In 19 states, wind insurance is a separate policy from homeowners insurance. If you live in a coastal state, you may need to take action before hurricane season to make sure you are covered.
Is wind insurance separate from homeowners insurance?
It depends on where you live. For most inland homeowners, wind and hail coverage is included in a standard homeowners policy. In coastal and hurricane-prone states, however, insurers commonly exclude wind damage from the base policy, and you must purchase it separately or as an endorsement. For inland homeowners, wind and hail coverage is typically part of the base homeowners policy.
The 19 states where separate wind coverage is commonly required or where hurricane and named storm deductibles are mandated are: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Are there different types of wind insurance?
Yes, and the differences matter. Wind insurance goes by several names: Windstorm, Wind and Hail, Named Storm, or Hurricane coverage. The name determines when your deductible is triggered.
A hurricane or named storm deductible only applies when a storm has been officially named by the National Hurricane Center. Damage from a regular thunderstorm or straight-line winds would not trigger it.
A windstorm or wind and hail deductible applies to any wind event, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Coastal homeowners should specifically ask about hurricane or named-storm coverage, if possible, as it offers a narrower, more predictable deductible trigger.
There is no such thing as tornado insurance as a standalone product. Tornado damage is covered under wind or windstorm policies.
How do wind insurance deductibles work?
Wind deductibles are almost always percentage-based rather than flat-dollar. That means your out-of-pocket cost is calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value, not the cost of the damage. A 5% wind deductible on a $300,000 home means you pay the first $15,000 of any wind claim before insurance covers the rest. Deductibles typically range from 1% to 5% and can reach 10% in some coastal areas.
Always ask your agent for the deductible in dollar terms so you understand your actual financial exposure before a storm.
Does timing matter when buying wind insurance?
Yes. Many insurers impose a 24 to 48-hour moratorium before a major storm, meaning they will not issue new wind policies once a hurricane watch or warning is issued. Do not wait until a storm is approaching to check your coverage. If you do not have wind coverage in place before hurricane season, you may not be able to get it when you need it most.
How can I save money on wind insurance?
Building or re-roofing to FORTIFIED standards is one of the most effective ways to reduce your wind insurance costs. A FORTIFIED designation is third-party verified documentation that your home has been built or retrofitted to withstand higher wind loads. In states with enacted legislation, it qualifies homeowners for mandated wind premium discounts of 20% to 55%. A 2025 peer-reviewed study found FORTIFIED Roof homes had 73% fewer insurance claims and 72% lower total losses during Hurricane Sally than conventionally built homes. Check the Incentives and Resource Map to see what discounts and programs are available in your state.
Have questions about wind coverage or FORTIFIED discounts in your state? Contact us.