Does car insurance cover hurricane damage?

Does auto insurance cover hurricanes?

Your auto insurance covers hurricane damage if you carry comprehensive coverage, including flood damage, which is not covered by homeowners insurance. If a hurricane damages your home and your car, you'll file two claims on two different policies. You'll have to pay your comprehensive deductible when you file a claim; for example, if your deductible is $500 and the damage is $2,000, you'll pay the $500 and the insurance company will pay $1,500. If you have state-minimum liability-only coverage, you will not be covered for hurricane damage to your car.

"Auto insurance does protect you against flood damage to your vehicle," says Hernan Lois of NC Coastal Insurance in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Comprehensive coverage pays for non-collision-related damage. These are often things beyond your control and unrelated to your driving, such as theft, vandalism or a tree branch falling onto your hood during a hurricane.

What car insurance coverage pays for hurricane damage?

Comprehensive coverage is the only type of auto insurance coverage that pays for hurricane damage. It is not included in a state minimum policy, and unless your car is financed or leased, it's not required. You must add it to your policy well in advance of a hurricane; insurance companies do not allow the addition of comprehensive coverage when a storm is already approaching.

Rental car reimbursement coverage will pay for a rental while your car is being repaired; this is an optional coverage.

Here's a breakdown of common types of car insurance and how they apply to hurricane damage.

Coverage type	Hurricane coverage	Requirement
Liability	None	State law, except New Hampshire
Collision	None	Financed or leased vehicles
Comprehensive	Yes: wind, flood, hail and other hurricane damage	Financed or leased vehicles
Rental car reimbursement	Yes: pays for a rental car during covered hurricane repairs	None

What to do if your car floods after a hurricane

To file a car insurance claim after a hurricane, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the damage. Provide a description and take photos of the damage, as while as the time, date, and location of the damage. The insurance company will assign a claims adjuster who will assess the damage, verify coverage, and calculate a repair estimate.

Contact your insurer immediately and report the claim.
Provide your policy number, date of loss, and location of the vehicle.
Photograph all visible damage before moving or drying the vehicle.
Do not attempt to start a flooded car; document whether the engine was submerged.
Ask your insurer about towing coverage and approved repair facilities.

If the damage is minor, consider your deductible before you file a claim; a claim below or right around the deductible is not worth filing. If the damage is major, the car may need to be towed; the claims department can help with this.

"You will need to determine your deductible vs. the damage and then call the claims department to assist with towing and storage of the vehicle," Lois says.

What happens if hurricane damage totals my car?

Your car is declared a total loss after a hurricane when the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds its actual cash value (ACV) at the time of the loss. If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurer pays the ACV of the vehicle minus your deductible. If you owe more on a car loan than the ACV payout, gap insurance covers the remaining balance.

The total-loss process works as follows:

Your claims adjuster assesses the damage and determines whether repair costs exceed the vehicle's ACV.
If the vehicle is a total loss, your insurer offers a settlement equal to the ACV minus your deductible.
If you have a loan or lease, your lender is paid first from the settlement.
If you have gap insurance, it covers any remaining loan balance above the ACV payout. If not, you will be responsible for the remaining balance.
You use the remaining settlement amount toward a replacement vehicle.

How to insure your car ahead of hurricane season

If you live in a state that has frequent hurricanes, you should review your policy well before storm season to make sure you have the proper coverage.

Add comprehensive coverage to your policy before hurricane season if you do not already have it.
Confirm your deductible is affordable; lower deductibles mean higher premiums but less out-of-pocket cost after a storm.
Add rental reimbursement coverage so you have transportation during repairs.
Consider bundling your auto and homeowners policies for a discount on both policies.

To get the best rate on comprehensive coverage in a hurricane-prone state, compare quotes from at least three insurers and ask each for the combined cost of comprehensive, collision, and rental reimbursement coverage. In states such as Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, rates for full coverage vary significantly by ZIP code and insurer, so comparing quotes is the most reliable way to find the lowest cost for the coverage you need.

Compare insurers on several criteria: financial stability rating with AM Best, claims satisfaction score with J.D. Power, state availability and rates.

Insurance company comparison metric	Why it matters for hurricane claims
AM Best rating (A or higher)	Indicates financial strength to pay large-volume claims after a major storm
Claims satisfaction score (J.D. Power)	Reflects how efficiently the insurer handles high-volume post-storm claim filings
State availability	Not all insurers write comprehensive policies in high-risk coastal states
Comprehensive premium by ZIP code	Rates vary significantly in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana

FAQ: Hurricanes and car insurance

Which states have the most hurricanes?

Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the U.S., followed by Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Carolinas along the Gulf Coast and Southeast Atlantic. Virginia, Georgia, and states up the Northeast Atlantic coast are also frequently affected. Drivers in any of these states should carry comprehensive coverage.

Will my car insurance go up after a hurricane claim?

Yes, filing a hurricane damage claim will typically raise your car insurance rates at renewal. Rate increases from comprehensive claims are generally smaller than those from collision claims, but the exact amount depends on your insurer, your claims history, and your state. Check with your insurer before filing if the damage is close to your deductible amount.

Will FEMA pay for my flooded car?

No, FEMA does not pay for flood or hurricane damage to your car. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), also administered by FEMA, covers flood damage to buildings and their contents but not vehicles. Your comprehensive auto insurance policy is the only coverage that pays for flood or hurricane damage to your car.