What Is Hurricane Insurance? Definition, Coverage, and Costs (2024)

What Is Hurricane Insurance?

Actually, hurricane insurance doesn't exist as a specific, separate type of policy. The term often refers to what is, strictly speaking, a hurricane deductible on a homeowners insurance policy: an extra amount a homeowner must pay before the insurer will cover the damage or destruction caused by a hurricane. A percentage of the property's worth, this deductible is common in 19 hurricane-prone states and the District of Columbia.

Hurricane insurance can also refer to special types of catastrophe insurance that specifically cover flooding or extreme winds (which actually do the damage to the property). These policies are also typical—and sometimes required—in high-risk hurricane states, such as Florida and Texas.

Key Takeaways

There is no such thing as hurricane insurance, strictly speaking.
Coverage for the damage-inducing waters or winds that hurricanes cause is provided by flood insurance or windstorm insurance.
Many homeowners insurance policies in coastal states impose a hurricane deductible, an extra out-of-pocket amount the policyholder incurs before coverage kicks in.

Understanding Hurricane Insurance

Hurricane deductibles are separate from regular homeowners insurance deductibles and are based on a percentage of the home’s value. While a regular homeowners insurance policy deductible is a fixed dollar amount—say, $500 or $2,000—a hurricane deductible might be 2% to 5% of a home’s insured value, or $2,000 to $5,000 for every $100,000 in home coverage.

Hurricane deductibles first developed in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew’s massive damage to South Florida inflicted major losses on homeowners insurance companies, but they became more widespread in 2005, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Insurance companies turn to reinsurers when they’re having trouble paying large amounts of claims all at once, but even reinsurance companies were struggling under such enormous losses. As a result, insurance companies began requiring hurricane deductibles in 19 states and Washington, D.C. Homes in these states, which are all on the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Coasts, are susceptible to hurricane damage.

For a homeowner to be required to pay a hurricane deductible, there usually must be a named hurricane in the area. Sometimes a severe tropical storm will trigger the deductible. The hurricane deductible will be in effect for any damage that occurs until the storm is downgraded. Rules vary by state.

Even when a hurricane deductible doesn't apply, a windstorm deductible might. A windstorm deductible applies to damage from any kind of high wind. It can run a little lower than a hurricane deductible, sometimes as low as 1% of the property's insured worth.

States Where Hurricane Deductibles Apply

The states/regions where hurricane deductibles apply are:

Alabama
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Virginia
Washington D.C.

Policies Offering Hurricane Coverage

Homeowners should also be aware that even if they pay a hurricane deductible, gaps in their coverage might exist. Most homeowners policies exempt flooding from an outside natural event, like a hurricane. So, property-owners need a separate flood insurance policy to cover such water-related destruction or damage.

Most standard homeowners policies will cover some damage caused by hurricanes—mostly that related to the heavy wind that, say, rips shingles off a roof or causes a tree branch to snap and crash into a window.

HowHurricane Deductibles Are Calculated

To some degree, depending on the state, insurance companies dictate the level of the hurricane deductibleand where it should apply. However, insurers' hurricane deductible plans are subject to state insurance departments andmay be subject to various regulations and laws. Rhode Island, for example, sets a cap of 5% on hurricane and windstorm deductibles.

In Florida, located in a particularly hurricane-prone region, state law sets some requirements. Homeowners have to have the option of a $500 flat-rate hurricane deductible. Premiums may, of course, be higher than if you choose one of the other mandated options: 2%, 5%, or 10% of the insured value of the residence.

In some states, homeowners may pay lower insurance premiums if they make improvements to their home to minimize damage from a hurricane, such as installing storm shutters or hurricane-resistant laminated glass windows and doors.

Are Wind and Hurricane Insurance the Same?

A windstorm insurance policy may be different than a hurricane insurance policy. With a windstorm insurance, coverage is for damage caused by wind only. While there is no specific "hurricane insurance," this insurance may refer a a combination of a windstorm policy, flood insurance, and homeowners insurance.

Is Hurricane Insurance the Same as Flood Insurance?

Hurricane insurance and flood insurance may sometimes be considered the same. Flood insurance covers damage from flooding, which may include flooding as a result of hurricanes but could also cover damage from other causes, like a leaked pipe. Hurricane insurance is typically a combination of flood and windstorm insurance, which covers damages caused by wind, such as from hurricanes.

Are Hurricanes Usually Part of Homeowners Insurance?

You may have to get separate flood insurance and windstorm insurance to cover hurricane damage. These policies may not be part of homeowners insurance, however some policies may include windstorm insurance. Most standard homeowners insurance won't cover flood damage.

The Bottom Line

Hurricane insurance can be a valuable tool to protect your from financial hardship in the event your home suffers from damage from a hurricane. Whether hurricane insurance is right for you will depend on a number of factors, including the risk that a hurricane will damage your home and your own financial situation. Consider consulting a financial advisor for guidance with your specific needs.