Hurricane insurance: The right coverage for hurricane damage

Q: Is there a waiting period for hurricane insurance?

Yes, waiting periods apply to hurricane insurance . Most insurance companies won't write a policy within 48 hours of an expected hurricane . The waiting period for windstorm insurance is 15 days, and an NFIP flood insurance policy has a 30-day waiting period. Waiting periods for private flood insurance vary. Secure coverage at least one month before hurricane season begins; it runs from June 1 to November 30,

What is hurricane insurance?

Hurricane insurance is a combination of homeowners insurance, flood insurance, and, in some coastal states, a separate windstorm policy. No single policy called "hurricane insurance" exists. Standard homeowners insurance covers wind and rain damage; flood insurance covers storm surge and overland flooding; windstorm insurance is required in some high-risk coastal areas where standard policies exclude wind damage.

Homeowners insurance: covers wind and rain damage to your home's structure and personal property
Flood insurance: covers storm surge and overland flooding not covered by homeowners policies
Windstorm insurance: required in some coastal states where standard policies exclude wind damage

What does hurricane insurance cover?

Hurricane insurance that is part of a homeowners insurance policy covers wind, rain and hail damage to your home's structure and personal property, damage from flying debris, and additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable during repairs. It does not cover flooding; a separate flood insurance policy is required for storm surge and overland flood damage.

A homeowners insurance policy with hurricane coverage included covers:

Wind damage to the home's structure
Damage from flying debris
Personal belongings damaged by wind or rain entering through storm-caused openings
Additional living expenses (hotel, meals) if the home is uninhabitable during repair
Not covered: flooding, storm surge, sewer backup (requires separate policy or endorsement)

If you need to file a claim after a hurricane, you may need to file with more than one policy or company.

Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?

Yes, homeowners insurance covers hurricane damage from wind and rain as part of a standard policy, although in some high-risk areas it may require an endorsement or even a separate policy and may also have a separate deductible.

In 19 states, windstorm coverage can include a separate deductible or require additional coverage. Endorsements and separate policies are commonly required in coastal areas of Florida, Texas and Louisiana.

Even in a hurricane-prone area, some insurance companies may include coverage. On the other hand, in some areas you don't think of as hurricane zones, you may need a separate windstorm policy.

Catastrophic natural disasters involving high winds have become commonplace, says Alaina Hixson, Nashville-based director of sales and operations at The Churchill Agency.

"The Southeast in particular is riddled with hurricanes, while nationwide we see high-speed windstorms and tornadoes strike at any given time," Hixson says. "No matter where you live, hurricane and wind insurance is a critical coverage you should have."

Does hurricane insurance cover flooding and water damage?

No, the hurricane insurance coverage on a home insurance policy doesn't cover flooding caused by storm surges or other overland flooding. You need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy, either through the National Flood Insurance Program, or through a private insurer. If the wind damages your roof or debris breaks a window, and rainwater enters your home that way, home insurance will cover the damage. This type of water damage isn’t considered a flood.

Homeowners insurance excludes coverage for other types of water-related damage, such as water and sewer backup; that can be covered with an endorsement on your homeowners policy.

Does renters insurance cover hurricane damage?

Yes, renters insurance covers hurricane damage to your personal property and provides loss of use coverage to pay for temporary housing and related costs if a hurricane renders your home uninhabitable. Like a homeowners insurance policy, renters insurance does not cover damages related to flooding and storm surges. Renters who need flood coverage can purchase a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program.

What are windstorm, named storm and hurricane deductibles?

A windstorm, named storm or hurricane deductibles is a separate deductible on your homeowners insurance policy that applies only to damage caused by specific trigger events defined in the policy. A hurricane deductible is usually triggered when a storm is declared a hurricane by the National Weather Center, while a named storm deductible is triggered when a storm is named. Windstorm deductible trigger events vary, and are often more broad. These deductibles are usually a percentage of the dwelling coverage, ranging from 2% to 10%. With a 2% hurricane deductible and $200,000 in dwelling coverage, the deductible is $4,000.

In Florida, the hurricane deductible applies per season, meaning you will only have to pay it once per hurricane season, even if another hurricane damages your home.

Make sure you know how to file a claim after a hurricane so you are prepared for the process.

States that allow hurricane deductibles

These 19 states have hurricane deductibles:

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

How much is hurricane insurance?

Hurricane insurance cost varies by coverage type; coverage includes homeowners or renters insurance, flood insurance, and, in some cases a windstorm insurance endorsement or policy. The average cost of a homeowners insurance policy nationwide is $2,543, and the average cost of a flood insurance policy is $1,271 a year. For those two policies combined, the total cost is $3,814; however, rates in high-risk hurricane areas are higher.

Obtain quotes from multiple companies to find the best price for the coverage you need. We offer a list of the best hurricane insurance companies and the best flood insurance companies.

Costliest hurricanes in U.S. history

According to the NOAA, these are the 10 most expensive hurricanes in U.S. history.

Year	Storm	Category	Total cost adjusted for inflation (billions)
2005	Hurricane Katrina	3	$201.3B
2017	Hurricane Harvey	4	$160.0B
2022	Hurricane Ian	4	$119.6B
2017	Hurricane Maria	4	$115.2B
2012	Hurricane Sandy	1	$88.5B
2021	Hurricane Ida	4	$84.6B
2024	Hurricane Helene	4	$78.7B
2017	Hurricane Irma	4	$64.0B
1992	Hurricane Andrew	5	$60.5B
2008	Hurricane Ike	2	$43.2B

Is hurricane insurance the same as flood insurance?

No, flood insurance and hurricane insurance are not the same thing; flood insurance is one part of the coverage required for a hurricane, along with homeowners insurance and, in some cases, windstorm insurance. Flood insurance covers hurricane-related flooding as well as other types of overland flooding.

Does flood insurance cover hurricanes?

Yes, flood insurance covers flood damage caused by hurricanes, including storm surge and flooding caused by heavy rainfall. It does not cover any other sources of hurricane damage, including wind or debris damage. Homeowners in hurricane-prone areas need both flood insurance and homeowners insurance with windstorm coverage.

How to buy flood insurance

The vast majority of people buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, which the federal government backs through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A licensed insurance agent writes the policy, and the government guarantees it.

Most homeowners are eligible for this coverage. But for those who are not -- or who need coverage beyond building coverage for dwellings up to $250,000 and contents coverage up to $100,000 -- private flood insurance may be an option.

Private flood insurance typically offers much higher coverage limits than policies associated with NFIP. The Insurance Information Institute notes that private insurers now use more sophisticated modeling that has helped them to underwrite insurance risk. As a result, they are more comfortable issuing policies than they were in the past.

How much is flood insurance?

The average cost of flood insurance nationally for an NFIP policy is $1,271 a year, but it varies by location, flood risk and the coverage you purchase. Flood insurance is more costly in high risk areas; in Florida, it averages $1,421 a year.

Costliest floods in U.S. history

According to the Insurance Information Institute, these are the 10 most expensive floods in U.S. history. As you can see, hurricanes cause most high-cost flooding.

Year	Event	Number of paid losses	Amount paid (in millions)	In 2024 dollars (in millions)
2005	Hurricane Katrina	168,200	$16,330	$26,247
2012	Superstorm Sandy	132,800	$8,967	$12,236
2017	Hurricane Harvey	77,100	$8,885	$11,591
2022	Hurricane Ian	48,000	$3,900	$4,555
2008	Hurricane Ike	46,900	$2,711	$3,911
2016	Louisiana storms/flooding	27,600	$2,522	$3,305
2004	Hurricane Ivan	31,000	$1,671	$2,778
2001	Tropical Storm Allison	30,900	$1,110	$1,968
2011	Hurricane Irene	43,800	$1,344	$1,873
2024	Hurricane Helene	43,700	$1,779	$1,779

How to buy hurricane insurance coverage

Typically, your coverage from windstorm events such as hurricanes will come from your homeowners insurance policy. It is important to understand exactly what the policy does and does not cover.

For example, it is possible that your policy has a wind-damage exclusion. In hurricane-prone states, Louisiana, Texas and Florida, some standard home insurance policies won't pay for windstorm damage.

If your standard policy doesn't cover wind damage, buy windstorm insurance from your state's insurance program.

Tips for cheaper hurricane insurance

When shopping for hurricane coverage, confirm whether your windstorm policy carries a hurricane deductible. Hurricane deductibles are typically calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value, so on a $200,000 home, a 2% deductible means you pay the first $4,000 in damages. Choose the lowest deductible percentage your premium budget allows, since a higher deductible significantly reduces your payout after a storm.

Shopping around for coverage is another great way to save on the cost of hurricane coverage. Each insurance company has its own formula for setting rates, so getting quotes from multiple providers has the potential to save you a lot of money.

What doesn't hurricane insurance cover?

Hurricane insurance that is part of your homeowners insurance policy or as a separate windstorm policy doesn't cover:

Flooding and storm surge from hurricanes (requires a separate flood insurance policy)
Sewer backup caused by hurricane flooding (requires a sewer-backup endorsement)
Car damage (covered only if you carry comprehensive coverage on your auto policy)

How can you protect your home from hurricanes?

You can take steps to protect your property and increase your odds of avoiding damage should a storm land on your doorstep. They include:

Get hurricane clips. These are steel connectors that you attach to your roof and make it harder for a hurricane to rip the roof off of your home. You probably should get a professional to do this unless you really feel confident in your DIY skills.
Trim your trees. It'll look nice, but it'll also make them more resistant to wind. “Keeping yards free of debris, such as branches, and trimming trees that overhang the home are a good start,” Hixson says.
Reinforce the garage door. A garage door professional can reinforce the door so it’s less likely you'll have flooding in your garage and less likely that the wind will rip off the garage door.
Clean out your gutters. Clogged rain gutters and downspouts can lead to severe leaking and water damage on your roof and basement.
Make sure your sump pump is in working order. If you have any doubts -- maybe it's had a few problems in recent years, or it's old -- hire a plumber and buy a new one. A faulty sump pump can lead to a flooded basement.
Keep your roof in good shape. The roof of a home is vulnerable to damage in a storm, so regular upkeep and monitoring is important, Hixson says. “Most companies will not insure a home with a roof that is more than 20 years old,” she says. “So, if you start seeing lifting or separating shingles or granular loss, it’s time for a new roof.”

FAQ: Hurricane insurance

How much is hurricane insurance in Florida?

The average cost of hurricane insurance in Florida is $7,136 a year for a home insurance policy with a 2% hurricane deductible and $1,421 a year for an NFIP flood insurance policy. The total comes to an average of $8,557 annually. Rates vary by location, with coastal areas paying higher insurance rates.

Does hurricane insurance cover damage to cars?

Your auto insurance policy will cover damage to your cars if they are damaged in a hurricane. However, it is important to remember that to get this coverage, you must carry comprehensive insurance coverage on your auto policy. Without this coverage, your cars will not be covered if a hurricane or another storm damages them.

Is there a waiting period for hurricane insurance?

Yes, waiting periods apply to hurricane insurance. Most insurance companies won't write a policy within 48 hours of an expected hurricane. The waiting period for windstorm insurance is 15 days, and an NFIP flood insurance policy has a 30-day waiting period. Waiting periods for private flood insurance vary. Secure coverage at least one month before hurricane season begins; it runs from June 1 to November 30,

Is windstorm insurance the same as hurricane insurance?

Essentially, yes, although the terms "windstorm insurance" or "named storm insurance" can have a broader meaning, applying to any named storm, like a tropical storm. Since hurricanes are both named storms and windstorms, any of these policies should cover the damage.

Sources

MyFloridaCFO. “Florida’s Hurricane Deductible.” Accessed June 2026.
NOAA. "Costliest U.S. Tropical Cyclones." Accessed June 2026

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