Does standard homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?

Your home insurance policy will specifically list each peril that is covered by your home insurance company. Hurricanes are a conglomerate of perils: wind, hail, and often flooding so you won’t see hurricane listed broadly on your policy. However, wind and hail are both usually covered on a standard homeowners insurance policy. Wind and hail can cause a great deal of damage in a hurricane, tearing about roofing, exterior siding and oftentimes downing trees which can cause a tremendous amount of destruction to a home. And while flooding can cause a great deal of damage during a hurricane as well, flood damage is not  covered under a standard policy.

This is why many homeowners who live in hurricane prone parts of the country will purchase a separate flood insurance policy for their home. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program and protects your home in the event of rising waters caused either by hurricanes or other natural causes.

For more information on homeowners insurance and hurricanes. visit the Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Guide. Or to learn more about Flood Insurance visit the National Flood Insurance Program website.