March 24, 2023 | by Laura Ross
Categories: Home Rehabilitation/Repairs, Homeownership
Spring is a time of turbulent weather in Texas. From fluctuating temperatures to thunderstorms, hail and sometimes tornadoes, Texans need to be prepared for anything.
With that, Texas homeowners need to be prepared for what that weather may do to their homes.
According to a weather alerts study published by ValuePenguin, the State of Texas receives between 23,435 and 30,638 weather advisories, watches or warnings each year. In a recent article published by the Fort Worth Star Telegram, it was noted that according to the Insurance Information Institute, Texas ranked number one for hail events in 2022 and also for the most wind, hail and lightning insurance claims between 2019 and 2022.
Damage to your home that is caused by wind, hail and flooding can be extremely expensive to repair. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to review their homeowners insurance policy annually to ensure that damage will be covered in the event that any extreme weather takes place.
What should your homeowners insurance include?
An article in USA Today lays out the different coverages homeowners should be sure are included in their insurance policy.
There are three specific coverages to look into: dwelling coverage that insures the structure of your home and covers the cost of rebuilding should it be needed; personal property coverage that insures the belongings in your home including furniture, electronics and clothing; and liability coverage that can be used should accidents or injuries occur on your property.
Homeowners should also confirm their insurance covers the cost of damages caused by weather-related events. A survey by ValuePenguin found that 70% of homeowners who filed an insurance claim said it was for weather-related damages.
Unless specifically excluded, a standard homeowners insurance policy covers damages to your home caused by lightning, hail, wind, freezing temperatures and the weight of ice, snow or sleet. However, what might not be covered by a standard policy is flood-related damage. Additional coverage must be purchased to cover the possibility of flooding.
If you live near the coast or in a low-lying area prone to flooding, taking the extra step to secure additional flood insurance for your home might be a good idea. A previous On the House blog post provides more information on how to determine if and when flood insurance should be purchased for your home. If you live in an area prone to tornadoes or hurricanes, additional coverage for wind damage might be necessary.
In short, Texas homeowners should be aware of what extreme weather is possible in their area each spring and take precautions. Texas weather can be unpredictable and frequently changing, but making sure your home is insured against weather-related damages is one way homeowners can prepare for the unexpected.
On the House blog posts are meant to provide general information on various housing-related issues, research and programs. We are not liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the information provided by blog sources. Furthermore, this blog is not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.
TSAHC reviews all blog comments before they are posted to ensure a positive experience for our online community. Off-topic comments; hostile, derogatory or deliberately insulting comments; and comments specifically promoting goods and services will not be posted.
Approved comments will be published in their entirety. Personal information will not be removed unless it pertains to someone other than the person submitting the comment. For more information, please see our Comment Posting Guidelines.
To remove a previously submitted and published comment, please contact Anna Orendain at [email protected].
If you have a question regarding any of TSAHC's programs, please contact us.
