Does Home Insurance Cover Storm Damage in Nashville, TN?

When you live in a state that sees its fair share of storms, there are standard home insurance policies that may or may not cover your home and the items against damage caused by storms. However, this will solely depend on the insurer and the level of damage that is caused by the storm. Those who live in Nashville, Tennessee, see plenty of storms yearly, some worse than others, so it makes sense that they would want their homes to remain protected against the latter.

In this article, we will take a close look at the types of storm damage that homeowners' insurance covers and what is not often covered.

What Kind of Storm Damage Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

• Sleet, Hail, Snow & Ice: A standard form of insurance will cover hail damage, minus a deductible. Hail damage is one of the most common weather-related insurance claims. Damage to the house made by snow, ice, or sleet can also be listed as covered peril on the homeowner's policy.
• Wind, Hurricanes, and Tornadoes: Standard home insurance policies cover a home's damage caused by high winds, and in the state of Texas, this includes tornadoes and hurricanes, as well as winter storms. It is possible, however, that your policy can reduce or exclude coverage for wind damage, so it is important to check the terms and conditions.
• Lightning: Damage to personal property and your home caused by lightning is covered by home insurance policies.

What Kind of Weather Damage Does Homeowners Insurance NOT Cover?

• Floods: Flood damage is not often covered under a standard home policy, especially if it is caused by a weather-related incident. Specialized flood insurance can be purchased from a few places, including a private flood insurance company.
• Earthquakes: Home insurance policies often won't cover damage from earthquakes on standard policies. Depending on what state you reside in, some insurers will provide a separate policy for earthquake coverage.

How Can I Protect My Property from Severe Weather?

• Double-Check Your Policy: Make yourself aware of exclusions and limitations within your coverage. If your home is located in an area that is prone to severe weather, ensure that you have all the right storm insurance coverage purchased and in place. If you don't know what is covered or not, reach out to your insurance company. Proper home maintenance througout the year to ensure your home is always in good condition is another easy way to protect your home. 
• Stay Proactive: Don't wait last minute to purchase the best protection available to you until a disaster happens. If there is a hurricane watch in your area, it might be too late to purchase homeowners' insurance, as most insurers won't offer policies if there is a hurricane on the way.
• Make Sure Your Deductible Aligns With Your Budget: Storm and wind deductibles can add up quickly, so it is important to always be prepared to expect to pay more out-of-pocket expenses for situations where your policy's percentage deductible is more than you can afford. If you have the option, opt to go with a flat deductible amount and choose the lowest deductible in exchange for paying more on your monthly premium.

Bottom Line

When experiencing damage to your home due to severe weather or a natural disaster, contact your insurer right away to get the ball rolling on coverage to prevent further damage from occurring and losing it all. From documenting the damage with photos or a video, anything will come in handy when your claim is reviewed. Before purchasing property in Nashville, TN, work closely with a trusted real estate professional who can provide information and names of trustworthy insurers to cover your prospective new dream home. Trust the real estate professionals at Benchmark Realty to guide you in finding and settling down in the home of your dreams in the many beautiful historic urban neighborhoods that make up Nashville, TN, today.