Wind Damage or Flood Damage? What Texas Coastal Homeowners Need to Know

Living on the Texas Gulf Coast means preparing for more than one kind of storm damage. A hurricane can bring damaging wind, heavy rain, and rising water in the same afternoon. Yet those losses may fall under different insurance policies.

The best time to sort out your coverage is before a storm is in the forecast. Here are three questions every coastal homeowner should be able to answer.

1. Does my homeowners policy cover wind and hail?

Do not assume it does. Many homeowners policies along the Texas coast exclude windstorm and hail damage. If yours does, you may need a separate wind and hail policy. Some homeowners can get that coverage from a private insurance company; eligible coastal properties that cannot obtain it in the private market may qualify for coverage through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).

Look at the actual policy declarations and exclusions. Ask your agent which company insures wind and hail damage to your house, what deductible applies, and whether your coverage amount reflects what it would cost to rebuild today.

2. Do I have a separate flood policy?

Homeowners insurance generally does not cover flooding. TWIA windstorm coverage does not cover flood damage or storm surge either. Flood insurance is a separate purchase, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or, where offered, a private flood insurer.

You can face flood damage even if you are not right on the water. Heavy rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and send water into a home. Check whether you have flood coverage for both the building and your belongings; those are separate coverage choices under an NFIP policy.

Timing matters. A new NFIP flood policy generally has a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect, though exceptions apply. Private flood policies can have different terms. Waiting until a storm is approaching may leave you without coverage for that storm.

3. What will I pay out of pocket?

Review the deductible on each policy, especially any separate windstorm or hurricane deductible. A percentage deductible can be much larger than a flat-dollar deductible. For example, a 2% deductible on a house insured for $400,000 is $8,000. That is an illustration; your policy’s wording and insured value determine the actual amount.

Also check your coverage limits, replacement cost terms, and any exclusions. Having a policy is only part of the answer. You need to know what it would pay and what you would owe after a loss.

A simple example

Suppose a storm tears shingles from your roof, then rising water enters your home. The roof damage may fall under your wind and hail coverage, while damage caused by rising floodwater may fall under a separate flood policy. The cause of each part of the damage matters, and the insurer will evaluate the facts and policy terms.

That is why coastal insurance works best when the home, windstorm, and flood policies are reviewed together. A gap between them can be expensive and easy to miss.

Take 10 minutes to check your coverage

• Find the declarations pages for your home, windstorm, and flood policies.
• Confirm the named insured, property address, limits, deductibles, and effective dates.
• Ask whether your homeowners policy excludes wind or hail.
• Check whether your flood policy covers the building, contents, or both.
• Contact your agent about any missing coverage well before a storm develops.

At Whittington Insurance, we help Texas Gulf Coast homeowners understand how their policies fit together. If you want a review of your home, windstorm, and flood coverage, contact our team before the next storm is on the horizon.