events, while broader policies like HO-3 and HO-5 offer more extensive coverage for your home’s structure and belongings. The table below shows which types of natural disasters are typically covered under each policy type.

Floods, earthquakes and sinkholes aren’t covered by standard homeowners insurance, even though they can cause severe damage. 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.

If you live in a disaster-prone area and want extra coverage, 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.

Experiencing a natural disaster can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps immediately afterward can help protect your safety, speed up recovery and ensure your insurance claim is handled smoothly. Here's what to do if your home suffers damage from a covered event like a wildfire, hurricane or severe storm:

When a natural disaster damages your home, your insurance company won’t pay for everything; you’ll need to meet a deductible first. While standard homeowners insurance often uses a flat-dollar deductible (like $1,000), natural disasters such as hurricanes, windstorms and earthquakes usually come with their own disaster deductibles that are calculated differently.

These are percentage-based, which 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. These higher deductibles are more common in disaster-prone states and can affect your out-of-pocket costs, making it important to check your policy for any special deductibles tied to natural hazards.

Most insurance companies, including State Farm and Hippo, offer homeowners insurance. Compare different companies to find the best policy for your needs.

Homeowners insurance costs $175 per month on average. Your rates depend on how much coverage you need and how much personal property you own. Our personal property calculator below can estimate your insurance cost.

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 standalone policies to protect you from natural threats.

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.

We analyzed quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using a profile that reflects the average homeowner. We compared different locations and companies to provide reliable estimates and show why comparing rates matters.

Homeowner Profile 

Our analysis used a sample homeowner with these characteristics:

• Good credit score (769–792)
• Home built in 2000
• Wood-frame construction
• Composite shingle roof

Coverage Details 

We used these coverage limits to collect quotes:

• $250,000 dwelling coverage
• $125,000 personal property coverage
• $200,000 personal liability coverage
• $1,000 deductible

We also analyzed policies with higher coverage for expensive homes: $1 million dwelling coverage, $500,000 personal property coverage and $1 million liability coverage.