What You Need to Know About Hurricane Coverage

The coast of North Carolina is one of the most vulnerable areas to direct hurricane strikes in the United States, according to the State of North Carolina. But the risk of hurricanes extends far beyond the coast. According to North Carolina’s official website, every area of the state has been impacted by hurricanes in the past 20 years.

Contact Amato Insurance Group in Havelock, North Carolina, to learn how to protect your home from the financial impacts of hurricane damage.

Who Needs Hurricane Insurance?

Hurricanes can bring heavy winds, storm surges, landslides, tornadoes and strong thunderstorms that cause severe damage to your dwelling or other structures on your property. Unfortunately, a standard homeowners insurance policy typically won’t cover all the damages caused by hurricanes (e.g., flooding). You may need additional coverage to prevent costly out-of-pocket expenses following a severe storm.

What Is Hurricane Insurance?

The term “hurricane insurance” refers to several insurance coverages that can be combined to protect your home from hurricane-related damages. This coverage is essential if you live in hurricane-prone areas, as your homeowners insurance typically won’t cover all damages incurred by hurricanes.

Your homeowners insurance policy may also have a hurricane deductible, which is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurer provides coverage for hurricane damages. Unlike your homeowners insurance deductible, which is generally a fixed amount (e.g., $1,000), your hurricane deductible may be a percentage of your home value (e.g., 5%). Please review your hurricane deductible with your insurance agent or contact Amato Insurance Group.

What Coverage Can Protect My Home from Hurricanes?

Homeowners have several options to protect their home from financial losses associated with hurricanes, including the following:

• Homeowners insurance coverage is a good starting place, as it will protect your dwelling, its contents and other structures on your property from covered losses. However, if you live in a high-risk area, there may be exclusions for certain perils. The agents at Amato Insurance Group can help you understand your policy exclusions in greater detail.
• Flood insurance coverage can often be purchased as an add-on to your homeowners insurance policy or as a separate policy. It can help pay for costs related to storm surge, flooding and wind-driven water.
• Windstorm and hail insurance coverage can help pay for damage from heavy winds or hail. Depending on where you live, heavy wind and hail damage may otherwise be excluded from your North Carolina homeowners insurance policy. Contact Amato Insurance Group for more information.

How Can I Buy Hurricane Coverage?

There is typically a 30-day waiting period for flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program, so don’t wait until a storm is heading your way to get the coverage you need. Contact Amato Insurance Group today to learn more about our insurance offerings.