This year we have witnessed mother nature’s wrath. We have seen tornadoes, wildfires, floods, and landslides devastate many homes and businesses. Although this part of the country has not been featured in news stories, we do think all home owners should know which types of damages are included in most policies, and when you need to consider adding coverage for weather events and natural disasters.

What Has Changed?

• Older Infrastructure: Sewer pipes and water lines
• More Home Equipment:  Smart appliances, HVAC systems
• Revised building codes
• Where we build

 

Fire: Yes, your home insurance will cover you for any fire damage. Fortunately, we will not have the incredibly destructive wild fires that occur in the west, but we do still have house fires. We have recently had a few fires started by electrical issues; overheated electronics, and fire combustion from paint rags.

Tornado and Hurricane: Yes your home insurance will cover you for damages from these storms. Some home insurance policies do have higher wind deductibles, so check on your wind deductible condition.

Flood: Flood is not a coverage that can be included on your home insurance policy. Home owners do need a separate flood policy for this coverage. Even if you are in an area that has not experienced a flood, we suggest you review the info on your flood risk rating. Due to many environmental and building variables, we are seeing flood damage in previously non-flooded locations.

 

First Street Foundation, a climate and technology nonprofit that works to make climate hazards more visible to the public, provided the flood-risk scores. In June 2020, First Street released the first public flood risk maps for every home and property in the contiguous United States.

Other newer coverages we think you should select:  Service Line Protection & Homes System Protection