A tornado’s wind or hail can easily and unexpectedly destroy your home and property. Your home insurance will cover the costs if a tornado damage or destroys your home. However, determining what damage is covered by your home insurance is not always simple.
Additionally, the National Severe Storms Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates about 1,200 tornadoes strike the United States each year. Tornadoes are unpredictable, so it’s vital to understand what losses your home insurance policy covers in their aftermath. Furthermore, depending on your location, policy type, and the source of the damage, your home insurance may or may not cover tornado damage to your property.
Does Home Insurance Cover Tornado Damage
A basic home insurance coverage will cover tornado damage and other wind-related hazards. The policy also covers wind, rain, and tree damage. It does not give flood protection, but it may cover mold damage. If a tornado causes your home to flood, you should get flood insurance.
Three basic coverage kinds make up home insurance.
Dwelling coverage
A home policy’s dwelling insurance protects a home’s physical structure. For instance, this coverage covers the cost of rebuilding a home destroyed by a storm. A deck or garage are examples of other buildings that are covered by your home policy. A shed or fence are examples of detached structures that are covered by the policy.
Dwelling insurance limits are based on rebuilding costs, not real estate market value. Insurance companies adjust coverage annually. Extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage offers a cushion in case of surges in construction costs, such as during tornadoes.
Personal property coverage
If your possessions are damaged, personal property insurance will cover the cost of replacement or repair. This covers a wide range of goods, including carpets, furniture, appliances, jewelry, toys, kitchenware, and wall art. Home insurance policies typically limit personal property coverage to a percentage of the dwelling. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a comprehensive house inventory for efficient management and disaster coverage.
Additional living expenses
Home insurance policies cover additional living expenses (ALE) such as hotels, meals, laundry services, and pet boarding in the event of a calamity like tornado damage. This coverage is also referred to as loss of use.
A percentage of your home insurance premium is a standard setting for your ALE coverage. For example, if your home is insured for $300,000 and you have 30% loss of use coverage, you could be eligible for up to $90,000 in ALE. Generally, you may purchase more ALE if you require larger quantities.
Other structures
The expense of maintaining or replacing fixtures that aren’t part of the primary residence is covered by other building insurance. For example, your detached garage or fence may be damaged by tornado winds; in that case, the damage is covered by other structure insurance.
Ascertaining that wind damage is covered by your insurance is crucial because certain policies cannot. It is doubtful that you will receive partial reimbursement for repairs if windstorm damage is not covered by your policy.
How Much Does Tornado Damage Cost
The average annual cost of home insurance in the US is $2,230 for a policy that covers $300,000 in residential property. However, home insurance rates vary based on property location, coverage amount, and claim history.
The endorsement or additional coverage will probably cost more if you require it for financial security in the event of weather-related damage. In addition, certain insurance companies might demand an extra windstorm deductible, which could be greater than your base insurance deductible.
How to File a Tornado Damage Claim
It’s crucial to record the damages and study your insurance coverage before submitting an insurance claim. After that, you can cooperate with the designated adjustor to get paid back. To assist you in filing a tornado damage claim, we go over these procedures in greater detail below.
Take pictures
Once safe, take photographs of the damaged areas, including your house’s interior and exterior, as well as your belongings. These images serve as evidence of the type and extent of damage, providing valuable assistance during the claims procedure. You can keep track of broken objects if you’ve already made a house inventory.
Review your insurance policy
Before filing a claim, it is crucial to thoroughly review your insurance coverage. This can help you understand the coverage and potential out-of-pocket payments. You can also use your insurance coverage to determine what deductibles you may have.
Conduct temporary repairs
To prevent more property damage, you may decide to conduct interim repairs. For example, you can use plastic sheeting to cover shattered windows and heavy-duty plastic or plywood to fix damaged doors. But save the receipts so you have them when you submit a refund claim.
Keep your receipts
It’s crucial to keep your receipts for any costs related to temporary property repairs, meals, and transportation. Your provider may cover these costs under the additional living expenses or loss of use coverage sections of your policy.
Collaborate with the adjuster
Give the designated insurance adjuster the necessary documentation, including photos, when they visit your property. You may also make the procedure and deadlines for handling your claim more clear.
Certain plans may include a separate tornado claim deductible that is higher than the usual house insurance deductible. Your tornado deductible could be a set amount or a percentage of one or more of your policy limits. In any case, your insurer will pay for the insured portion of your claim, less the deductible.