Does insurance cover wind damage?
Short answer. Yes. Standard homeowners policies in Georgia cover windstorm damage to the house, other structures and belongings, minus your deductible. They do not cover wear and tear, rain that gets in without a wind-created opening, or flooding, and some policies carry a separate, higher wind and hail deductible or exclude wind entirely near the coast.
What wind coverage usually includes
- Shingles, ridge caps and flashing torn off or creased.
- Siding, soffit, fascia and gutters pulled loose.
- Fences, sheds and detached garages, under other structures coverage.
- Trees blown onto covered structures, and their removal within policy limits.
- Rain damage inside when wind first created the opening.
- Extra living costs if the home becomes unlivable.
What it usually does not
- Old or loose shingles that blew off because the roof was worn out. Adjusters look for fresh tears and crease lines, not brittle edges.
- Wind-driven rain through closed windows or under intact shingles, without an opening created by the wind.
- Storm surge and flood water, which need flood insurance.
- Trees that fall without hitting anything, beyond limited removal money.
The deductible surprise
Many Georgia policies apply a separate wind and hail deductible, often a percentage of your dwelling coverage. At 2 percent on a $300,000 dwelling limit, that is $6,000 before the insurer pays. Some coastal policies use a named storm or hurricane deductible instead. Read the percentage deductible explanation before you file.
How to make a wind claim stick
Write down the date, look up the strongest gusts reported near you, photograph missing and creased shingles, and save any that blew into the yard. Adjusters also check whether the sealant strips broke recently. Our page on wind damage roof claims covers the evidence in detail.