Ah, summer. That season of spending time at the beach, hosting backyard barbecues, and just generally enjoying more carefree time than the rest of the year. As perfect as summer can be, it also happens to cover the exact months of hurricane season. Did you know that a standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not include coverage for hurricane damage? If not, there is no need to panic. You still have time to make sure your home is covered in time for hurricane season.
What is Hurricane Insurance?
The term hurricane insurance can be slightly confusing because real-life policies do not go by this name. Fortunately, you can still get the hurricane protection you need by investing in flood or windstorm insurance. These types of stand-alone policies offer coverage for the types of damage caused by hurricanes. As you might have guessed, hurricanes cause flooding and wind damage among other things.
Like every other insurer in the United States, Arnold Insurance Company does not cover damage caused by flooding in a typical homeowner policy. As a hurricane-prone state, most insurers in Louisiana do not cover heavy wind damage either unless the client has purchased separate windstorm insurance. Each of these policies offers specific protection from hurricane damage caused by heavy wind or rain.
Homeowners vs. Hurricanes: What Covers What
A typical homeowners' insurance policy covers only internal water damage such as furniture destroyed by water from a burst pipe. That means you need separate coverage for acts of nature that cause damage to your home. As an insurance provider in a high-risk coastal area, AIC in Alexandria, LA is pleased to offer both flood insurance and windstorm insurance to meet your needs.
Hurricane Deductibles
Just like other types of insurance, you can expect to pay a deductible on your flood and/or windstorm hurricane insurance policy. Here are three types of deductibles common to this type of policy.
- Hurricane deductible: You would only need to pay a hurricane insurance deductible if the weather service declared the storm a hurricane due to its intensely strong winds. You would not have to pay the deductible if your home sustained damage but the official classification of the storm that caused it was a depression or tropical storm.
- Named storm deductible: Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive natural disaster in the United States that hit Louisiana in August 2005, is a well-known example of a named storm. You can expect to pay a deductible if the National Hurricane Center or the National Weather Service has given the storm a name. The good news, if there is any when talking about severe weather, is that a tornado or other type of storm with strong winds does not meet the criteria for a named storm deductible.
- Windstorm deductible: If you have a separate windstorm insurance policy, you will need to pay a deductible when strong winds from any type of storm cause damage to your property.
Wade Dickson, Insurance Executive at AIC in Alexandria, LA, will help you choose the best deductible for your budget and coverage needs.
Tips for PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY IN CASE OF A HURRICANE
A hurricane can cause unbelievable damage in a matter of minutes. To make sure you have protection against such a calamity, Wade Dickson will assist you in placing a value on personal items you would want to be replaced. You should also make sure that your coverage is enough to rebuild your entire house if a hurricane were to destroy it. Since flood and windstorm policies typically come with a 30-day waiting period, we recommend that you do not delay in establishing your policies. You want to enjoy summer worry-free, after all.
How We Can Help
Wade Dickson is available now to answer your questions and make sure you have the appropriate amount of coverage. Please contact AIC in Alexandria, LA to request an appointment with him.
