Does homeowners insurance cover hurricanes?

While homeowners insurance in Lake Charles, Louisiana, isn’t required by law, it can help cover unforeseen damage to houses. Paying for damages out of pocket can be costly, and even a policy may not cover everything. Homeowners may wonder if their flood or home insurance policy covers hurricane damage.

Homeowners insurance overview

A basic homeowners insurance policy covers the structure and buildings separate from the home, such as sheds. Some basic policies cover the contents of the home for theft and damage of items such as jewelry, clothing and furniture to a certain amount.

It may provide additional living expenses if the home is unlivable until repairs are made. Another benefit is liability coverage in case of personal injury accidents on the property.

Many lenders require borrowers to have basic coverage, and some landlords require it for tenants. Premiums can vary based on the home’s location; past claim history; and things that may raise the risk of injury, such as pools. If homeowners want more than cash value coverage, they can add extended replacement costs.

Hurricane coverage

Most basic homeowners insurance policies don’t include coverage for natural perils, such as hurricanes. Hurricane damage insurance commonly must be purchased as an addition to a standard policy, but there’s no single policy for hurricane damage. States with a high risk of hurricanes may already include this coverage with a separate deductible.

Some policies do not cover flooding caused by hurricanes, so the owner will need a separate policy. To determine the risk of flooding, homeowners can check the Federal Emergency Medical Agency (FEMA) map. Basic home policies may cover wind damage, but many storm-prone states often require the purchase of a wind rider.

A home is likely the most expensive purchase a consumer will ever make. If the homeowner feels a legitimate insurance claim got unfairly denied, he or she can challenge it.