Homeowners insurance can differ slightly from company to company based on each organization’s specific policies. Still, regardless of the insurer, standard homeowners insurance will include coverage for different weather events. Extreme weather conditions might result in damages to the structure of your home or its contents. A standard homeowners insurance policy will typically include coverage for weather events, including rain, lightning, snow, hailstorm, and tornadoes.
The Extent of Weather-related Home Insurance
With a rise in the extreme and frequent weather fluctuations triggered by global warming, getting yourself covered with adequate weather-related home insurance has become indispensable.
Following are the three things you need to know about the extent of weather-related homeowners insurance.
1. Separate Coverage For Earthquakes Are Needed
Earthquakes are not one of the weather events included in a standard homeowners insurance policy. Separate earthquake coverage should be purchased if your home is located in an earthquake-prone zone. Also, most insurance companies will not sell new earthquake insurance for 30-60 days after an earthquake has occurred, so it is important to have insurance in place before an event.
2. Flood-related Damages Are Not Covered
Another weather event not covered by a standard homeowners policy is flooding. Separate flood insurance can be purchased or added to a current policy. If a home is located in a flood zone and is still under mortgage, many mortgage companies will require homeowners to carry flood insurance.
3. Hailstorms Are Generally Covered
Hailstorm is likely to occur in areas where there is dry land, particularly the desert. Hailstorms are generally covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.
Note that the time to get homeowners insurance is before a covered event happens. Make sure to shop around and read any policy carefully to know what events are covered and the related exemptions, if any.
Some Other Things to Keep in Mind
File Your Claim as Early as Possible
A little patience and persistence can go a long way in helping to get a claim started. The processing time may vary according to the extent of the damage caused. However, you must file a claim as soon as possible after a covered event to avoid potential problems.
Presenting Detailed Records Might Speed Things Up
Having detailed records of assets can help expedite your claims process. Often insurance companies will require proof that damages happened during a covered event to prevent insurance fraud. Pictures and detailed documentation are the best way to avoid delays when filing a claim.
Get Pictures of Your Property Before Rescue Work Begins
During rescue operations that follow extreme weather conditions, a volunteer/ rescue worker may accidentally remove items from the affected premises, making it harder to verify your claims. Volunteers may dispose of already damaged items without making sure that each item has been accounted for and recorded for the claim. Despite the overwhelming nature of disaster events, you should attempt to get pictures of damages immediately following the event before any clean-up work has begun.
Have the Right Amount of Coverage
Just having insurance is not enough. You must ensure that you have the right amount of coverage for your home and its content. A yearly review with an agent can verify that the appropriate coverage is in place before a disaster strikes.
Some Damages May Have to Be Paid Out of Pocket
In some cases, insurance companies may require a homeowner to pay for some damages caused by weather. This can be due to exemptions in the policy or other issues with the claim. There is also a deductible that must be met before insurance coverage kicks in. Be sure to read and understand all coverage limits and deductibles.
If you need more information about homeowners insurance and weather-related damages covered by home insurance, contact the experts at Advanced Insurance Group today. We are ready to help you with all your coverage needs.
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