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Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
NPN: 21630969
Updated
The U.S. experiences an average of 1,225 tornadoes each year, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory.[1] While tornadoes can cause catastrophic damage, most standard homeowner insurance policies will cover the damage. You typically don’t need to buy a separate windstorm policy unless you live in a high-risk area.[2] [3]
It’s a good idea to understand exactly what your homeowners policy covers to make sure you have proper protection in the event of a tornado. This is especially important if you live in a tornado-prone area, like Tornado Alley in the central U.S.
We’ll give you an overview of what homeowners insurance covers when it comes to tornado damage, how windstorm deductibles work, and what to do if you need to file a claim.
Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover tornado damage.
In some high-risk or coastal U.S. states, insurers may limit or exclude wind or tornado coverage.
Policies typically don’t cover flooding due to the heavy rain that oftens accompany a tornado.
Most standard home insurance policies cover tornado damage, but exactly what your policy covers depends on your specific policy and location. If a tornado damages your home, the following coverages typically apply:
Dwelling (Coverage A): Dwelling coverage may pay to repair or replace the physical structure of your home, including your roof, walls, or windows, and attached structures.
Other structures (Coverage B): Other structures coverage helps pay for damage to structures that aren’t attached to your house, like a fence or shed, up to your policy limit.
Personal property (Coverage C): Personal property coverage may help cover the cost to replace personal items, like furniture, exercise equipment, or electronics.
Loss of use (Coverage D): If you can live in your home due to damage from a tornado, loss of use coverage can help cover additional living expenses, including hotel stays and restaurant bills. Make sure you save all of your receipts for reimbursement.
Debris removal: If debris falls on your roof or garage because of a tornado, your homeowners policy will typically cover it.
Policies typically don’t cover floods because of the heavy rainfall that often accompanies a tornado. If you want protection against flooding, you’ll need to purchase a separate policy through a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program.
Make sure you have the coverage you need if you’re concerned about tornado damage.
Your home insurance policy might have a separate deductible for windstorm claims — especially if you live in a high-risk area. Windstorm deductibles are separate from your standard home insurance deductible and might be a set amount or a percentage of your home’s insured value. Percentages generally range from 1% to 5%.
For example, if you insure your home for $300,000 and have a 5% deductible, you’ll need to pay $15,000 before your insurance covers the remaining amount.[4]
Your coverage limits are the most your insurer will pay for a covered loss. Your coverage limits should reflect your home’s replacement cost, not its actual cash value (ACV). Replacement cost is the cost to repair or rebuild your home with similar materials at the current market costs. ACV is how much your home costs to replace, minus depreciation.[5]
While many homeowners insurance policies cover damage from high winds, you may want flood or windstorm insurance to fill in any gaps. The following table compares what each type of insurance covers, common exclusions, and average costs.
Coverage Type | What It Covers | What It Doesn’t Cover | Average Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeowners insurance | Damage to the structure of your home, other structures, personal property coverage, loss of use, and debris removal due to wind; water damage as a result of wind damage | Wind and hail damage in high-risk areas; flooding, maintenance damage, sewer backup | $2,601 per year |
| Flood insurance | Damage to the structure of your home and personal property coverage due to river overflow and flash flooding | Water damage as a result of wind damage, vehicles, belongings kept in the basement, landscaping, and loss of use | $820 per year |
| Windstorm insurance | Damage to the structure of your home and personal belongings from wind events, like a tornado | Flooding | $2,480 per year |
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The average cost of windstorm insurance is $2,480 per year, according to rates from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Your personal rates can vary based on several factors, including your home’s age and value, coverage amount, roof type, and location.
Rates tend to be higher in areas with greater risk. The area with the highest risk of tornadoes is known as Tornado Alley. It includes Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
To try to lower the cost of tornado insurance, most insurers offer discounts for bundling your home and auto insurance. You can also raise your deductible — just make sure you can afford the extra out-of-pocket expense if you file a claim. Making your home more wind-resistant, like installing impact-resistant windows and shingles, can also reduce your rates.
Home insurance premiums are typically more expensive in tornado-prone areas due to higher claim frequency and rebuilding costs. Higher costs aren’t only from the risk of tornadoes but also from other risks like wind, hail, and severe storms.
Even if you live in a high-risk area, you can reduce your insurance premiums. Comparing home insurance quotes from multiple companies can help you find the best rates and the right insurance for your needs. As with windstorm coverage, bundling insurance, increasing your deductibles, and asking about other discounts can help you lower your costs.
State | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $128 |
| Wyoming | $145 |
| Ohio | $148 |
| Indiana | $187 |
| Montana | $204 |
| North Dakota | $216 |
| Illinois | $217 |
| Minnesota | $222 |
| South Dakota | $233 |
| Iowa | $234 |
| Missouri | $245 |
| Colorado | $269 |
| New Mexico | $277 |
| Arkansas | $304 |
| Kansas | $334 |
| Nebraska | $334 |
| Texas | $392 |
| Oklahoma | $480 |
In many cases, standard homeowners insurance policies include tornado coverage or offer it as an add-on. To purchase tornado coverage, follow these steps:
Determine how much coverage you need. Estimate how much coverage you need to rebuild your home and replace your personal belongings. Consider if you need any additional types of coverage, like flood insurance.
Shop around. Compare quotes from several insurers to find the best price and the right policy for your needs. You can also compare insurers based on coverage type and limits, deductible options, discounts offered, and customer reviews.
Confirm covered perils. Make sure you read the fine print of your policy terms to confirm whether it includes tornado damage. Also, check to see whether it has a separate deductible for windstorm claims.
Buy the policy. Once you’ve selected an insurer and coverage, you can purchase the policy. Keep your policy documents handy for reference, and save your insurer’s customer service number.
In some high-risk or coastal states, insurers may limit or exclude wind or tornado coverage. Many U.S. states have created state wind pools to make windstorm insurance widely available and more affordable. These are often considered last-resort options for homeowners who can’t get coverage through a private company.
For example, Florida has the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, which offers wind-only policies to eligible homeowners in certain areas of the state. These policies exclusively cover damage from hail and windstorms.
Wind pool policies typically have higher premiums and deductibles, and stricter coverage limits compared to private insurance. To purchase coverage through your state’s wind pool, you can contact a licensed insurance agent.
Compare quotes starting at $362 per month.
If a tornado damages your home, follow these steps:
Prioritize everyone’s safety. Before you assess any damage to your home, check yourself and your family for injuries. If someone’s hurt, contact emergency medical services.
Assess the damage. Survey your home, yard, and other structures to estimate the extent of damage. Inside your home, check your utility lines and appliances. If you have a home inventory, you can use it to assess your personal property losses.
Secure the property. To prevent theft or further loss, make any needed temporary repairs. Keep all of your receipts for reimbursement.
Document everything. Take pictures of everything so you have evidence of the damage.
Save receipts and records. Don’t throw anything away until you’ve talked with your insurance adjuster. Your insurer may reimburse you for related expenses.[6]
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Here’s a step-by-step overview of how the tornado insurance claims process works:
Make sure everyone is safe. Your personal safety and the safety of those around you is your first priority. Before you worry about the damage to your home and property, make sure no one is injured or needs medical attention.
Document the damage. Once the tornado is over and it’s safe to take a look around, take photographs and videos of the damage to your home. For instance, if a tree fell on your roof, take a picture of the roof damage and the tree.
Prevent more losses. After documenting all the damage, make temporary repairs if needed to avoid further damage. Make sure you save your receipts for reimbursement.
Contact your insurer. To file a claim, you can call your insurer, use the online claims portal, or mobile app. Complete any necessary documentation as soon as possible.
Meet with the adjuster. Your insurance company should arrange for an adjuster to come and check your home. They’ll inspect your property damage and determine what the insurance company will cover.
While you can’t avoid a tornado, you can help reduce potential damage. Here are some tips to prepare your home for tornadoes:
Upgrade your roof. Use impact-resistant shingles, and install hurricane clips or steel straps to protect your roof from wind and debris.
Update your windows. Install permanent storm shutters or impact-resistant windows to protect them from damage.
Anchor outdoor structures. Whether it’s a porch, deck, fence, or shed, make sure you anchor it in place so it doesn’t become a hazard in high winds.
Trim your trees. To prevent broken limbs from falling on your house, regularly trim or remove trees that could fall on your home.
Improve your garage door. Consider investing in an impact-resistant door because flying debris can easily damage a standard garage door.
Having the right insurance coverage in place before a tornado is the best way to protect your home. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about tornado coverage.
Tornado insurance covers damage to your home and personal belongings related to a tornado. It’s typically part of a standard homeowners policy. It also covers additional living expenses if you need to stay somewhere else temporarily.
Most standard home insurance covers tornado damage. In some high-risk or coastal states, your insurer may limit or exclude wind or tornado coverage. To ensure you have the protection you need, make sure you understand what your homeowners coverage includes.
Standard homeowners policies typically include tornado insurance. On average, homeowners insurance costs $239 per month for $300,000 worth of dwelling coverage. But home insurance premiums are generally more expensive in tornado-prone areas due to more claims and higher rebuilding costs.
Your home insurance policy might have a separate deductible for windstorm claims — especially if you live in a high-risk area like Tornado Alley. Windstorm deductibles are separate from your standard home insurance deductible and can be a set amount or a percentage of your home’s value.
No. Flood insurance doesn’t cover water or flood damage caused by wind damage from a tornado. Homeowners insurance typically covers tornado damage, but double-check what your policy covers.
Yes. Renters insurance provides similar coverage to a homeowners policy, including coverage for personal possessions, liability protection, and additional living expenses. The only difference is that renters insurance doesn’t cover the building’s structure.
To file a claim for tornado damage, you can call your insurer, use its online claims portal, or mobile app. Submit photos of damages. Complete any necessary documentation as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing your claim.
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Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
NPN: 21630969
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