What is the best insurance for wind damage?
Short answer. The best wind coverage is not a brand but a set of features: a homeowners policy that includes windstorm, settles the roof at replacement cost, carries a wind and hail deductible you can actually pay, includes ordinance or law coverage for code upgrades, and avoids roof payment schedules or cosmetic exclusions you do not understand.
Features to ask for
- Windstorm included. Standard in most Georgia homeowners policies. Some coastal policies exclude wind, so confirm it in writing.
- Replacement cost on the roof. Pays to replace the roof, with depreciation released after the work. See ACV vs RCV.
- A wind and hail deductible you can pay. Ask for it in dollars. A 2 percent deductible on a $400,000 dwelling is $8,000. See percentage deductibles.
- Ordinance or law coverage. Pays for code required work when wind damage forces repairs. See code upgrade coverage.
- Adequate dwelling and other structures limits, including extended replacement cost if rebuilding costs spike after a big storm.
- Additional living expense in case wind damage makes the home unlivable.
Features to read carefully
- Roof payment schedules that reduce the payout as the roof ages
- Actual cash value terms on the roof
- Cosmetic damage exclusions, especially on metal roofs
- Separate roof deductibles
How to compare
Ask each agent the same question: if wind tore off half my roof next month, what would this policy pay, and what would I pay? Get the answer with your actual numbers. A low premium built on actual cash value roof coverage or a high percentage deductible can cost far more after one storm than it saves in years.
Improve your risk
Wind rated shingles, proper nailing, sealed roof decks and hip roof designs reduce wind losses, and some insurers credit them.