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.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Natural Disaster Damages?
Updated: December 2, 2025
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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?
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 | X | X |
Earthquakes | X | X | X | X |
Landslides or Mudslides | X | X | X | X |
Sinkholes (Varies by State and Provider) | X | X | X | X |
Storm Surge From Hurricanes | X | X | X | X |
Tsunamis | X | X | X | X |
Government-Ordered Evacuations or Acts of War | X | X | X | X |
Nuclear Accidents or Radiation | X | X | X | X |
Drought | X | X | X | X |
Dust Storms | X | X | X | X |
Types of Natural Disaster Insurance
There are four main types of home insurance policies and knowing the difference can help you choose the right one:
HO-1 (Basic Form)
Covers the dwelling only against a short list of named perils; personal property is not usually 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.
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.
- 3Wildfire 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.
UNDERSTAND PERCENTAGE-BASED DEDUCTIBLES
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.
Natural Disaster Insurance: Optional Add-Ons for 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.
Natural Disasters Insurance: Optional Add-Ons for Extra Protection
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.
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.
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.
- 1Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A)
Covers the physical structure of your home, including walls, roof and foundation.
- 2Other Structures Coverage (Coverage B)
Protects detached structures on your property, such as fences, garages or sheds.
- 3Personal Property Coverage (Coverage C)
Financially protects your belongings, such as furniture, electronics, clothing and appliances.
- 4Loss of Use Coverage (Coverage D)
Pays for additional living expenses if you’re temporarily displaced from your home due to a covered disaster.
- 5Liability Coverage (Coverage E)
Provides financial protection if someone is injured on your property or you cause accidental damage to others.
- 6Medical Payments to Others (Coverage F)
Covers minor medical expenses if a guest is injured on your property.
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 |
What to Do if Your Home Is Hit by a Natural Disaster
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:
- 1Ensure Your Safety First
Evacuate if necessary and don’t re-enter your home until it’s safe.
- 2Document the Damage
Take photos and videos of all affected areas.
- 3Contact Your Insurance Company
Report the damage as soon as possible to begin the claims process.
- 4Prevent Further Damage
If it’s safe to do so, take temporary steps to prevent additional loss.
- 5Track Expenses for Temporary Living
If your home is uninhabitable, save receipts for hotel stays, meals and other extra costs.
- 6Work With Your Adjuster
Be present during inspections if possible, and provide documentation.
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. 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: U.S. Catastrophes." Accessed October 6, 2025.