Is your home insured for tornado damage?
HOUSTON - Many area homes were severely battered by last week's tornadoes. Homeowners are now left picking up the pieces, or worried that their home could be hit in the future.
You may be wondering if your home is properly covered for tornado damage.
The Insurance Council of Texas tells us some standard homeowners insurance policies cover tornado damage. But some homeowners may need to buy wind coverage as well, as some policies have exclusions.
"Typically, homeowner's insurance does cover tornadoes. There may be some exclusions, so you want to check your policy, depending on where you live. Texas is one of those states where you should probably check it out. Oklahoma, Texas, anything that's considered in that tornado alley. Check your policy to see if there is a wind exclusion for a tornado. If you do have that, you need to get that separate wind policy," explained Richard Johnson with the Insurance Council of Texas.
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The average cost of a Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, or TWIA policy is around $2,300 a year.
If you need to buy it, that would be on top of the average homeowner's insurance policy in Texas, which, according to NerdWallet, is about $3,200 a year.
Rising insurance rates and inflation have contributed to 12% of U.S. homeowners forgoing coverage. That's up 5% since 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Progressive and Foremost Insurance stopped writing new homeowner's policies in Texas in 2024, leaving homeowners with fewer options for coverage.
Here are some ways to try to save money on insurance from the Texas Department of Insurance:
- Shop around for a lower rate. Many people renew without looking for lower prices.
- Ask for discounts, such as bundling with auto insurance.
- Improve your home's safety.
- Improve your credit score.
If your home was damaged in the tornadoes, you need to file a claim right away.
Experts say make sure it's safe to return home, then take photos and videos of the damage. Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage and keep receipts.
If you have an insurance claim that you feel is wrongly denied, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance, which will work to help resolve it. TDI can be reached at (800) 252-3439.
You can also hire a public adjuster, who will help make your case to the insurance company. Public adjuster fees are capped at 10% of the claim in Texas.
You can also hire an attorney.