Does Insurance Cover Wind and Hail Damage To Your Home?

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What you should know about hail and windstorm insurance

When the sky turns dark, the wind picks up and there is hail or torrential rain in the forecast it can be unnerving for homeowners. Weather damage is always possible during thunderstorm season.

Does your insurance policy cover storm, wind, and hail damage?

Global warming is making storms more severe. You are more prone to property damage. Even mild or blustery conditions can cause tree, siding, and roof damage, resulting in expensive repairs. Insured damage for severe weather events across Canada was $2.1 billion in 2021.

At ThinkInsure, we’ll make sure you have hail and wind insurance to protect your property. Not sure if you’re covered? Want to increase your plan limits? Give us a call to learn more or get a quote.

What is hail and wind insurance?

Hail and wind damage is a type of coverage that is typically included as part of your home insurance. You have protection from damage caused by hail, wind, and storms. It’s commonly referred to interchangeably as hail insurance, wind insurance, storm insurance, and tornado insurance. All refer to the same thing.

It’s also included as part of tenant insurance and condo insurance. Mobile homes may require a specific policy. Your car insurance provides similar protection for your vehicle. Check out Does car insurance cover weather damage to learn more.

Hail and wind damage insurance works

Hail and wind insurance is part of a comprehensive home policy. It works the same as other insurance plans. If you have insurable damage, you open a claim and submit it to your insurer.

Here is an example:

A severe thunderstorm is in the forecast for parts of southern Ontario. The eye of the storm moves across the province and hits Toronto hard. The damaging winds caused falling branches and a large tree to fall against your home, damaging your siding and eavestrough. You also had some shingles blow off your roof. There is several thousand dollars worth of damage. You call your insurance company and file a claim under your homeowner's insurance. You pay your deductible, and your insurer covers the cost of repairs to your siding, eavestrough, and roof. They also cover the fee to remove the damaged tree branches and debris.

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How to get hail and wind insurance

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2024-11-28

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2024-11-27

Today, I want to take a moment to recognize Monica Chan, an exceptional insurance broker who has consistently gone above and beyond in her service to me. Monica's dedication to punctuality and consideration has been truly remarkable. She has always been prompt in responding to my inquiries and has never hesitated to offer her expertise and guidance. With Monica as my broker, I have never once felt worried about anything going wrong. Her proactive approach and attention to detail have provided me with peace of mind, knowing that my insurance needs are well-taken care of. Throughout our interactions, Monica has been incredibly helpful, patiently explaining complex insurance concepts and ensuring that I fully understand my coverage options. I wholeheartedly recommend Monica Chan to anyone seeking an insurance broker who genuinely cares about their clients' best interests. Her commitment to excellence and her willingness to go the extra mile make her an invaluable asset in the insurance industry.

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What does wind and hail insurance cover?

father and daughter on garden swing at home

Your policy will provide you with protection from damage from most types of weather events. They include:

Thunderstorms
Lightning
High winds
Hailstorms
Tornados
Microburst
Nor’easter
Rainstorm
Fall trees and branches
Flying debris

The type of damage included in your plan is widespread. It includes:

Broken windows
Damaged contents – BBQs, patio furniture
Interior damage if the storm creates sudden openings in your roof or structure
Damage to your home exterior
Exterior structures – sheds, decks, fences, pergolas, patios, pools
Gardens, plants, shrubs, trees

Comprehensive home coverage will also provide cleanup, additional living expenses and temporary relocation costs if you experience severe damage and cannot live in your home until it's repaired.

What is not covered by wind and hail insurance?

There are potential threats to your home that could lead to future damage. This is not usually covered. For example, debris from the storm could cause sewer issues and result in the drains in your home backing up. Or a lot of rain in a short period of time could cause local rivers to rise and flood. In these situations, you would need additional protection for water damage such as flood insurance.

Power outages are common during storms. If the power is out for an extended period it could spoil food. This could be covered if the peril is listed on your policy. Learn more about food spoilage and insurance.

Does insurance cover tornado damage?

Did you know there are between 60 and 200 tornados in Canada each year? So, it's important to ensure you have tornado insurance in southern Ontario, Alberta, Southern Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces. These are the regions that are most prone to tornados and other severe weather.

Fortunately, most home insurance provides you with coverage. Comprehensive plans include all risks. But if you have a named perils home insurance policy, make sure tornados are listed. Check the policy wording. You can also have an endorsement to cover natural disasters for maximum protection.

How much does wind and hail insurance cost?

Putting a specific price tag on the cost of wind and hail insurance is challenging. It’s typically lumped in with other coverage as part of a larger policy. Depending on where you live, you may need to add a storm damage endorsement. Get a quote to find the lowest premiums.

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What factors affect hail and wind insurance rates?

In addition to the standard factors that influence premiums, such as replacement cost, and plan type, here are some specifics that will affect hail and wind insurance:

Location: Do you live in a region that is at risk of storms, tornados, and other potentially destructive weather events?
Frequency: How often do storms occur in your area? How severe are they?
Weather history: Has weather caused significant damage in your region before? How frequently?

How to get affordable hail and wind damage insurance

We all want to save money, but not at the expense of important protection. Speak with your insurer to make sure you have the right coverage in place if you live in a region that is prone to windstorms and other severe weather. Once the right policy is secure, the same steps apply to save on insurance:

Compare rates from multiple insurance companies
Bundle your insurance and combine all policies with the same provider
Inquire about home insurance discounts
Increase your wind and hail insurance deductible

Storm Stats in Canada

Here are some stats and information outlining the frequency and location of storms:

Thunderstorms: Windsor is the thunderstorm capital of Canada.
Tornados: Alberta and Saskatchewan average between 14 and 18 tornadoes per year. Ontario and Manitoba average between 8 and 14 annually.
Hailstorm Alley: The area between Calgary and Red Deer is “Hailstorm Alley.” June to September is hail season in Alberta and the Prairies.
Most heavy rainstorms: Halifax (14.6), Saint John (11.6), and Vancouver (11.5) are cities with the most days with over 1 inch of rain.
Thunderstorms: Ontario has 9 out of the top 10 cities with the most thunderstorms annually. Windsor leads the way with 33.2 days of thunderstorms. London, Kitchener, Brantford, Guelph, and Oshawa, all have at least 29 days with a storm.
Strong winds: St. John’s has the most days per year (16.1) with winds exceeding 63 kilometres or more per hour. Hamilton (9.9), Regina (8.5), and Winnipeg (7.3) follow this.
Lightning: Ontario experiences significantly more lightning activity than any other province. Windsor has the most days with lightning (50.1).

Sources

Environment Canada
Government of Canada
IBC

How to protect your home against storm damage

The Insurance Bureau of Canada offers the following tips to protect your house from severe weather:

Have a plan: Create an emergency preparedness plan for your family.
Create a disaster safety kit: Have a safety kit with essentials.
Secure outdoor items: Store and secure barbecues and patio furniture when severe weather is in the forecast.
Grade your property: Ensure there is proper grading around your home to allow water to flow away from your property.
Update your home inventory list: Keep a detailed list of your home belongings and contents.
Take extra precautions: Install a sump pump, sewer backup, or backflow valve.
Use weather-resistant materials: Use resilient building materials for roofs and other areas when completing upgrades.
Have adequate insurance: Add more coverage if you live in a region that experiences a lot of storms.

Tips for how to report wind and hail damage

The claim process for hail and wind damage is straightforward. Here are some tips to simplify the process:

Document the damage by taking pictures or videos.
Call your insurer. Most have 24-hour claims lines.
Make a list of all the destroyed items. Be as detailed as possible.
Collect receipts and warranty information if you have it.
Keep track of any additional living expenses related to the clean-up process.
Keep receipts for living expenses if you need to leave your home during the repair process.

Protect your home with hail and wind insurance

At ThinkInsure, we’ll help you compare quotes for hail and windstorm insurance from the leading insurance companies. Contact us today to learn about coverage or get a quote.

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2024-12-03

Hail and windstorm damage insurance

Find out if your insurance covers you for hail and wind damage to your home

Compare home insurance rates from the top providers

What you should know about hail and windstorm insurance

What is hail and wind insurance?

Hail and wind damage insurance works