We are in the prime of hurricane season here in the lowcountry and we know that causes a bit of concern for our Papay Insurance clients and local residents.
We commonly get asked: “Does my homeowners insurance cover damage from a storm?”
While there honestly isn’t a straight yes or no answer we hope we can shed some light on the topic of homeowners insurance and storm damage.
The gray area comes from water damage. Water damage from something like a pipe bursting or refrigerator water line leak would be covered. These are considered “sudden and accidental” damages. Flooding of any type from outside sources – storms, sewers or drains, oversaturated ground, overflowing waters – will not be covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.
Storm damage can also include hail or damage from ice/winter weather. In loose terms, coverage usually includes damage from hail or snow that gets inside the home when a roof or wall is damaged due to wind. Water damage resulting from wind-driven rain is also usually covered. The coverage amount for rain, hail or ice storms greatly depends on the actual cause of the damage (ie. being wind vs a flood).
Most homeowners insurance policies include what we call dwelling coverage, which is what comes into play for hail and other ice-related losses. Dwelling coverage is the part of your homeowners insurance policy that is responsible in paying for the rebuilding or the repair of the physical structure of your home if it’s damaged by a covered hazard.
It is always good to be aware of what your particular policy covers, it’s limit and deductible amounts, and the restrictions or limitations that apply. Your limit is the maximum amount that your homeowners insurance policy will pay toward a covered loss. Your deductible is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket toward a covered claim. Different levels of protection are available depending on your needs.
While there isn’t a direct answer if your home is protected by homeowners insurance from storm damage we are happy to discuss your concerns and create a policy with coverage you feel secure about. Depending on your needs additional insurance may be an option. At Papay Insurance we aim to give each of our clients confidence and peace of mind when insuring their home.
Give us a call today (843) 476-4805.
