Renters insurance in a hurricane does not cover any damage caused by flooding. It will cover damage caused by covered peril on your renters policy like wind, fire, hail, lighting, and certain types of water damage. The building itself is not covered by your renters policy since you do not own the structure.
Renters Insurance in a Hurricane: Table of Contents
As of this writing, our area of Florida is picking up the pieces after hurricane Milton. Some of our clients wanted clarification on what would and would not be covered by their renters insurance if the hurricane damaged their property. We thought it would be a good idea to put this information out on the internet for others who may have the same questions. This can help you be better prepared for future hurricanes.
Will Renters Insurance in a Hurricane Cover a Broken Window?
Renters insurance in a hurricane covers any damage that results from the broken window but it won’t pay to replace the window since it is the building owner’s responsibility. The landlord’s insurance or the landlord’s own pocket would have to cover the cost to replace the window.
If the window is destroyed during a storm and rain or wind blows in and damages some of your personal belongings, your renters insurance would cover the damage to your personal belongings.
Will Renters Insurance in a Hurricane Cover my Stuff in a Storm Surge or Flood?
No. Flood is not covered on a home or renters insurance policy. You would need to have a separate flood policy in place to cover your belongings in the event of a hurricane. If you live in Florida, you might be accustomed to the flood zone evacuations we get while a storm is bearing down on us. If you are at any risk of a flood (very likely if you live in Florida), it’s very important you carry a flood contents coverage policy.
A flood is defined by FEMA as “an excess of water on land that is normally dry, affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties.”
Storm surges are one of the most damaging events during hurricanes. Hurricanes bring excess waters with them when they make landfall. Storm surges flood the coastal areas and can sometimes exceed 20 ft. of water in depth and reach miles inland. The camera shots you see from the news showing communities of houses under water come from storm surges.
Apartment Buildings in Evacuation Zone D Flooded in Clearwater, FL During Hurricane Milton
Below you can see a video from Fox 13 Tampa showing flooded apartment buildings. Neighbors in the area had never seen anything like this before. There was no order for evacuation zone D during Hurricane Milton.
If you live in Florida, there is always a risk of flooding. Hurricanes just amplify that possibility. They didn’t expect this sort of flooding in an evacuation zone D but it still happened.
Loss of Use Coverage Pays for Living Expenses During Repairs if Home is Uninhabitable
If a covered loss results in your home being uninhabitable, your renters insurance has a coverage called Loss of Use or Additional Living Expenses that pays to put you up at a hotel or a rental while the repairs are made. This applies to any covered loss.
Always consult your policy to see what a covered loss is. In hurricanes, this typically includes wind, lightning, fire, and other non-flood scenarios. If the wind rips the roof off of your home which results in wind and water damage from the rain, that would be a covered loss on a standard renters policy.
If your home flooded, like the unfortunate folks in the video above, that would not be a covered loss. If you need flood coverage, you need a flood policy. Yes, even renters need their own flood contents coverage.
What if my Landlord has Flood Insurance on the House or Apartment I Rent?
Your landlord has coverage for their building in the event of a flood. However, the landlord’s flood insurance does not cover your personal belongings. It does not pay for your loss of use. Your stuff is your responsibility, not the landlord’s.
Will Renters Insurance in a Hurricane Cover Tornado Damage?
Yes. The damage caused by tornadoes is considered wind damage, which is a covered peril on a standard renters policy. However, the coverage only applies to any of your personal property that was damaged as a result of the tornado, not the building itself. Hurricane deductibles apply.
Hurricane Milton spawned a record 160 tornado warnings in a 24-hour time period with 12-19 reportedly touching down.
What Kind of Water Damage is Covered by Renters Insurance During a Hurricane?
Any water damage as a result of the storm that isn’t flood-related. We’ve covered many of these scenarios already.
Can I get Renters Insurance During a Hurricane Watch?
No. Once a hurricane watch has been issued for your area, we can’t write a new policy until the risk has passed. It is best to prepare in advance for bad weather, especially when you live in Florida. Take a lesson from hurricane Milton and make sure you have proper coverage for the next storm.
You can also leave a comment if you have more questions you’d like answered by a licensed agent.
More Home Insurance Resources
- Florida Home Insurance Glossary
- 11 Things to Know Before Buying a Home in Florida
- Why Home Insurance is so Expensive in Florida
- How Pools are Covered by Home Insurance
- Home Office and Home Insurance
- How Electronics are Covered on Home Insurance
- How Home and Renters Insurance Covers Power Surges
- Understanding Home Insurance Deductibles in Florida
- Florida Hurricane Deductibles Explained
- How Renters Insurance Covers a Hurricane
- Home Insurance Roof ACV vs Payment Schedule
- How Hurricane Shutters Can Lower Home Insurance in Florida
- Is My Dog Covered by Florida Home Insurance?
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