Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage?

How homeowners insurance covers tornado damage

Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by strong winds and tornadoes — unless your insurance policy specifically excludes wind damage. It’s important to note that flooding, which could accompany storms that produce heavy rains and tornadoes, requires separate coverage.

There are three primary coverage types on a home policy that may apply to tornado damage:

• Dwelling coverage provides coverage for the structure of your home and any attached structures, such as decks or attached garages.
• Personal property coverage covers your personal belongings should they be damaged or destroyed.
• Loss of use coverage helps pay for temporary housing and other expenses, like laundromats and food costs, if you cannot live in your home after a loss.

Tornado coverage is usually a part of a standard homeowners insurance policy. However, homeowners living in areas where tornadoes are more common may pay more for their homeowners insurance, since the risk of damage is higher. There are no specific exclusions for tornado occurrences in the vast majority of home insurance policies, and most renters policies also include tornado coverage for personal property. However, every policy and every company is different, so reviewing your policy and talking to your agent could be an important step in your tornado preparedness plan.

Understanding home coverage for tornadoes

Given the high number of tornadoes that occur in the U.S. every year, ensuring you have tornado insurance coverage is an important step for most homeowners. Damage can be severe in some cases, and a powerful tornado can even level a house.

Most homeowners insurance policies include damage from the wind — which is the primary cause of tornado damage — as part of the basic coverage. Homeowners can take the following steps to check that they are covered for tornado damage:

• Read your policy: Rather than simply filing your insurance policy away when you receive it each year, take the time to read your policy in full. You may be enlightened regarding the details of your coverage.
• Talk to your agent: If you are unable to confirm that your policy covers tornado damage by reading the agreement, consider calling your agent or a representative from your insurance company. They should be able to advise how your policy would cover damage caused by a tornado.
• Add additional coverage: Although homeowners insurance policies generally cover wind damage, there may be situations where you have to add wind coverage separately as an endorsement or even by purchasing a separate policy. If you find that your policy does not include wind coverage automatically, you may want to consider adding it. Home insurance policies in some tornado-prone states include a separate wind/hail deductible that would include tornado damage.

If you do need to add coverage for wind damage, it should be a relatively simple process. Your agent should be able to guide you through the process to obtain coverage for tornado damage.

If you are not satisfied with your policy, it might be a good time to look around at other insurers. It’s usually easy to obtain a quote either online or over the phone. It can be worth the effort to ask for quotes from several companies so you can compare them and determine which is the best fit for your needs.

The cost of tornado insurance

The average cost of homeowners insurance in the U.S. is $2,230 per year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. Your own rate is likely to differ, however, as the cost of home insurance is calculated using numerous factors, including the amount of coverage you need, where your home is located and whether you have filed claims in the past.

If you need to add separate coverage for financial protection in the event of weather-related damage, you will likely pay extra for the endorsement or additional policy. Some insurers may require a separate windstorm deductible as well, which can be higher than the deductible on your standard policy.

Tornado damage preparedness tips

Before a tornado strikes, there are a few things you can do to prepare.

1. Check tornado strength

Understanding the strength of tornadoes, typically assessed by the Enhanced Fujita Scale ranging from EF0 (minimal damage) to EF5 (catastrophic damage), can guide homeowners in preparing their residences. Familiarity with the potential impact of various tornado intensities may help in deciding the necessary precautions, such as reinforcing structures in high-risk areas or securing outdoor items in regions less prone to severe tornadoes. While these measures could reduce damage, it's important to acknowledge that they might not fully safeguard against the unpredictable nature of tornadoes.

2. Itemize your possessions

Before a tornado hits, you may want to go through your home and create an inventory of your belongings. Record a description of your belongings and the cost of each item and store this list in a safe place (such as your bank safety deposit box) so that you will have it handy in case you need to provide it to your insurance agent or carrier. If you are able to, it may also be helpful to capture photos or video footage of the inside of your home to document your belongings.

3. Reinforce your windows and doors

Reinforcing windows and doors is a proactive measure that could significantly mitigate the damage caused by tornadoes. By installing impact-resistant windows and door systems, or using protective coverings such as high-quality shutters, homeowners may effectively reduce the risk of these entry points becoming weak spots during a tornado. This step is important because once windows or doors are breached, the increase in internal pressure can lead to significant structural damage. While these reinforcements might not guarantee complete protection against the most severe tornadoes, they are likely to provide a higher level of security for the home's interior and its occupants.

4. Reinforce your roof

Strengthening the roof structure is another essential strategy in preparing a home for potential tornado impacts. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a roof is the first line of defense to prevent damage from the severe winds of tornadoes. This can often involve enhancing the connection between the roof and the walls with metal straps, using high-quality, impact-resistant roofing materials and ensuring that shingles are properly nailed down. These measures could help prevent the roof from being lifted off by powerful tornado winds, which is a common cause of extensive structural damage in homes. While reinforcing the roof may not fully safeguard against the most extreme tornadoes, it could significantly lessen the extent of damage and protect the home's overall integrity.

5. Create a plan

Creating an emergency plan and making sure that everyone in your household understands the steps can help you feel more prepared. Tornadoes can happen quickly, so knowing where your emergency supplies are, where to shelter and how to get information could help to keep you and your family safe. Designate a location where your family can meet in the event that you’re separated during the tornado. It may be helpful to choose a place away from your home.

6. Create an emergency kit

It may also benefit you to create an emergency kit, which should include first aid supplies and medications, non-perishable food and enough water for at least seven days. If you have pets, you may also want to include all veterinary records, medications, a leash or carrier and pet food. Keep these supplies in your safe place — like a basement or room with no windows — until needed.

What to do after a tornado hits

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with everything you need to handle after a tornado strikes. To make the recovery process go more smoothly, it can help to review the damage and create an actionable list. Once it’s safe, tackle to-do items as soon as possible. It may be helpful to start by:

• Securing your property: Immediately following a tornado, it's important to secure your property to prevent further damage and deter unauthorized access. This may involve boarding up openings and covering exposed areas, which can also support your insurance claim.
• Assessing and addressing safety hazards: Safety is paramount. Before extensive assessment or recovery efforts, identify and mitigate immediate hazards like gas leaks or electrical issues to ensure the area is safe for you and others.
• Itemizing damage and losses: Once your property is safe and secure, document the extent of the damage by taking photos and making a detailed list of affected items and areas. This record is essential for tracking repairs and can be pivotal when filing an insurance claim.

How to file an insurance claim for tornado damage

If you have homeowners insurance that does not exclude tornado or windstorm damage, be ready to file a claim as soon as possible. Your insurance provider might be dealing with a high volume of claims if many homes in your area were also damaged. Filing a claim early might mean that your claim is processed sooner.

Reach out to your insurer

Contact your insurance provider or agent to initiate a claim. Inform them of the damage using available filing methods — online, via app or by phone. Clear documentation of the damage will aid the adjuster's assessment and the claim process.

Stay in touch with your insurance adjuster

You will need to stay in regular communication with your claims adjuster to know what steps they need you to take in order to settle your claim. You may need to submit an estimate for the repairs, for example, or send in your home inventory for the items that are damaged. If you are not communicating clearly with your adjuster, the claims process could be slowed down.

Keep a record of recovery expenses

Document all expenses related to tornado recovery, including temporary repairs and any costs incurred if you need to relocate temporarily. These records may be eligible for reimbursement under your insurance policy.

Consult with professionals for repairs

For repair and restoration work, it's advisable to engage reputable professionals. Ensure the contractors are properly licensed and obtain multiple estimates to ensure fair pricing and quality work. You should also make sure your adjuster approves the contractor you are hiring. Many insurers have preferred networks of contractors and direct billing so the policyholder does not have to pay for repairs and get reimbursed.

Review and update your insurance coverage

After the recovery process, review your insurance experience and coverage. Adjusting your policy based on this experience can better prepare you for future events, providing peace of mind and potentially more financial protection.

How do windstorm deductibles apply?

Transitioning from the immediate steps following a tornado to understanding the financial implications, we must consider how windstorm deductibles influence the costs homeowners may face during the recovery process.

Windstorm deductibles are specific to damage caused by high wind events, such as tornadoes, and are typically calculated differently than standard deductibles on a homeowner's insurance policy. Additionally, in tornado-prone states, insurers may have a wind/hail deductible that is separate from your standard home insurance deductible.

Rather than a flat dollar amount, windstorm deductibles are often based on a percentage of the home's insured value. This means the out-of-pocket cost for a homeowner can vary significantly depending on the policy's terms and the value of the home. For instance, if a home is insured for $300,000 with a 2 percent windstorm deductible, the homeowner might be responsible for the first $6,000 of damage before insurance coverage applies.

To illustrate, consider a scenario where a tornado causes $20,000 worth of damage to a homeowner's property. With a 2 percent windstorm deductible, the homeowner would need to cover $6,000 out-of-pocket, while the insurance policy would cover the remaining $14,000.

It's important for homeowners to be aware of their deductible amounts and how they are applied, as this information can be critical in financial planning for potential windstorm damage. Understanding these details can help homeowners anticipate costs and ensure they are adequately prepared for the financial aspects of recovery following a tornado or similar event.

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