Making an Insurance Claim for Storm Damage

In the insurance industry, a covered peril is any event that’s covered by a homeowners insurance policy. But are storms considered cover perils? It depends.

Policies generally cover damage caused by lightning, wind, and hail, but they exclude damage caused by earthquakes and floods. Before the next storm sets in, learn more about storm damage and homeowners insurance.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Storm Damage?

As noted previously, homeowners insurance generally doesn’t cover storm damage unless it’s caused by a covered peril. The table below provides examples of what’s often covered, what’s sometimes covered, and what’s not usually covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.

Note that your policy may have exclusions that prevent you from recovering for certain types of damage. For example, it’s possible to have a policy that excludes wind damage.

Steve Glass, a homeowners insurance claims manager, adds, “Wind damage exclusions are more common in areas where hurricanes frequently occur.”

 Your insurance company may also deny your claim if damage occurs due to poor maintenance. In other words, if you could have done something to prevent the damage, your insurance company may deny your claim instead of approving it.

How to File an Insurance Claim for Storm Damage

If a storm damages your home, you need to decide whether to file a claim with your insurance company. Here’s what to consider, along with an overview of the claims process.

When to File a Claim

Filing a claim may cause your insurance premium to increase, so think carefully before you contact your insurance company. One of the most important considerations is the cost of repairs. For example, it may not be worth filing if the storm caused $1,500 worth of damage and you have a deductible of $1,000. Your deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket. In this scenario, your insurance company would only cover $500 worth of damage.

Insurance companies have access to a database with information about your previous claims. If you file a small claim, you may have to pay more for your homeowners insurance in the future. Therefore, you also need to think about the future cost of filing a claim now.

Steps to File a Claim

If you decide to move forward with a claim, follow these steps:

1. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. If you’re not exactly sure how your policy works, don’t be afraid to ask questions about storm damage and homeowners insurance.
2. Take the necessary steps to prevent further damage to your property. This is required by your policy, but your insurer will reimburse you for these expenses, so save all your receipts and invoices.
3. Submit photos, videos, repair estimates, and other documents to support your claim.
4. Stay in touch with your insurance adjuster. The adjuster is the person assigned to investigate your claim and determine if it’s covered by your insurance policy.
5. Provide additional information to the adjuster when requested. Responding quickly may prevent delays in getting your claim approved.
6. Review the insurance company’s offer and determine whether to accept it. If the initial offer is low, you may want to negotiate or hire an attorney to do the negotiating for you.

Tips to Prevent Storm Damage

You may not be able to prevent storms, but there are several things you can do to prevent storm-related damage.

Secure Outdoor Objects

Storms often come with high winds, causing unsecured objects to blow around the premises [1]. One of those objects could break your window, dent your door, or even damage your roofing shingles. If you have outdoor furniture, tie it down before a storm arrives. Put away sports equipment, pet supplies, and other items to prevent them from damaging windows, siding, and walkways.

Prevent Water From Entering Your Home

Once water gets into your home, it’s tough to get rid of it, especially if it seeps behind your walls or under your carpets. To save yourself the hassle of cleaning up after water damage has already occurred, take steps to prevent water from entering your home in the first place.

Here are a few tips:

• Seal your basement walls with waterproof compounds. 
• Install a sewer backflow valve to prevent storm-related sewer backups [2].
• Fill any gaps in the caulking around your windows and doors.
• Clean your gutters to prevent water from building up and leaking through your roof.
• Put rain barrels in your yard to collect excess water.
• Repair cracks in your home’s foundation.
• Disconnect outdoor hoses before the storm begins.
• Replace missing or damaged roofing shingles.

Change Your Approach to Landscaping

Although it’s wise to keep trees from growing too close to your home, you don’t have to get rid of them entirely. In fact, strategically placed trees can help prevent the wind from pummeling your home during a severe storm. Windbreaks, or rows of trees and shrubs, also prevent snow from creating drifts [3]. If you don’t already have a windbreak, have a local company plant trees on your property.

Keep Trees Trimmed

If you have trees in the immediate vicinity of your home or garage, keep them trimmed. Broken branches can easily turn into projectiles when exposed to heavy rains or strong winds. Removing weak branches also improves the structural integrity of a tree, making it less likely to fall over during a storm.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Home maintenance isn’t everyone’s favorite chore, but it’s something you need to do to protect your property. To reduce the risk of storm-related damage, perform these maintenance tasks regularly:

• Clean your gutters and downspouts.
• Repair or replace damaged roofing materials.
• Address drainage problems by installing a French drain, adding a drainage ditch, or taking other steps to prevent water from entering your home.
• Replace broken window shutters.

Turn Off the Water and Power

If you know a storm is coming, turn off the water and power before you evacuate. Turning off the electricity reduces the risk of fires, and shutting off the water may prevent severe water damage.

Protect Your Investment

You spent a lot of time and money finding the perfect home for your family, so it’s important to understand how your homeowners insurance works. If your home sustains damage due to a covered peril, your insurance company may cover the cost of repairs. To use your benefits, you must submit a claim and cooperate with your assigned insurance adjuster.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent storm-related damage. Conducting regular inspections, making needed repairs, and securing your home before a storm are all good ways to limit your losses.

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Reviewed by Steve Glass

Steve Glass is a retired insurance professional with over 34 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry. Over the course of his career, Steve led teams that handled property and casualty claims, auto medical claims, auto bodily injury claims, catastrophe claims and insurance subrogation recovery efforts. He also has experience as an Insurance Subrogation Arbitrator.