In most states, windstorm damage is typically covered by homeowner’s insurance. However, Florida homeowners who live on or near a coast may live in high-risk areas that may require a separate wind insurance policy.
If your home in Southwest Florida has a roof, gutters, or siding wind damage or other storm damage caused by a hurricane, the type of policy you have will determine whether your insurance covers it.
The weather is often unpredictable, and storms get stronger as the years go by. Although the siding on your house helps to shield your family, your foundation, and its structural integrity, it is not infallible. To ensure that you are taking good care of your home’s exterior, it is essential to perform an inspection and take the necessary action to deal with storm-damaged siding. To help, consider the following steps for treating damage.
What is Wind Damage?
While most people associate extreme weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes as the main culprits of property damage, strong and high winds alone can damage your roof. While heavy winds can cause trees, branches, flying debris, or power lines to fall on your roof and cause damage, wind gusts themselves can cause damage to roofing materials.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wind Damage to Siding?
Most homeowners insurance policies will cover damage to all types of siding if it is clearly caused by the weather.
If you experience a storm that clearly damages your siding, take photos to document the damage and record the date and time.
Check your policy carefully to make sure the damage is covered. Some insurers include exclusions to limit their liability. You also want to be sure that the damage is worth filing a claim for. Some minor cosmetic damage, such as chipped paint on aluminium siding, may not be worth the deductible and the possible increase in your monthly premiums.
A significant consideration in the event that some of your sidings need to be replaced after a storm is the ability to match the colour to your existing siding. Usually, this isn’t a problem, but it can become a problem if the manufacturer of your existing siding no longer exists.
Many policies contain clauses that allow for the replacement of all of the home’s siding if an area is damaged. Check your policy and talk to your agent to see if this is the case in your policy.
Evidence of siding damage
Hail damage is the most manageable issue on the siding. It can damage aluminium siding or cause holes in vinyl siding. Flying debris from a wind storm can also cause the same kind of damage. If the wind is strong enough, it can also cause entire sections of aluminium siding to break off.
Other weather conditions can cause less noticeable damage to your siding. Storm-related wind can lead to chips and cracks in your vinyl siding.
Flooding and continuous rain can cause water damage to wood siding. If the siding does not have enough time to dry out, it can mould or rot, which can cause significant problems for the home.
Signs of Wind Damage to Your Home
- Missing or damaged shingles that leave your roof vulnerable to leaks and further storm damage if left untreated.
- Siding that has been dented or broken weakens the material’s barrier and could let water into your house.
- Loose gutters and downspouts disrupt drainage, causing water to pool near your home’s foundation.
- Leaks and water intrusion are caused by severely damaged roofing, windows, and siding.
- After a significant storm, it is essential to thoroughly inspect your home for these and other signs of structural damage, including sagging roofs. Signs of interior damage, such as discoloured walls and damaged ceilings, may also indicate that you need to repair storm damage.
Does homeowners insurance cover storm damage?
Homeowners insurance can help cover specific causes of storm damage, such as wind, hail and lightning. However, damage caused by floods and earthquakes is typically not covered by standard homeowners insurance. It is essential to read your policy to see what types of storm damage are and are not covered.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Wind Damage to Roofs?
Depending on the type of policy you have, your homeowner’s insurance policy will likely cover wind damage to the roof of your home. If you have other structure coverage, you may be covered for wind damage to the roofs of different structures on your property, such as a shed or detached garage.
Your policy outlines coverage for repair or replacement of roof damage resulting from a wind event. Certain things, such as the age of your roof or unresolved maintenance issues, can determine how much of the cost is covered to repair the damage or replace the roof. Your insurance company will assess the damage, including any damage that existed before the wind event, and determine appropriate compensation. Please get in touch with your travel agent if you would like to know more about the procedure.