Is your situation covered?
| Scenario | Typical verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Roof torn off by wind | Usually covered | Wind is a named peril on HO-3/HO-5. A separate hurricane or named-storm deductible (usually 1–5% of dwelling limit) applies. |
| Rainwater in through wind-damaged roof | Usually covered | Interior water damage after wind creates an opening is covered under Coverage A/C. |
| Storm surge or rising water flooding first floor | Usually not | Flood is excluded on every standard US homeowners policy. Needs NFIP or private flood cover. |
| Fallen tree on the house | Usually covered | Removal usually capped at $500–$1,000 unless the tree hit a structure. |
| Food spoilage after power outage | Depends on wording | Some policies include a small food-spoilage limit ($500) only if the outage is caused by an on-premises event. |
| Pool cage / screen enclosure (FL) | Depends on wording | Often written on a limited or named-peril basis — check endorsements HO 04 96 or state-specific screen-enclosure forms. |
General industry patterns. Your actual cover lives in your policy wording — PolicyPal reads it for you.
The short answer
Wind and wind-driven rain damage from a hurricane are covered under a standard US HO-3 or HO-5 policy, but a separate hurricane, named-storm or wind/hail deductible applies in coastal states — typically 1% to 5% of your dwelling limit, not the flat all-perils deductible. Flood and storm surge are excluded and require an NFIP policy or a private flood carrier.
How the hurricane deductible works
In FL, TX, LA, NC, SC, AL, MS, GA, VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, ME, HI and DC, insurers apply a percentage deductible triggered when the National Hurricane Center names a storm affecting your area. On a $400,000 dwelling limit with a 5% deductible, you pay the first $20,000 before insurance responds. The trigger dates and lift criteria are written into your policy — not standardized.
What PolicyPal checks in seconds
Upload your declarations page and PolicyPal reads your named-storm deductible percentage, calculates the dollar amount against your Coverage A limit, flags whether flood is excluded, and shows your ordinance-or-law and roof-surface (ACV vs replacement cost) endorsements — the four settings that decide most hurricane claim outcomes.
Common claim issues
Roof settlement on ACV basis instead of RCV, denial for pre-existing wear on shingles, unpaid ordinance-or-law upgrades, and claims split between wind (paid) and flood (denied) with the insurer attributing more damage to flood than you'd expect. Photograph everything before and after, and get contractor estimates before signing the insurer's assignment of benefits.
Frequently asked
- Do I have to pay two deductibles for wind and flood?
- Yes — the hurricane deductible on your homeowners policy and a separate NFIP or private flood deductible if surge caused water damage.
- When does the hurricane deductible activate?
- Usually when NOAA/NHC names a storm affecting your state, and stays active until the watch/warning is lifted — exact trigger is in your policy.
- Is a hurricane deductible per-storm or per-season?
- Most US carriers apply it per named storm; some FL carriers cap total hurricane deductibles paid in a calendar year — read the endorsement.
- Are contents in an unattached shed covered?
- Yes under Coverage B (other structures), typically 10% of dwelling limit, subject to the same hurricane deductible.
- What if my insurer says damage was pre-existing?
- You can dispute with dated photos, roofing invoices and a public adjuster or appraisal clause. Denial for wear-and-tear is the most common reason wind claims are reduced.
- Does mold from hurricane water get paid?
- Usually capped at $5,000–$10,000, and only if it results directly from a covered water event within a short reporting window.
Your policy is the only source of truth
Stop guessing. Check your actual policy.
Generic answers don't pay claims. PolicyPal reads your policy wording in seconds and tells you, in one sentence, whether you're covered.