Wind Damage Claims

1. You should photograph any damages to your property as soon as possible after the peril. If you can prepare for any potential damaging winds, having “before” photos is helpful in building out a strong claim.
2. You should address any and all damages to your property. Keep an eye out for any exposed entryways or another potential sources for further damage as a result of wind hitting your property. Temporary repairs may be necessary to address these. If you make any repairs, be sure to track any expenses toward them.
3. File your claim as soon as possible. Upon filing your claim there will likely be an insurance representative or independent adjuster coming out to assess the damage to your property. Be sure to keep track of any correspondence between you and your insurance company, including written damage assessment reports.
4. Consider hiring a public adjuster or damage assessment expert to look at any windstorm damage. It is recommended you obtain a second opinion, as a public adjuster’s estimate may differ from the independent adjuster. An outside opinion could lead to more money for your claim.

Wind damage is generally covered under homeowners insurance policies, unless you live near the coast. We recommend you review your insurance policy to confirm that wind is noted as a covered peril, if your policy is “all-risk,” or if there is any explanation for windstorms. If it is not covered, consider modifying your policy or obtaining supplemental coverage through another insurer.

If your policy covers wind damage, there are two primary types of protection to look for regarding your property. The first is dwelling coverage, which protects your home’s structure. Dwelling coverage assists with repairs to your home’s roof, windows, or siding, for example.

The other primary protection to look for in your policy is personal property coverage. This assists with the cost of replacing any personal contents damaged by wind within your home’s structure. Bear in mind that each protection type may carry a limit regarding the amount your insurer will cover.

If wind damage is covered under your policy a deductible will typically apply. A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket toward damage or a loss prior to the insurance company paying for a claim. You can find your deductibles outlined in your homeowners insurance policy declaration page. There may be an option to adjust the amount of your deductibles to better fit your needs.

Coverage limits apply to each type of coverage in your policy. If your policy covers wind damage, for example, it will only pay up to the limit you selected when you purchased the policy. As with your deductibles, coverage limits can be adjusted to align with your current needs.

There can be many different exclusions laid out in your policy. A common exclusion arises with determining whether the damage in question was caused by wind. Insurers may argue that damage is excluded because they consider it a result of wear and tear, defect, improper maintenance, or improper repairs as opposed to wind. This is where a public adjuster’s assessment of the damage may help.

Insurance policies often contain something known as anti-concurrent causation clauses. These clauses say when two perils occur simultaneously and the homeowner is only covered for one, the insurer will not cover the damage.

For example, if you file a wind damage claim but your property also sustained water damage your insurer could deny the claim on the grounds that water damage is excluded from your policy. Supplemental coverage can help with avoiding this type of situation. We recommend reviewing your policy to pinpoint any anti-concurrent causation clauses that exist.

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