Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Storm Damage?

by COUNTRY Financial

Home insurance typically protects your house from storm-related damage. The amount of coverage depends on your policy, and some events, like floods, are not covered unless you purchase additional coverage.

But for damage caused by wind, hail, lightning or the other covered perils below, your standard home insurance policy generally protects your home and personal belongings.

What types of storm damage are covered by homeowners insurance? 

Homeowners insurance typically covers physical damage, water damage, and losses to personal belongings caused by storms.

Physical damage 

Physical damage to your home’s structure is protected by two coverages in your home insurance policy: dwelling coverage and other structures coverage. 

Dwelling coverage protects the physical structure of your main house, the home you live in. Other structures coverage does the same for other buildings on your property, like barns, sheds and gazebos.

Home insurance coverage will generally cover severe weather damage caused by:

• Hail 
• Lightning strikes (including resulting fires) 
• High winds or tornadoes 
• Fallen trees and branches 
• Heavy weight of snow and ice 

Once you pay your home insurance deductible, your dwelling coverage and other structures coverage will help pay for the remainder of the damage (up to coverage limits).

Water damage 

Home insurance will generally cover water damage caused by a storm. If severe weather breaches your home and exposes it to rainwater, dwelling coverage (or other structures coverage) can help pay for the resulting water damage to walls, floors and other interior structures. The same is true in the event of burst pipes during a hard winter freeze.

Standard home insurance will not cover flood damage. Homeowners need separate flood insurance for flood damage.

Damage to personal belongings 

Personal belongings inside your home can also be damaged by a storm, including furniture, electronics and clothing. Most home insurance policies include personal property protection, which pays to repair or replace damaged or destroyed items in your home, depending on your policy.

What storm damage is not covered by homeowners insurance? 

When it comes to storm damage, several types of damage fall outside what standard home insurance covers, including flood damage, earthquake damage and sewer or drain backup.

• Flood damage: Most homes aren't located in major flood zones, so there's no need for standard home policies to include coverage for flood damage. However, if you do live in a flood-prone area (or are otherwise concerned about flooding), you can purchase separate flood insurance from  The National Flood Insurance Program. 
• Earthquake damage: Ground movement from an earthquake isn't covered under a standard home insurance policy, even if it occurs during or after a storm. Earthquake coverage is typically available as a separate endorsement.
• Sump pump/sewer backup: Home insurance won't cover sewer or drain backup into your home. This can happen when large amounts of rainfall overwhelm the city's sewer system and push water into homes. There is coverage you can buy separately for this type of damage. How can I prepare for severe weather? 

How can I prepare my home for severe weather?

Not every storm causes major damage, but keeping your home well maintained reduces the risk of damage from smaller storms.

Here's a list of things to prepare your home for severe weather: 

• Regularly inspect the exterior 
  • Check the roof 
  • Inspect siding 
  • Clean gutters and downspouts 
  • Trim trees and branches 
  • Reinforce doors and windows (especially if you live in a hurricane-prone area) 
• Protect the interior 
  • Unplug electronics to prevent power surges
  • Seal cracks around windows and doors
  • Keep important documents and valuables in a safe or other water/fireproof storage
• Have an emergency plan 
  • Designate a shelter area in case of a tornado (somewhere with no windows, preferably in the middle of the house) 
  • Stay informed with weather alerts from NOAA radio, phone apps and local news 
  • As a last resort, create a plan to evacuate your home ahead of a life-threatening storm 

Talk to an agent about your storm damage coverage

Storms are an inevitable part of life. The destruction they cause can greatly disturb our lives.

But when you're armed with knowledge and preparation, a storm can inconvenience your family rather than devastate it.

If you'd like to know more about how homeowners insurance covers storm damage, talk to your insurance agent. They can help you determine how much coverage you need and answer any questions.

Storm damage insurance FAQ

Published 9-18-26