Although there are some exclusions homeowners should be aware of. Generally, homeowners insurance covers hurricane damage. Policies usually cover damage resulting from wind, hail, and lightning, but other kinds of damage—especially related to flooding, storm surges, and maintenance concerns—may not be covered.
Flood damage is among the most important exclusions from conventional homeowners insurance. Typical home insurance does not cover flooding, regardless of its source—heavy rain, overflowing rivers, or storm waves. To guard against flood-related losses, homeowners in flood-prone areas must get a separate flood insurance policy either from a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Without flood insurance, homeowners would have to pay for any repairs or replacements resulting from flooding out-of-pocket.
Likewise missing from regular coverage are storm surges and coastal floods brought on by high winds dragging saltwater onto land during hurricanes or tropical storms. Like floods, a storm surge can seriously damage homes' water supplies; so, like flooding, it calls for a separate flood insurance coverage.
Another exclusion is earth movement or damage resulting from landslides and mudslides, which can be set off by significant storm precipitation. Usually, unless from an additional rider or particular coverage for earth movement, homeowners insurance does not cover these kinds of damage. Often offered as a separate policy for homeowners in risk-sensitive locations is landslide insurance.
Storm damage coverage also routinely excludes maintenance-related problems. Should your roof, gutters, or foundation be in bad condition from neglect and failure during a storm, your insurance provider could deny your claim. For instance, the insurer may contend that should your roof leak from rain and you neglect maintenance, the damage was caused by carelessness rather than the storm. Ensuring your eligibility for storm damage claims depends critically on regular maintenance and quick repairs.
Personal property damage could also be covered just partially. Standard insurance can include restrictions on how much they will pay to replace or repair particular items, such as electronics, jewelry, or luxury goods. Buying extra riders for valuable objects allows homeowners to raise their coverage limits.
In essence, homeowners insurance usually excludes flood damage, storm surges, earth movement, and maintenance-related problems even if it covers many forms of storm damage. Knowing these exclusions helps homeowners make sure they have the right coverage to guard against all possible hazards.