A major storm can do a lot of damage to a home in the blink of an eye, and your homeowners insurance may not cover all the repairs. That’s why it’s important to make sure your home is prepared for unexpected weather events.
Hailstorm
Hail annually causes over $1 billion in damage, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If a hailstorm is headed your way, put all outdoor belongings under a covered area.
To protect windows, install storm shutters that can quickly be closed when a storm comes. During the storm, all your family members and pets should remain indoors until the last of the hail has fallen.
Lightning Strikes
Electricity generated from lightning storms could severely damage your home if you aren’t prepared.
The easiest way to minimize this type of damage is to install a lightning protection system. These systems usually include wires and rods that redirect the energy when a lightning strike occurs.
For particularly bad lightning storms, unplug all electronics in your home.
Don’t understand to comment about adding a rider to your homeowners policy to cover “specific weather events”. A standard homeowners policy covers all of the weather events listed in the article. What might not be covered is flooding.
Hi, Papa. Insurers may require additional coverage and premiums for certain weather events.
For instance, here in the hurricane-prone South, many homeowners insurance policies don’t cover water and wind damage.
Thanks for commenting!