Does house insurance cover storm damage inside the house?
Short answer. Yes, when the storm first created an opening, such as wind tearing off shingles, hail breaking a skylight or a tree puncturing the roof, and water or debris came through it. Interior repairs fall under dwelling coverage, belongings under personal property and hotel costs under loss of use, while flooding, long-term leaks and mold beyond the policy's limits are commonly excluded.
The coverage parts inside the house
- Dwelling: drywall, ceilings, insulation, floors, cabinets, built-in appliances and wiring.
- Personal property: furniture, electronics, clothes and rugs. Often settled at actual cash value first, with replacement cost paid after you replace items, if your policy includes replacement cost on contents.
- Loss of use: extra living expenses when the home is not livable.
Common limits and exclusions
- Rain without an opening: water that gets in through a worn roof or a window left open is generally not covered.
- Flood: water rising from the ground is excluded and needs a flood policy.
- Mold: often excluded or capped unless it results from a covered water loss you addressed promptly.
- Power surge: surge from a lightning strike is usually covered; spoilage from outages caused elsewhere is often limited.
- Special limits: jewelry, cash, collectibles and similar items carry low sub-limits.
Protect the claim
Stop the water, start drying, and photograph before you throw anything out. If you discard wet carpet or drywall for safety, keep a sample and photos. Report interior damage on the same claim as the roof so one deductible applies. Read interior water damage coverage and ACV versus RCV settlement.