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As Hurricane Erin races across the Atlantic, 2025’s hurricane season is already sending warnings to homeowners: it’s not just storm supplies you need to check—your homeowners insurance coverage does too.
Severe hurricanes can force quick evacuations, damage homes and pile up unexpected expenses in just a few hours. Understanding what your policy covers and where it falls short is a critical part of hurricane season preparation.
What Your Homeowners Insurance Covers
In addition to standard coverage for your dwelling and personal belongings, homeowners insurance typically offers protection from certain types of hurricane damage. Most policies cover wind damage from hurricanes—think roofs, windows, doors and belongings inside your home. But they usually don’t cover flooding, which is often where people get caught off guard.
Flooding can cause devastating losses during hurricanes. However, because flooding is commonly excluded from home insurance coverage, assuming your existing policy covers all hurricane-related damage is risky.
Your hurricane deductible may surprise you. Unlike your standard deductible, it’s usually calculated as a percentage of your home’s insured value, which can mean paying much more out of pocket if a storm hits.
Why Home Insurance Matters
Living inland doesn’t mean you’re safe from flooding. Past hurricanes have caused severe water damage far from the coast, proving that distance isn’t protection. Homeowners insurance, paired with a separate flood insurance policy, can help cover these risks.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers coverage for homes in high and moderate risk areas—but timing matters. Most policies have a 30-day waiting period, so it’s best to get coverage well before a storm is on the horizon.
Flood insurance is crucial, but it won’t cover everything. Homeowners insurance protects your home and belongings from wind and other storm damage. Together, they can give you absolute peace of mind. If you’re shopping for home insurance coverage, here are some strong options.
Steps To Check and Strengthen Your Coverage
- Review your policy thoroughly. Go through your policy carefully to see what’s covered, whether it’s wind, water and other storm-related damage, so you know where you stand before a hurricane hits.
- Check deductibles and limits. Review your deductibles and coverage limits carefully. Hurricane-specific deductibles can be steep, so ensure your policy can fully replace your home and belongings to avoid surprise expenses.
- Consider additional protection. If your homeowners policy doesn’t cover flooding, it may be worth exploring the NFIP or a private flood insurance plan. Some insurers even offer separate hurricane policies for extra protection and peace of mind.
FEMA and Emergency Assistance
FEMA doesn’t replace insurance but can provide critical financial assistance if a disaster strikes. Homeowners with insufficient coverage or who experience uninsured losses may qualify for grants or low-interest disaster loans.
FEMA also offers guidance on evacuation routes, disaster preparedness and the required documentation to support a claim. Insurance and a FEMA plan ensure you’re financially and logistically ready for emergencies.
Take Proactive Steps at Home
Insurance is only one part of hurricane readiness—preparing your home ahead of time is just as important. Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, reinforce windows and doors and clear gutters to prevent flooding. Save receipts from large purchases and document your belongings with photos or video to make filing claims faster and easier.
Additionally, remember to create your emergency kit: Stock up on water, non-perishable food, medications, important documents and your furry friend’s supplies. Preparing before the storm can save time, money and stress later.
Bottom Line
With Hurricane Erin gaining momentum and a potentially active 2025 hurricane season, now is the time to prepare. Reviewing your homeowners insurance, filling gaps with flood insurance and keeping FEMA resources in mind can help protect your home and finances. Storms are unpredictable, but having a clear plan and the right homeowners coverage can help you weather the season with confidence.