Windstorm Insurance: What It Means, How It Works

Windstorm Insurance: What It Means, How It Works

Key takeaways

• Windstorm insurance protects property and belongings from damage caused by high winds, hail, tornadoes, hurricanes and similar gusty events.
• It’s commonly offered as an endorsement or rider to a standard homeowners policy and may be required by mortgage lenders in high-risk areas.
• Wind damage coverage generally does not include flooding or storm-surge losses — those require separate flood insurance and often have a waiting period.

What is windstorm insurance?

Windstorm insurance is a property-casualty coverage that pays to repair or replace physical damage from powerful winds and related hazards (hail, tornadoes, hurricanes). Because some homeowners policies exclude or limit wind-related perils in high-risk regions, carriers typically offer wind coverage as an add-on endorsement rather than as standard coverage.

How it works

• Who needs it: Homeowners in coastal, tropical, or tornado-prone regions where wind perils are common. Lenders in those areas may require it as a condition of a mortgage.
• Policy form: Usually an endorsement or rider attached to a homeowners policy; limits, deductibles, and definitions of covered perils vary by insurer and state.
• Timing: Some policies set strict time limits for filing claims after a storm. Flood insurance (for rising water or storm surge) is separate and commonly carries a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect.

Typical coverage

• Structural repairs (roof, siding, windows) and resulting interior damage when the wind breach allows water or debris in.
• Personal property inside the home that is damaged by a covered wind event.
• Detached structures such as garages and sheds, depending on policy language.

Common exclusions and limits

• Flooding and storm-surge damage — typically excluded; requires separate flood insurance (often through the National Flood Insurance Program).
• Damage to vehicles — windstorm and homeowners policies don’t cover cars; comprehensive auto insurance is required.
• Coverage details, waiting periods, and deductibles vary; read policy definitions for exactly which wind events and secondary perils are included.

Filing a windstorm claim — recommended steps

1. Act quickly. Many policies limit when you must report damage.
2. Document the storm and damage: record the storm date, save news reports, and take photos/videos from the ground.
3. Get written repair estimates from at least two reputable contractors.
4. Contact your insurer’s claims department, provide documentation, and request an adjuster inspection.
5. Consider having a contractor present during the adjuster’s visit to help ensure a complete assessment.
6. If a claim is denied or you dispute the assessment, request additional evaluations; policyholders can generally request multiple adjuster inspections.

Cost considerations

Premiums vary widely by location, home size and construction, and insurer. In high-risk coastal areas premiums can be substantially higher than in low-risk areas; estimates in some markets have been around $2,000 per year, but actual costs depend on many factors.

Bottom line

Windstorm insurance fills a coverage gap where homeowners policies exclude or limit wind-peril losses. If you live in a high-risk area (coastal, hurricane-prone, or tornado-prone), evaluate wind coverage carefully, confirm whether your lender requires it, and remember that flood and vehicle damage are typically not covered by windstorm endorsements. Read policy language for definitions, exclusions, deductibles and claim deadlines to avoid surprises after a storm.