What Types of Damages Are Covered by Property Insurance

Storms can lead to many property losses, including roof destruction, interior water intrusion, and mold-related problems. Property owners often turn to property insurance policies to address these unexpected setbacks. 

If you encounter challenges with your property insurance claim, consulting our storm damage lawyers at The Morgan Law Group can help you pursue settlements for covered damages in your property insurance.

There are significant differences in property insurance coverage from one state to another, especially in areas prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, or heavy rainfall. Let’s take a look at the types of storm damages, how property insurance policies usually work, and what property owners in California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas can expect.

Understanding Property Insurance Coverage Basics

Insurance providers typically offer property owners options that protect them against certain perils, such as wind, hail, and water damage caused by storms. However, the exact provisions of a property insurance policy can vary. 

Common protections might include:

• Wind Damage: Storms with heavy gusts can blow off shingles, damage siding, or break windows. Most property policies include wind provisions, but some states – especially those prone to hurricanes – have separate deductibles for wind events.
• Hail Damage: Hail can dent roofs, crack windows, and harm outdoor property. Many insurance contracts treat hail as a specific peril, with coverage limits or particular deductibles.
• Lightning: When lightning strikes a property, it can cause electrical damage or fires. Residential policies generally cover losses caused by fires originating from lightning.
• Falling Objects: Intense storms sometimes include heavy rains and gusts strong enough to topple trees or send debris onto a home. A comprehensive storm damage insurance plan might address repairs for roof penetrations and other structural harm.

Coverage nuances exist in the policies available to California residents who might deal with heavy rainfall and mudslides, as well as Floridians who often face hurricane conditions. The same applies to Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, where different regulatory guidelines and geographical features come into play.

Common Types of Storm Damages Covered 

The types of storm damages that insurance policies typically cover include:

Roof and Structural Harm

High winds, hail, and lightning frequently affect roofs, leaving property owners with missing shingles, punctures, or leaks. Structural damage may include cracks in walls, broken windows, and compromised foundations. 

Standard insurance coverage for storm damage often includes these areas, but policies may place limitations on older roofs or specific building materials. In hurricane-prone regions like Florida and Louisiana, a separate wind deductible might apply. Reviewing the deductible terms is crucial for understanding out-of-pocket costs if property owners need to file a claim.

Mold and Mildew

Moisture problems can sometimes lead to mold and mildew. Storm damage that triggers roof leaks or structural openings can create an environment for mold growth if left unaddressed. 

Policies can vary in whether mold remediation is included. Some have strict caps on how much they will pay for mold-related restoration. Checking the specific property insurance policy language helps clarify any limitations or steps needed to validate that the mold resulted from a covered storm event.

Personal Property Damage

In many cases, property insurance coverage extends to personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, or clothing. If wind-driven rain or fallen trees damage these items, a claim can typically include compensation. 

However, insurers usually determine payouts for personal property based on either actual cash value or replacement cost. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation from the final settlement, while replacement cost pays to replace or restore the damaged items to their original condition.

Additional Living Expenses

If damage is so severe that a home becomes uninhabitable, certain storm damage insurance policies include coverage for temporary accommodations, food, and other relevant expenses. This benefit, often called “Loss of Use” or “Additional Living Expenses,” can be helpful for property owners trying to sustain regular routines while restoring their homes after a major wind or hail event.

By carefully reviewing policy details and understanding the specific coverage and limitations, you can ensure you receive the necessary support to restore your property and lives after a storm.

Factors Affecting Storm Damage Insurance Claims Payouts

The amount you receive from your insurance company for storm damage depends on several critical factors. Deductibles, policy limits, exclusions, documentation, and the timing of your property insurance claim all play a role in determining the final payout. 

Deductibles

Many property insurance policies include specific deductibles that apply separately to wind or hurricane-related damage. This means that if your property is affected by such events, you may need to pay a predetermined amount out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. 

Policy Limits

Each property insurance contract establishes maximum payout amounts for various categories of losses, including structural damage to your property and damage to personal belongings. These policy limits define the ceiling for what your insurer will cover in the event of a storm-related incident.

Exclusions

Standard property insurance policies may exclude coverage for certain types of events, such as earthquakes, or mudslides. These exclusions mean that damages resulting from these specific natural disasters are not covered under your regular policy, necessitating the purchase of separate or additional coverage to protect against such risks.

Documentation

Having thorough and detailed documentation of any storm damages sustained is critical in expediting the property insurance claims process. This includes taking clear photographs of affected areas, preserving receipts for repairs and replacements, and obtaining detailed repair estimates from licensed contractors. 

Prompt Reporting

Reporting storm damage to your insurance company as soon as possible is essential to minimize complications and potential disputes regarding the origin or severity of the damage. Prompt reporting ensures that your claim is registered in a timely manner, allowing for a quicker assessment and faster initiation of the payout process. 

From knowing your policy’s deductibles and limits to ensuring thorough documentation and timely reporting, preparation is key. Taking the time to review your policy and understand how each aspect affects your claim can help you avoid unnecessary disputes and maximize your coverage when it matters most.

Consult a Storm Damage Lawyer About  Your Policy’s Coverage

If you need assistance clarifying what your storm damage insurance includes. The Morgan Law Group’s storm damage attorneys stand ready to represent storm damage claims involving hurricanes, hailstorms, and high-wind events. With legal counsel dedicated to property owners’ interests, there is an opportunity to pursue the maximum compensation allowed by a policy. 

Call us at (866) 969-4968 or complete our online form to schedule your free case evaluation.