Homes are valued possessions, and with homeowners insurance, you can rebuild these important assets if you experience covered damage—giving you peace of mind. Many homeowners choose to add supplemental coverage for damage or loss caused by natural disasters such as flooding or earthquakes. These events are not typically covered under standard homeowners insurance, and you need separate insurance policies for protection.
Many storms or other destructive events include heavy rainfall, high winds and storm surges, which can devastate homes, potentially causing enormous monetary damage. These storms are known as “named storm deductibles.”
What Is a Named Storm Deductible?
The National Weather Service (NWS) began to name storms to make it easier for the public to track and follow them as they developed. Many large hurricanes and tropical storms began to cause considerable damage, and insurers started looking for ways to lessen their losses. As a result, named storm deductibles have ensured that insurance companies accept responsibility for some of these losses.
Named storm insurance deductibles apply to any weather event declared as a hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm or cyclone by the U.S. National Weather Service, the U.S. National Hurricane Center or the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration. Many states have statutes that define these hurricanes or named storm deductibles.
Are Named Storm Damage Deductibles Higher?
Deductibles for named storm damage are typically higher than traditional fixed-dollar deductibles to reduce insurers’ financial risk and enable them to offer relatively low premiums. Named storm deductibles are only available in specific circumstances and vary by location. This unique insurance is activated when a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane is severe enough to be named by the NWS.
Almost all triggers include a timing window, such as 24 hours before the NWS names a storm. During this window, a named storm deductible will apply to any damage instead of normal wind and hail deductible. Because the triggers for named storm deductibles vary significantly, reviewing your state’s exact rules and specific insurance policy is essential. Your insurer can help guide you with detailed coverage information.
If you have damage to your home due to severe weather, you should contact your insurer immediately to ensure you promptly begin the claim process to fix any issues to prevent further damage. A team can inspect your damage and write a repair quote. If the estimate exceeds your deductible, we can discuss filing a claim. Documenting the storm damage with photos or a video can be helpful when your claim is reviewed.
Protect Your Home and Financial Livelihood
Heavy rainfall, high winds and storm surges frequently accompany intense storms and can be devastating. The Ed Weeren Insurance Agency can help you learn about named storm insurance and how this vital form of protection may give you the needed layer of security suitable for your housing situation.