To protect their home from weather damage, most homeowners in Texas get their houses insured under a homeowner’s insurance coverage. But many residents do not realize that their standard policy may leave gaps in protection, leaving them vulnerable to climatic catastrophes, such as a hurricane, severe thunderstorms, or tornadoes.
To close these coverage gaps, our Texas insurance providers recommend homeowners living in various cities of Texas, such as Beaumont, Victoria, Corpus Christi, and Laredo, purchase separate flood, hail, and windstorm insurance policies.
This article will discuss the differences between these three types of insurance and their importance.
Flood Insurance
Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States, with all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods in the past 5 years. Yet, according to FEMA’s data, only 12% of homeowners have a policy that covers flood damage.
Floor insurance is a policy that covers water damage to your home and belongings caused by a flood. The standard homeowner’s insurance policies cover water damage from plumbing issues, such as a burst pipe. But flooding caused due to heavy rains or a flash flood isn’t covered unless you have a separate flood insurance policy.
Texas, a part of the Gulf Coast, is especially vulnerable to hurricanes, which often lead to severe flooding. If you live in a high-risk area, FEMA will require you to have a flood insurance policy to get a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender.
Even if you don’t live in a high-risk area, it is still recommended to get flood insurance as floods can occur anywhere and anytime with little to no warning.
What does Flood Insurance in Texas Cover?
Depending on the type of policy you purchase, your flood insurance in Texas will cover the following-
Property Coverage
Property coverage will typically cover the structure of your home, including the foundation, walls, and HVAC system. It may also substitute a detached garage; however other such detached buildings on your property may need a separate policy.
Personal Belongings
Your personal belongings are also covered under a flood insurance policy. This includes furniture, clothing, electronics, and other items in your home. However, there is usually a limit to how much coverage you have for your personal belongings, so it is vital to make sure that the limit is high enough to cover the value of your belongings.
Uncovered Losses
Things that are not covered under a flood insurance policy in Texas include the following-
- Damage caused by earth movements, such as sinkholes or landslides
- Water that seeps in through cracks in the foundation or walls
- Mold or mildew damage
- Cars
Flood insurance also does not cover temporary living expenses, such as hotel stays, if you are forced to evacuate your home due to a flood. For more information on what is not covered, you can read through the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Standard Flood Insurance Policy or contact your trusted insurance providers TX Insurance Quotes in Texas.
Wind and Hail Insurance
Some states require homeowners’ policies to include hurricane coverage, which protects against damage caused by the high winds and heavy rains of a hurricane. However, if the storm is not classified as a hurricane, then the damage caused by the high winds and heavy rains will not be covered.
Sometimes homeowners find out the hard way when water damage caused by a windstorm is not covered in their Flood insurance policy. For example, water entering your home through damaged windows, doors, or the roof is considered wind-driven rain and is not covered under a standard flood insurance policy.
However, in order to be covered for wind-driven rain damage, you need to purchase a separate wind and hail insurance policy in Texas. This type of policy will cover damage caused by high winds and damage caused by hail.
Thus, it is vital to consider all possible scenarios when it comes to weather damage. Identifying risk factors such as your location, the age of your home, and the type of roof you have will help you and your insurer to make the best decision on the type and amount of coverage you need to ensure that you are fully protected against any damages that may come your way.
Read this blog to learn what windstorm insurance is and how it works.
Ready to Weather-Guard your Home
Purchasing the right insurance policy is essential to protecting your home and belongings from a flood, windstorm, or other natural disasters.
As you can see, there are different types of insurance policies that cover all kinds of weather-related damage. It is essential to be aware of the differences between these policies to make sure you are adequately protected from any damage.
Contact TX Insurance Quotes today if you have any questions about your insurance coverage or if you would like to get a homeowners insurance quote with additional riders such as windstorm and flood insurance in Texas.
Our team of experienced insurance professionals will be happy to help you find the right policy for your needs.
