When you live in an area that is prone to twisters, protecting your home should be one of your very first concerns. But getting Tornado Alley home insurance can be a bit more complicated than finding a policy in other parts of the country that aren’t at risk for twisters.
Because of the increased risk of damage, you may find that you need a bit of extra protection from your homeowners insurance. To make sure your assets are fully protected, start by learning how standard policies can protect you from tornadoes, then explore ways to get extra coverage for additional peace of mind.
Defining Tornado Alley: The High-Risk Zones
So, what is Tornado Alley, and how do you know if you live in a danger zone for tornadoes? Tornado Alley refers to areas in the United States that are at the highest risk for twisters. The main parts of Tornado Alley include Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. However, neighboring areas like western Louisiana, eastern Colorado, and Iowa are also considered part of Tornado Alley.
Plenty of states outside of Tornado Alley experience tornadoes each year — the states inside the region are simply located in an area that tends to get more severe twisters. As weather patterns change, the boundaries of Tornado Alley are also shifting. That’s why it’s important to check the frequency and severity of twisters in your specific area to get a more accurate idea of whether twisters are a risk to your property.
Why Standard Home Insurance May Not Be Enough
You may have heard that there are often exclusions for wind-related damages if you live in an area at high risk for hurricanes. But does home insurance cover tornado damage? The answer is, thankfully, yes. Most standard policies will pay for damages related to tornadoes, although it’s important to double-check your plan for exclusions from windstorms. In that case, you’ll want windstorm insurance. If you are a first-time buyer, understanding your home insurance policy is critical so you don’t get left without the coverage you need.
However, just because you have some coverage doesn’t mean it’s going to be enough. Because of policy limits, you may not have enough coverage to fully repair or rebuild your home if it’s destroyed by a storm. Additionally, if the tornado causes flooding, you might need extra flood insurance to deal with the water damage. Finally, you may need extra coverage to fully protect your personal property and ensure you can pay for a place to stay while your home is being repaired after a serious tornado.
Analyzing Tornado Coverage in Your Home Insurance Policy
When you’re looking through your homeowners plan to assess insurance for a home in Tornado Alley, you probably won’t see a clause that specifically discusses tornadoes. Instead, you’ll see a few different types of coverage that focus on the types of claims you can file.
Deciphering Tornado Damage Clauses
Is there tornado insurance that’s separate from your main homeowners plan? Most policies don’t have special sections for twisters. Tornado damage will simply be lumped in with all other “perils,” which are essentially events that can damage your home. There are a few main ways your policy can protect your home and property from tornado damage.
The first type of protection is known as dwelling coverage. That applies to repairing or rebuilding your house itself. For example, if the storm includes flying debris that damages your roof, you could make a claim under your dwelling clause. Typically, dwelling coverage applies to all perils and natural disasters unless they’re actively excluded from the plan. So unless your plan specifies that windstorms and tornadoes are excluded, you can make a claim if a storm damages your house. You’ll also have separate coverage for other structures that are separate from your home, like fences and sheds.
You can also make a claim for the belongings you keep inside your home. However, personal property clauses work a bit differently than dwelling clauses. Instead of specifying which perils are excluded, personal property plans only cover damages from specific events. Typically, hail and windstorms are included, but it’s important to double-check if you live in an area with major storm activity.
Understanding Additional Living Expenses Coverage
Everyone knows that damage from a twister can be devastating. It may take more than just a few shingles off your roof — it could completely destroy your home or make it uninhabitable. So where are you supposed to go while you wait for your house to be restored?
That’s where additional living expenses coverage comes in. Also known as loss of use coverage, it reimburses you for any costs you incur due to not being able to use your home. If you have to leave your house, this clause can help you pay for temporary lodging. It can also reimburse you for other costs related to being displaced from your home, such as meals and laundry services.
Extra Layers of Protection: Enhancing Your Coverage
Along with the baseline coverage available in most plans, you can take a few extra steps to protect your property from any upcoming storms.
The Role of Windstorm Insurance Add-Ons
If your plan does exclude windstorm damage, you may be able to expand your protection with a specialized add-on to make sure your homeowners insurance has you covered. This helps ensure that any repairs and replacements are fully covered, regardless of whether your house was damaged by wind, hail, or falling objects.
Making Sense of Deductibles in Disaster-Prone Areas
Because the types of damage caused by tornadoes can vary greatly, you might have to deal with multiple deductibles when filing a claim. For example, you might have to pay one deductible for wind and another for hail. Check out the details of your plan ahead of time to make sure you understand which costs apply.
Tornado Preparation Tips to Minimize Damage
One of the most important elements of owning a home in a disaster-prone area is being proactive about maintenance. To prepare for a tornado, focus on removing hazards that could cause significant damage to your home. For example, if you have trees on your property, regularly trim the branches to reduce the chance of a falling limb crashing into your roof, fence, or other part of your house.
Keeping your home in good shape can help you prevent existing damage from becoming more severe in a storm. In fact, if your house had pre-existing damage that was worsened by a storm, it could prevent you from getting fully reimbursed. Adding features like storm shutters, upgraded exterior doors, and fortified windows can also give you an added layer of protection.
Navigating Insurance Processes Post-Tornado
Filing a claim after a tornado can be overwhelming, but your insurance team will be there to help. After a storm, be meticulous about documenting damage to your home. Filing a claim promptly and being prepared with proof can help speed up the process to ensure you get the reimbursement you need to rebuild.
Get a Home Insurance Quote Today
If you live in an area at high risk for active twisters, it’s better to plan ahead to safeguard your home and belongings. Getting a comprehensive policy and signing up for relevant add-ons will give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your home as the storm season approaches.
At Freeway, we understand the challenges of living in an area with tornado activity. We’ll walk you through the entire process of picking out a plan to ensure you have all the coverage you need. Visit a Freeway Insurance office in your area, get a free online quote, or call 800-777-5620 to get started.
