Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wind Damage?

by COUNTRY Financial

Most standard home insurance policies cover wind damage, but some don’t (we’ll explain why later). It’s important to check your policy to see if you have a wind damage exclusion.

What types of wind damage does insurance cover?

If your home insurance coverages include wind damage, the protection is provided by two main coverage types: dwelling coverage and other structures coverage.

Dwelling coverage

Dwelling coverage: Protects the physical structure of your main home. It covers the structural elements of your house, including the:

• Roof
• Walls
• Windows 
• Siding
• Foundation
• Other permanently attached features of your house (e.g., attached garages, cabinets, HVAC systems, etc.)

Other structures coverage

Other structures coverage: Covers the same structural elements that dwelling coverage does, but for other structures or buildings on your property. It’s designed to protect structural damage to things like:

• Barns
• Stables
• Sheds
• Detached garages 
• Fences

Deductibles and coverage limits for wind damage

If your home is damaged by a windstorm (and your homeowners insurance covers wind damage), there are three main factors that determine what you’ll pay out-of-pocket and what your insurance will pay:

1. Deductibles: Once you’ve filed a claim, you’ll likely pay a deductible before repairs begin. Insurance will provide coverage up to the coverage limits.
2. Coverage limits: Coverage limits are the maximum amount your insurance will pay for damage. 
3. Payout methods: Insurance companies use one of two methods to value the damage to your home: actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV). An actual cash value payout will cover the damage based on your home’s value at the time it was damaged, while a replacement cost value payout covers the full cost to repair or replace any damage.

All these factors vary and were negotiated when you purchased your homeowners insurance policy. Your monthly premium is likely lower if you agreed to a higher deductible, but insurance will pay less for any claims. Similarly, agreeing to lower coverage limits can also lower your premium, but you could pay more out-of-pocket for things like wind damage to your roof.

Final thoughts

The point is, if you’re concerned about wind damage, check your homeowners insurance policy closely—and talk to your insurance agent if needed.

Wind damage can be devastating to your home, but when you’re armed with a little knowledge, you’ll know how to navigate even the strongest windstorm.

Updated 11-4-25