Tornadoes and wind are usually covered
Most homeowners policies cover wind and hail damage, including tornadoes. That typically includes the house, detached structures like a shed or fence, and your belongings. Many policies also pay additional living expenses, such as a hotel and meals, if your home cannot be lived in while it is repaired. Check your deductible: some policies use a separate wind or hail deductible, often a percentage of your home's insured value instead of a flat dollar amount.
Flood is not covered by a standard policy
Rising water from heavy rain, overflowing creeks or rivers is excluded from standard homeowners and renters policies. Flood coverage is a separate policy. Through the National Flood Insurance Program, a home can be insured for up to $250,000 on the building and $100,000 on contents, and coverage usually starts 30 days after you buy it, so it cannot be bought once a storm is in the forecast. You do not need to live in a mapped flood zone to buy it.
Earthquake needs its own endorsement
Standard policies also exclude earthquake damage. West Tennessee sits near the New Madrid seismic zone, and East Tennessee has its own seismic zone. An earthquake endorsement or separate policy fills that gap, usually with its own percentage deductible.
Your car is covered separately
Hail, falling trees and flood damage to a vehicle fall under the comprehensive coverage on your auto policy, not your home policy. If you only carry liability on an older car, storm damage to it is not covered.
Five things to check this week
Confirm your dwelling limit would rebuild your home at today's prices. Find your wind or hail deductible. Ask whether you have replacement cost or actual cash value on your belongings. Decide whether flood or earthquake coverage makes sense for your address. Take a walk-through video of your home and belongings and store it in the cloud.
This article is general information. Your coverage depends on the terms of your own policy. Call Luis to review yours.