Storm Damage: Wind Or Flood?
The situation: A storm damaged my roof and flooded the first floor. My insurer says some of it is flood. How does that work?
Quick Answer
The cause matters. Wind damage, such as a torn-off roof and rain coming through it, is typically covered by a homeowners policy, or by a separate windstorm policy in some coastal areas. Rising water from storm surge or flooding is excluded from most home policies and needs flood insurance. Each policy pays its share, with its own deductible.
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What Happened
After a hurricane, Lena's roof lost a section of shingles and rain soaked an upstairs bedroom. Storm surge also pushed two feet of water into her ground floor. Her homeowners insurer handled the roof and bedroom as wind damage, less her hurricane deductible. Her NFIP flood policy handled the ground-floor walls, floors and furnace under building coverage, less its deductible.
Likely Relevant Policies
- Homeowners Insurance
- Flood Insurance
- Windstorm Insurance (some coastal areas)
Potential Coverages
Dwelling Coverage (homeowners) High likelihood
Wind damage and rain entering through wind-damaged openings are typically covered.
Flood building and contents coverage High likelihood
A flood policy pays for rising water and storm surge damage, if you have one.
Homeowners coverage for flood Low likelihood
Most home policies exclude flood.
Possible Exclusions
- Flood, including storm surge, is excluded from most homeowners policies.
- A separate hurricane or wind deductible may apply.
Questions That Determine Coverage
- Which damage came from wind and which from rising water?
- Do you have flood insurance, with building and contents?
- Is there a separate wind or hurricane deductible?
- Is your area served by a separate windstorm insurer?
Recommended Immediate Actions
- Photograph damage on each floor, including water lines on walls.
- Make temporary repairs to stop more water getting in.
- Report to both your home and flood insurers.
- Keep damaged items for inspection.
Documents to Collect
- Photos and video
- Water-line measurements
- Receipts for temporary repairs
- Both policies' declarations pages
Common Claim Process
Adjusters from each insurer inspect and decide which damage came from wind and which from flood. Each policy pays its covered share, less its own deductible.
Potential Outcomes
- Wind damage paid by the home or windstorm policy; flood damage paid by the flood policy.
- Disagreements over the amount can go to appraisal; disputes over the cause can be raised with your state insurance department.
- Without flood insurance, the flood damage is generally the owner's cost.
Risk Prevention Tips
- Consider flood insurance even outside high-risk zones.
- Take dated photos of your home before storm season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover storm surge?
Generally not; storm surge is treated as flood.
Do I file two claims?
Often yes, one with each insurer.
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Explore the rest of the Homeowners Insurance scenarios.
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The factual claims on this page were checked against these sources. Rules and figures change, so check the source itself if you need to confirm the current version.
- Home insurance guideTexas Department of Insurance
- Buy a flood insurance policyFEMA, National Flood Insurance Program (FloodSmart)
Educational information, not advice: This scenario describes how a loss like this commonly goes, not how your claim will be decided. Coverage depends on your policy's wording, limits and deductibles, your state, and the facts. Confirm specifics with your insurer.