With the storm predicted by NOAA this year, you may be worried about your homeowners' insurance not providing coverage from storm damage. These storms leave a trail of chaos and destruction behind in their wake. It is only wise to worry about your home and whether your homeowners' insurance will cover that damage or not. This article will answer that question. First, we need to go back to what homeowners' insurance is to have a clearer understanding.

What is Homeowners' Insurance?

Homeowners' insurance is a type of insurance that protects you financially from any damage that may happen to your home during a destructive event. It covers damage to the structure of your home as well as the belongings inside the house. In other words, it covers the interior and exterior of the house.

What perils does Homeowners' Insurance not provide coverage for?

A typical homeowners' insurance will not provide coverage from earthquakes and floods due to the risks involved. You will have to purchase a different kind of insurance for that, such as the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) insurance.

What perils does Homeowners' Insurance offer coverage for?

Homeowners' provide coverage from damage resulting from

1. Theft and vandalism
2. Fire and smoke damage
3. Windstorms
4. Damage from a falling object.
5. Lightning strikes.
6. Snow, sleet, and water damage.

What is Storm Damage?

In insurance, a storm may not be your typical storm. It involves not only heavy rainfall but high winds, hail, or snow. Depending on how the storm is defined in your policy, it may or may not call the above scenario. Storm damage includes,

• Roofing tiles have been blown off
• Damage caused by lightning
• Damage from falling tree branches
• Water damage from rainfall.

 

Will Homeowners' Insurance Provide Coverage for Storm Damage?

Your home and belongings are completely covered during a storm, as stated by your policy or as defined by your insurer. Some insurers extend the coverage to outhouses, garages, sheds, and fences.

When Will Homeowners' Insurance Not Cover Storm Damage?

In some cases, your homeowners' insurance may not cover storm damage. Such damage includes floods resulting from heavy rainfall.

Filing for Storm Damage

Follow the steps given below if you already are facing storm damage:

• Reach Out to your Insurer as Soon as You Possibly Can

Let your insurer know about the damage to your home caused due to the storm as soon as possible. The earlier you can inform your insurer, the better. If you delay the process too much, you may not be able to file the claim at all.

• Always Keep Evidence of the Damage for Insurance Purposes

This is very important in filing a claim. Keep evidence in the form of pictures and videos, no matter how irrelevant it may seem. Avoid discarding any items damaged in the storm until you have spoken to your insurer.

• Process Any Urgent Repairs to Your House

If the damage requires immediate damage, like a leaking roof, you can pay for the repair out pocket to avoid further damage. However, be sure to keep evidence of your spending, e.g., the receipt. If your home gets completely damaged, your insurance has additional living expenses to provide alternative accommodations until your house is habitable. You need all the coverage you can get to protect your home from any peril fully. Weeks Insurance, Thousand Oaks, California, offers the best possible insurance policies at the best possible price. For more professional inquiries, our team of insurance experts is available to help you. Reach out to our home insurance professionals today to get a quote!