Hurricane season and homeowners insurance

As hurricane season officially gets underway, insurance experts are urging Texas homeowners to review their policies and understand their coverage before severe weather strikes.

Mistie Hinote, a spokesperson for the Texas Insurance Department, warns that relying on a standard homeowner's policy might leave residents unprotected against some of the most common storm damages.

"Most people are familiar with homeowner's insurance that would cover fire or theft," Hinote said in a recent interview. "But there's also wind insurance that covers hail and hurricanes, and then there's flood insurance... There are different coverages that could help you get back to where you were before a storm."

The Gap in Flood and Wind Coverage

According to Hinote, a common misconception is that standard homeowner's insurance covers flood damage. In reality, it rarely does.

To ensure proper protection, Hinote advises homeowners to directly ask their insurance agents whether their existing policies include wind, hail, and flood coverage.

Location also plays a major role in how wind coverage is bundled.

"If you're in the DFW area, if you're more inland, it's very likely that your homeowner's will cover wind coverage," Hinote explained. "If you're closer to the coast, it's very likely that your homeowner's will not cover wind coverage." Coastal residents may need to seek separate windstorm policies.

Understanding the Deductible Hit

Homeowners must also be aware of out-of-pocket costs before benefits kick in. While a standard policy might feature a 1% deductible—requiring a $1,000 payment on $100,000 worth of coverage—wind damage often carries a significantly higher deductible.

"Wind coverage usually has a higher deductible," Hinote noted. "So if you have like a 1% on your home, you might have a 2% on your wind. So that brings you up to $2,000... It's really important, just to know before something happens, what you might have to pay out of your own pocket."

Take Advantage of "Blue Sky Time"

The Texas Insurance Department recommends using clear weather to create a comprehensive home inventory. Residents should walk through their properties to take photos and videos of every room, closet, drawer, and outdoor shed.

While writing down a detailed list of every item can be time-consuming, Hinote says it is crucial to document high-value items like televisions and furniture, noting when they were purchased and what they cost.

This preparation becomes invaluable if an evacuation occurs and residents cannot recall their possessions.

"The company will pay you for that if you have the coverage," Hinote said. "They just have to know what you had. And it's hard to remember that after a storm."

Don't Forget Your Vehicle

While Texas law requires liability insurance for automobiles, that baseline coverage will not protect a car or truck from severe weather.

Hinote stresses that vehicle owners need "comprehensive coverage" to pay for damages caused by flooding, fire, hail, and wind.

Ultimately, officials say preparation is the key to weathering any storm. By knowing your coverages, understanding your deductibles, creating an evacuation plan, and building an emergency kit now, you can significantly lessen the impact of a devastating storm later.