Does house insurance cover storm damage beyond the roof?
Short answer. Yes. Storm coverage applies to the whole house, not just the roof: windows, doors, garage doors, siding, decks, screens, outdoor fixtures, the AC condenser and items like solar panels attached to the home. These are easy to overlook, so walk the entire exterior after a storm and include everything from the same event in one claim.
Exterior items often missed
- Window screens and frames: torn screens and dented aluminum or vinyl frames and wraps
- Garage doors: dented panels from hail, or doors pushed off track by wind
- Exterior paint and stain: hail spatter marks and chipped paint on wood trim and decks
- Decks and railings: dents in composite or vinyl, cracked boards from limbs
- AC condenser fins: flattened by hail; claims often cover combing or replacement depending on damage
- Outdoor lighting, mailboxes, satellite dishes
- Solar panels attached to the house
- Chimney caps and chase covers
- Soffit, fascia and gutters
Inside the house
Interior ceilings, walls and floors damaged by water that came through a storm opening, belongings, and reasonable extra living costs if you cannot stay home during repairs.
Why bundling matters
One storm is generally one occurrence and one deductible. Filing the roof now and the garage door later can mean a second claim, a second deductible and a reopened file. Walk the property with a list and photograph every side of the house, including close ups of dents with a coin or tape measure for scale. See the after a storm checklist.
Not covered
Flood, landscaping beyond limited coverage, wear and cosmetic damage on items covered by a cosmetic exclusion. See cosmetic damage exclusions.