Does homeowners insurance cover wind damage to the whole property?
Short answer. Yes. Homeowners insurance covers wind damage across the property: the roof and the rest of the house under dwelling coverage, fences and sheds under other structures coverage, belongings damaged when wind opens the house, and living expenses if the home becomes unlivable. One storm usually means one deductible for all of it.
A property wide checklist after a wind storm
- Roof: missing or creased shingles, ridge cap, vents, flashing
- Siding: loose, cracked or missing panels and trim
- Soffit and fascia: panels blown out, fascia pulled loose
- Gutters and downspouts: pulled from fascia or bent
- Windows and doors: broken glass, damaged screens, garage doors pushed in
- Fences, sheds, detached garages, pergolas and playsets
- Outdoor equipment such as the AC condenser struck by debris
- Interior and belongings soaked through a wind opening
How coverage parts work together
- Dwelling coverage pays for the house.
- Other structures coverage pays for detached items, commonly up to 10 percent of the dwelling limit.
- Personal property coverage pays for belongings, usually only if wind first created an opening.
- Loss of use pays reasonable extra living costs while the home is repaired, if it is not livable.
One storm, one deductible
Put everything from the same storm into a single claim. Splitting items into separate claims can mean separate deductibles and a longer claims history. See the after a storm checklist, which works for wind too.
What is not covered
Flood, wear and tear, and items not attached to or kept at the property under the policy's terms. Landscaping and trees have very limited coverage. For roof details, see wind damage roof claims.