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How To File a Weather-Related Insurance Claim

author-photoWritten by Preston Micalizio
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Preston Micalizio

Preston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing ...

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editor-photoEdited by Richard Murphy
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Richard Murphy

Richard Murphy manages content on SmartFinancial's website. With a strong background in content strategy and copywriting...

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Updated September 25, 2026

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After a severe storm, you may find that you need to make a weather-related insurance claim to be reimbursed for roof damage, broken windows or a fallen tree. While the process may seem daunting, making a weather-related insurance claim can be simple if you have strong evidence and understand your policy’s coverage.

A weather-related insurance claim is a reimbursement request for home and personal property repair and replacement costs caused by covered weather events, such as wind, hail, lightning and extreme temperatures.

Homeowners who want to ensure their home is protected from various weather events should read on to learn when you may be covered for a weather-related claim and how to file one.

Key Takeaways

  • A weather-related insurance claim can reimburse you after a covered weather event damages your home or property.
  • Homeowners insurance will typically cover damage from weather events like rain, hail, wind, snow and lightning.
  • Homeowners should consider having enough homeowners insurance coverage to fully repair their home after a total loss from severe weather events like tornadoes or hurricanes.
  • Standard homeowners insurance won’t cover all weather events, such as flood damage.
  • Shopping around with different insurance companies can help you get the coverage you need at an affordable price.

What Types of Damage Does Home Insurance Cover?

Many different types of weather-related damage to your home and personal property are covered by homeowners insurance. However, some types of weather-related coverage have restrictions based on where you live, and some are excluded without supplemental insurance policies. Below, we’ll cover some common types of weather-related damage and whether they’re covered by home insurance.

Wind damage, whether from a severe storm or tornado, is typically covered by home insurance. For example, if a tornado blows away part of your roof, you’d likely be covered for repair costs.[1] However, depending on where you live, standard coverage may exclude wind damage, so you may need windstorm coverage for protection.[2]

Hail damage is typically covered by homeowners insurance. For example, if hail knocks off multiple shingles, breaks your window or dents your metal roof, homeowners insurance may cover repairs.[3] However, depending on where you live, standard home coverage may exclude hail damage, requiring windstorm insurance for protection.[2]

Your home insurance typically covers losses from falling objects, such as if a tree in your yard is blown over in a storm and crashes through a window. However, your policy may not cover you if the tree was dead or rotting, and it likely won't cover damage caused by the tree’s removal.[4]

Homeowners insurance typically covers lightning damage. Depending on your insurer, it may also cover damage from a lightning strike that causes a power outage and damages covered electronics.[5]

Lightning strikes can also result in indirect damage, some of which may be covered by insurance. For example, lightning strikes can often lead to destructive wildfires, especially during a dry period. Fortunately, home insurance typically covers damage caused by wildfire flames and smoke.[5]

Your homeowners insurance may cover damage from heavy rain that enters your home through a hole in your roof or wall caused by severe storm winds. However, it typically excludes water damage caused by flooding unless you have supplemental coverage.[6]

Standard homeowners policies cover damage from the weight of snow, ice or sleet, which can potentially collapse your roof. Additionally, your policy will typically cover a burst frozen pipe caused by freezing temperatures.[7]

Hurricanes and tropical storms are often covered, but typically only for wind damage. Insurance policies often distinguish between wind damage and flood damage resulting from hurricanes and tropical storms, with flooding requiring separate coverage. Additionally, water damage may be covered if it entered your property because of wind damage from a hurricane or tropical storm.[8]

Flood damage coverage, along with damage from landslides and earth movements, is typically excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies. To get flood coverage, you’ll need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy. You can typically buy flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) if you live in a participating community, or from a private insurance company.[9]

After experiencing damage to your home from severe weather, consider the following steps before making an insurance claim.

Before doing anything, make sure your home is safe to walk around so you can assess the damage. Check for visible glass on the ground in or around your home and for downed power lines. Check whether any trees are in danger of falling due to damage or uprooting, or whether parts of your home are at risk of collapse.

If the property appears unsafe, vacate until a professional can review your home and confirm it is safe. Also, if you sheltered from the storm in a separate area, wait for local authorities to confirm your home’s area is safe to return to. While you may want to inspect your home more thoroughly for damage, make sure you're safe first.

If your home is deemed safe, clean up your property as best you can and make any immediate temporary repairs, such as covering a smashed window before it can be replaced.

Take steps to prevent further damage by making emergency temporary repairs. For example, if a tree smashed through a window, put up a tarp or protective covering to keep the outdoor elements from entering your home.

Avoid starting permanent repairs until a claims adjuster has visited your home, as this could make it harder to get your claim approved.

Only perform permanent repairs if the damage could affect your health or safety, such as a complete roof collapse, gas leaks or exposed electrical hazards. Your insurer may reimburse these repair costs, but you should be extra diligent about documenting all repair expenses and details to support your claim.[10]

Take photographs and videos of damage your home or belongings sustained due to a storm, as you’ll need to provide evidence of the damage when making the claim. Take multiple pictures from different angles to reduce uncertainty about the extent of the damage.

Catalog all damaged property by checking your possessions against your home inventory, which should include original purchase prices and dates you can use as evidence of value when submitting your claim.

When Should You File an Insurance Claim for Weather Damage?

When you should file an insurance claim may depend on the cost of the damage, as claims under $1,000 may not be worth filing due to deductibles. Even a single claim can raise premiums, so you may end up paying more in insurance after a claim than you would receive in the settlement.[11]

Even if the damage is substantial, be wary of making multiple claims within a few years, as repeated claims may affect policy renewal eligibility. For example, in Minnesota, three claims over $10,000 within a five-year period can lead to nonrenewal.[12]

When To Contact Your Home Insurance Company

You should contact your home insurance company to file your insurance claim for weather-related damage as soon as you can thoroughly review the damage and document it. This may take time if a storm significantly damaged your area and you need to focus on emergency repairs, or if local authorities deem your home unsafe to return to.

Most insurance policies give you a time frame to submit a claim, often between 30 days and two years.[13] Review your policy to confirm how long you have to file your weather-related claim, as submitting it late could result in denial.

Submitting your claim late could affect approval. For example, it may be harder to confirm evidence or remember details of the weather event when you file the claim. This can slow the claims approval process or create discrepancies in what is considered pre-existing damage from the weather event, which might lower your reimbursement amount.

After you file your weather-related insurance claim, your insurer will assess it and may send an insurance claims adjuster to review the damage. Unlike a professional contractor, claims adjusters are sent at no cost to you and are instead there to evaluate your loss to determine the payout under the policy terms. After they review your claim and damage, they’ll submit a recommendation to your insurer on how much you should be covered for, with the option to appeal or accept the amount.

Claims adjusters may say certain damage is excluded or doesn't require repairs, so it's essential to gather as much evidence to support your claim as possible. Prepare for their visit by photographing all damage, keeping receipts for any lost personal belongings and including contractor quotes or reports on estimated repair costs. It may also be worth hiring a third-party professional to review your home alongside the claims adjuster to support your case.

Keep Receipts for Temporary Repairs and Additional Living Expenses

Save receipts for any temporary repairs made after the damage, as your insurance company may reimburse you for these costs. If your home is rendered uninhabitable due to storm damage, like if your roof is caved in by a falling tree, ensure you keep receipts for additional living expenses like hotel, meal and pet boarding costs. The loss of use portion of your homeowners insurance can often reimburse you for additional living expenses, but you’ll need to provide proof with receipts.

You’ll need to cover your deductible amount when making a weather-related insurance claim, as it’s subtracted from your total payout. In some cases, a high deductible may make certain claims not worth making, so you should understand the amount you’re responsible for in advance.

Most weather-related insurance claims can take two to four weeks to process. However, catastrophic weather events that damage homes in a large area, such as a tornado or hurricane, may extend this processing time to two months or longer.[14]

What To Do if Your Home Insurance Claim Is Denied or Underpaid

If your home insurance claim is denied or underpaid, you can request reconsideration or appeal the decision with your insurance company. If you still disagree with the decision, you can submit a complaint with your state’s department of insurance or hire an attorney to help you settle the claim in court.[15]

Below is the essential information you should know about filing a weather-related insurance claim:

  • Filing a weather-related insurance claim can help you cover the cost of repairs to your home or personal property losses after a covered weather event.
  • Your homeowners insurance may cover weather-related losses, but you’ll need to buy flood insurance separately to cover flood damage.
  • If storm damage makes your home uninhabitable, your home insurance may reimburse additional living expenses, such as hotel stays and meals.
  • Making too many claims within a short time period could result in higher premiums, policy cancellation or nonrenewal.
  • Take extensive photos of damage after a storm to ensure your evidence is detailed.
  • When meeting with a claims adjuster after you’ve made a weather-related claim, consider having a contractor on-site to help confirm your estimates for repair costs.

If you’re considering making a weather-related home insurance claim, consider following the checklist below to ensure your claim is prepared:

  • Ensure the property is safe before checking for damage
  • Photograph and record video of your entire property before cleaning any debris
  • Document the date and time of the weather event, along with any other details surrounding it
  • Secure your property and protect it from further damage with temporary emergency repairs
  • Keep every receipt for additional living expenses or temporary repairs
  • Review your insurance policy to understand what you’re covered for and your deductible amount
  • Create an inventory of all your damaged personal property
  • Keep records of all communications with your insurer and claims adjuster
  • Communicate new damage that you find after submitting your claim that was part of the original weather-related damage
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Frequently Asked Questions

Do weather-related claims affect insurance?

Yes, weather-related claims could affect your insurance by raising your premium upon renewal. Depending on your insurer and where you live, multiple claims within a certain period could result in nonrenewal.[11][12]

Do you have to pay a deductible for weather-related damage?

Yes, you will typically need to pay a deductible for weather-related damage to your home. Some types of damage, such as storm damage, could feature a separate deductible that ranges between 1% and 10% of your home’s value.[16]

Can insurance drop you after a hurricane?

While an insurance company may choose not to renew a policy after a hurricane, it typically cannot cancel an active policy midterm solely because a claim was filed. Insurers must also cover damage that occurred while a policy was active if the loss is covered under that policy. State laws and emergency orders may provide additional protections during a declared state of emergency — such as in Florida — so check with your state’s insurance department for specific requirements.[17]

Does home insurance cover flood damage?

No, damage that is a direct result of a flood typically won’t be covered under a standard home insurance policy.[18] For flood damage coverage, you’ll typically need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy.[19]

How long after a storm can I file a claim?

The time you have to file a claim after a storm varies by insurance company and state law, but generally ranges from 30 days to two years.[13]

Is hail damage covered by homeowners insurance?

Yes, homeowners insurance typically covers hail damage.[5] However, depending on where you live, you may need windstorm insurance for hail coverage.[2]

Sources

  1. Allstate. “Homeowners Insurance Coverage and Wind Damage.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  2. Texas Department of Insurance. “Home Insurance Guide.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  3. American Family. “Does Insurance Cover Hail Damage?” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  4. Allstate. “Fallen Tree Damage and Homeowners Insurance.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  5. Allstate. “What is a Peril in a Homeowners Insurance Policy?” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  6. Farm Bureau Financial Services. “Is Water Damage Covered by Home Insurance?” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  7. Liberty Mutual. “Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Snow Damage?” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  8. GEICO. “Does Home Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage? What Is and What Isn’t Covered.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  9. Insurance Information Institute. “Facts About Flood Insurance.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  10. Premier Group. “Emergency Repairs Before Insurance Approval.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  11. GECIO. “Does Home Insurance Go Up After a Claim? Factors Influencing Increases and How They Work.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  12. Big I Minnesota. “The 2024 Legislative Session.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  13. OneClick Code. “How Long Do I Have To File A Claim For Roof Damage.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  14. RestoreNow. “Weather Events & Cat Claims: What Changes When Disaster Hits?” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  15. Texas Department of Insurance. “Why Would My Home Insurance Claim Be Denied or Not Paid?” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  16. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “What Are Named Storm Deductibles?” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  17. Velasquez & Associates, P.A. “When Can Your Homeowners Insurance Company Cancel Or Not Renew You?” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  18. Allstate. “Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
  19. Allstate. “Flood Insurance Quotes & Information.” Accessed Sept. 24, 2026.
About the Author
Preston Micalizio
Preston Micalizio
Home Insurance Expert

Preston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing in various industries, from higher education to e-commerce. He strives to engage with the audience, provide accurate reporting and make complex subjects easily digestible.

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