Sitting at the heart of Tornado Alley, Oklahoma is certainly no stranger to severe weather. Tornadoes are often accompanied by strong winds, heavy rain and other unpredictable conditions, and you’re certainly going to want to focus on your own well-being and the safety of your loved ones if faced with such conditions. So, the last thing you should be worrying about is whether or not your insurance policy will cover the damage imposed by these storms.
Understanding your coverage can not only help you prepare for the unexpected and ensure that your home is protected, but also leave you with peace of mind to focus on other things during these stressful situations. That’s what we’re here to help you with today, by diving into some of the intricacies of whether or not homeowners insurance will cover tornado damage here in Oklahoma.
Standard Homeowners Insurance & Tornado Damage
So, the short answer to the question this blog poses is likely yes, as most standard homeowners insurance policies do cover tornado damage. Tornadoes typically fall under windstorm coverage, which is often included in policies designed for areas prone to severe weather, like throughout Oklahoma. In other words, if a tornado does damage your home, your insurance provider should help cover the costs of rebuilding and repairs, as well as the replacement of any belongings inside your home affected by the storm. It’s important to recognize that the extent of your coverage will depend on many different factors, including the type of policy you have, your coverage limits and any exclusions that may apply.
What is covered by standard homeowners insurance?
We’re going to include a handful of things that should be covered under the typical homeowners insurance policy, but you need to remember that not every policy is equal. You should always check your policy yourself, or contact your agent, to make sure certain things are included in your policy.
- Structural Damage – Any damages to the various aspects of your home caused by strong winds and flying debris should have their repair costs covered; including roofing, walls, windows and the foundation.
- Personal Belongings – Any damages to your personal belongings found within your home should also have their repair or replacement costs covered; including furniture, electronics, appliances or clothing. Your insurer might require proof of purchase or you may have already established a list of belongings with them, anything outside of purviews like these may not be covered.
- Additional Living Expenses – If your home becomes uninhabitable after a tornado, your insurance may cover temporary housing, meals and other expenses while repairs are being made.
- Detached Structures – Coverage usually extends to garages, sheds, fences and other structures on your property.
How do I ensure I have enough coverage?
There are a few steps you can take to make sure you have enough coverage. There may be other things you can do beyond these steps, but this is certainly a great place to start to ensure everything you need to be covered is, in fact, covered.
- Review Your Policy Limits – Check your homeowners insurance policy to confirm coverage amounts and ensure your limits reflect the cost of rebuilding your home if necessary.
- Consider Additional Coverage – If flooding or high deductibles concern you, look into adding flood insurance or separate wind coverage, as these things aren’t always included in standard policies.
- Inventory Your Belongings – Keep a detailed list of personal items with photos and estimated values to streamline the claims process in case of a loss.
- Understand the Claims Process – Know what steps to take after a tornado, including filing a claim, documenting damage and working with adjusters to maximize your benefits.
Hopefully we’ve helped you on your way to getting the peace of mind that you’ll need if you’re ever faced with a tornado. If you have any questions about the information we’ve laid out here, or would like to discuss your coverage options, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us right here at Glover Family Independent Insurance.
