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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years of experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Updated
Windstorm insurance is a special type of insurance that covers damage from hail, wind, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and hurricanes.[1] In some areas, your standard home insurance policy covers storm-related damages, but you may have to pay a separate deductible.[2] But homeowners insurance may exclude wind or hurricane damage in certain areas.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about what windstorm insurance covers, what it doesn’t, and how to buy a policy.
Windstorm coverage pays to repair or replace your property if hurricanes, tornadoes, or severe wind damage it.
If you live in an area prone to serious storms, you may need windstorm insurance and flood insurance in addition to your standard home insurance policy.
A stand-alone windstorm policy costs an average of $2,600 per year, depending on the state where you live.
Windstorm insurance pays to repair or replace your home and personal property after a hurricane, tornado, or hail damages it. For example, windstorm insurance could pay to repair a damaged roof or replace broken windows after a hurricane.
Windstorm coverage is usually part of a standard homeowners insurance policy. But in areas that have a high risk of tornadoes or hurricanes, you may need to buy a separate windstorm policy. You may also be able to add windstorm insurance to your homeowners insurance.
In most areas, your homeowners insurance policy includes coverage for wind damage. But the rules are different in high-risk areas, like regions prone to hurricanes. In these areas, home insurance companies may exclude wind damage or have a separate deductible for windstorm damage.
Some states operate their own windstorm insurance programs for homeowners who are struggling to find coverage from private insurers. Usually available only to homeowners in high-risk areas with few insurers, these programs often act as a last resort. The policies have few customization options and strict coverage limits.
For example, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) is available only to homeowners in areas approved by the Texas Commissioner of Insurance who were denied wind or hail coverage by at least one insurer.[3]
Availability, coverage maximums, deductibles, and premiums for state-backed windstorm policies vary by state.
Compare quotes and save money on the coverage you need.
A windstorm insurance policy typically covers the following:
Windstorm coverage will pay to repair or replace the structure of your home, like its roof or walls.
If you have other structures on your property, like a fence or shed, your policy will cover them if wind damages them.
If the storm damages your furniture, electronics, or other belongings, your windstorm policy will help you replace them.
If you can’t live in your home due to storm damage, additional living expenses coverage can pay for the cost of temporary housing.
Your policy’s coverages may differ based on your insurer and location, so talk to your insurer about your coverage needs.
Although windstorm insurance can provide critical coverage, there are some exclusions to keep in mind:
Flood or storm surges: Windstorm coverage doesn’t protect your home against flood damage or storm surges. For example, your policy won’t cover damages if a hurricane causes waters near your home to rise and flood your property. You’d need a separate flood insurance policy to protect your home.
Water backup: If water backs up through the drains or sewers, your policy wouldn’t cover it.
Subsequent damage: Windstorm insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your property after wind damage. But it won’t cover related damage after the initial event. For example, if a hurricane damages your roof, your policy would cover the cost of repairing it. But if you don’t take reasonable steps to protect it and rain causes more damage, your windstorm insurance wouldn’t cover it.
Review your policy to find out what damages it excludes.
Separate windstorm insurance policies are more common in coastal states and regions that frequently experience hurricanes. No state mandates windstorm coverage, but some lenders require you to have it.
The table below shows the states with a hurricane or windstorm deductible.
State | Hurricane Deductible | State-Required Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | No |
| Connecticut | Yes | No |
| Delaware | Yes | No |
| Washington, D.C. | Yes | No |
| Florida | Yes | No |
| Georgia | Yes | No |
| Hawaii | Yes | No |
| Louisiana | Yes | No |
| Maine | Yes | No |
| Maryland | Yes | No |
| Massachusetts | Yes | No |
| Mississippi | Yes | No |
| New Jersey | Yes | No |
| New York | Yes | No |
| North Carolina | Yes | No |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | No |
| Rhode Island | Yes | No |
| South Carolina | Yes | No |
| Texas | Yes | No |
| Virginia | Yes | No |
Windstorm insurance costs vary by location, but average $2,800 per year. Many factors affect your premiums, including:
Location: High-risk areas that have experienced significant wind damage in the past will usually have higher rates.
Roof age and material: Roof shape and construction type affect your rates. For example, a metal hip roof will usually have a lower premium than a gable roof with shingles.
Deductible: Policies with a per-event or percentage-based deductible often have lower premiums. But you’ll usually have to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
Home value: Higher-value properties usually cost more to insure because they cost more to repair and rebuild.
Available discounts: Some insurers offer discounts for protecting your home from storms by doing things like installing hurricane shutters or impact-resistant doors and windows. Talk to your insurance agent to find out what discounts it offers.
Insurance rates tend to be higher in states with a higher likelihood of severe storms. The table below shows average monthly premiums in high-risk states, like Florida and Louisiana, according to Compare.com data.
State | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | $233 |
| North Carolina | $289 |
| Texas | $392 |
| Louisiana | $405 |
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With a standard homeowners insurance policy, your normal deductible would usually apply to wind damage. But you may have to pay a windstorm deductible if your home is damaged by a named storm, like a tropical storm or hurricane.[2]
A windstorm deductible works differently from a standard homeowners insurance deductible. Insurers usually have named-storm or percentage-based deductibles instead of a flat dollar amount. Storm deductibles can range from 1% to 10% of your home’s value.
Let’s say your home is worth $300,000 and you have a 3% deductible. In this example, your deductible would be $9,000, so you’d have to pay that amount out of pocket before your insurer would cover damages.
Windstorm deductibles may be per calendar year or per event, so read your policy to find out when your deductible applies.
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To purchase windstorm insurance or adjust your coverage, follow these steps:
Start shopping for insurance early. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, while tornadoes are most likely to occur from May to July. You should review your policy and purchase additional coverage well before those dates. Insurers may pause issuing new policies if a storm is approaching.
Review your policy’s coverages and exclusions. Your current coverage may include damage from windstorms. Review your policy to find out if it excludes or if you have a separate storm deductible. You may need additional coverage, like a stand-alone windstorm policy.
Compare quotes from private insurers and state-run programs. Get quotes from both insurance companies and state programs to evaluate costs and limits. In some states, state-backed windstorm programs may be your only option.
Choose a deductible. Although a higher deductible will lower your premium, make sure to balance affordability with practicality. With a higher deductible, you’ll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
Confirm lender or mortgage requirements. Your lender may require you to buy windstorm insurance that meets certain coverage limits.
Find rates starting at $359.
If you need windstorm insurance to protect your home, the following answers to some common questions can help you find the right coverage.
Usually it does. In many states, a standard homeowners insurance policy covers wind damage. But policies may exclude wind damage in coastal areas or storm-prone regions, so you’d need a separate windstorm or hurricane policy.
Stand-alone windstorm insurance policies range between $1,670 and $3,690 per year. But your cost may vary based on your location, deductible, and your home’s construction materials.
Some homeowners insurance policies have a separate deductible that applies to damages related to storms named by the National Weather Service or the National Hurricane Center. Windstorm deductibles are usually a percentage of your home’s value.
No. Windstorm damage doesn’t cover damage from rising water or storm surges. If you’re concerned about flooding, you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy.
It depends. If you live in a high-risk area or along the coast, your mortgage lender may require you to buy windstorm insurance along with your home insurance policy.
Yes. Windstorm insurance covers damage from hail, like broken windows and damaged shingles.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years of experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
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