Important Information on insurance and wind damage

Of course, the only time you worry about your insurance coverage is when you need it.

Here's a few things to keep in mind while you deal with the mess left behind by those crazy Missouri winds.

Generally, if a tree falls on your house, the damage to the home is covered, and most policies will even pay up to $500 to cover the cost of removing the tree.

If you lost part of your roof, or shingles, that should be covered too.

But, if the tree falls in the yard, and doesn't touch the house, nothing is covered. The owner usually has to pay for everything, including removing the tree.

And homeowners beware, landslides and mudslides are not covered by home and flood insurance.

If a tree falls on a car, it doesn't matter who's tree it is.

Car insurance will cover it only if the owner has paid for comprehensive coverage. That coverage is different from the state required liability insurance.

So, if you don't have comprehensive coverage, you are out of luck.

And whether it's your auto or home policy you're dealing with, don't forget that you have to pay the deductible.

Finally, if you believe the city, or your neighbor did not maintain that tree, and you have proof you complained about the tree before the wind storm, you could have a claim.

wind and hail insurance

When selecting adequate insurance for your home, consider such perils as natural disasters (like what has happened in the St. Louis, MO area this past week). In case you purchase property in an area that is prone to tornados or floods, it is vitally important to have sufficient coverage to protect a home or real estate investment from considerable damage. Wind and Hail Insurance will cover the cost of rebuilding your home in case tornado damages the building. This coverage will protect you against wind, wind gusts, hail, rain, tornadoes, or cyclones caused by a hurricane. These disasters may result in direct physical loss or damage to property. Hailstorms may not result in the catastrophic damage often associated with windstorms or fire, but are still likely to result in significant damage to the roof of the building.

If your property is located in one of the coastal counties, your policy may exclude coverage for wind and hail damage. In this case, to be protected, you will need to obtain Wind and Hail coverage separately from something like the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), or special insurance pool. Your property will have to pass a windstorm inspection and can qualify for association coverage only in case it meets certain windstorm-resistant building standards.

Make sure your Homeowners or Commercial Property coverage is current and that it will pay the full replacement cost of your property should the property be damaged by windstorm or hail. Consult with a real estate or insurance professional to choose the best option available. Learn what your policy's limits are. Remember that you may have to purchase separate policies to cover wind, hail, and flood damages. Homeowners can purchase Wind and Hail Insurance with a deductible based on a percentage of possible damages, which will increase as the amount of damages increases, or with a fixed "all peril" deductible, which is considered to be the best option in case of considerable loss.

Note that there are certain ways that can help reduce damage in the event of wind and hail. Such areas as the roof, the windows, and the doors of your home can be improved to help mitigate losses in the event of a hurricane and prevent a structure from being penetrated by the wind, water, sand etc. For instance, it is very important to keep the doors and windows sealed shut and keep the roof intact. The condition and materials of the roof covering and proper angling of the roof can considerably improve the impact resistance.

Get your quote here. It's free, simple, fast and imposes no obligations upon you.

Steve Ludwig
President/CEO
Select insurance Group
1-855-GET-SELECT (438-7353)