Who Needs Tornado Insurance?

Do you need to secure insurance protection against tornadoes?

If you live in an area prone to tornadoes, then you may assume that your policy includes coverage for these natural disasters. But is that really the case? Here’s what homeowners need to know about securing coverage for tornado damages.

• Tornado Prone Areas

While tornadoes can occur anywhere, they are most common across the flat plains of the Midwest. This strip of land, known as “Tornado Alley,” includes the following states: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and parts of South Dakota. So, if you are living in one of the “Tornado Alley” states, then you need to review your home policy to make sure that you have the necessary coverage.

• Are tornadoes covered by home insurance?

Unlike floods or earthquakes, homeowners do not typically need to secure a separate policy for tornado damage. This is because the damage caused by tornadoes can usually be categorized as wind or water damage, which are both covered by standard homeowners insurance policies.

However, you can run into trouble if your insurer determines that your damages are caused by flooding. If a tornado causes a nearby dam to break, and your home is damaged as a result of this rushing water, then your home insurance will not cover these damages. In this case, you would need the coverage offered by a specialty flood policy. Bottom line; while standard home insurance is adequate to address most tornado damages, you also need to secure a separate flood policy to ensure that your home has the comprehensive protection that it needs.

This is what you need to know about insuring your home against tornadoes. Do you have additional questions regarding your homeowners insurance? If so, then contact the experts at Robert J. Los Insurance Agency in Hamburg, New York. We are ready to assist you with all your home coverage needs today.