Storm Insurance: What to Know

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

Make sure you and your home are protected from the elements.

WHILE Northeast Ohio may not be in a major hurricane zone, we have all experienced some rough winds and storms.

Particularly during the tornado season, many of us find we have some damage caused to our properties – from a few missing roofing shingles to trees falling on our homes.

It is worth checking out your homeowner’s insurance policy before storm season to check exactly what is and is not covered in the event the weather brings significant damage to your property.

As a rule, a good policy should cover some common types of storm damage, usually hail, wind, fallen trees and lightening – but flooding and earthquake damage is usually excluded.

While earthquakes are not common in this area, flooding can be – if your home is particularly at risk it may be worth taking out extra and specific coverage. This tends to apply regardless of the cause of the flooding, be it a burst river or a burst water pipe in the basement.

As always with insurance, the detail of your policy is key – do not assume you are covered as you may be in for a shock when you try to make a claim. Look into the specific terms and conditions of your policy, and if you are not sure, talk to a broker or an agent. A review of your coverage is usually a good idea, then you can clarify exactly what you need and want.