Do you need separate wind insurance for your home?
Short answer. Usually not in Georgia. Standard homeowners policies already cover wind, so a separate wind policy is needed only when your policy specifically excludes windstorm, which happens mostly in coastal areas. The more useful check is your wind and hail deductible and how your roof settles after a wind loss.
The two-minute check
- Open your declarations page.
- Look for a deductible labeled wind, wind and hail, hurricane or named storm. If one is listed, wind is covered.
- Scan the forms list for a windstorm or hail exclusion. If there is one, you need wind coverage elsewhere.
- Check whether your lender requires wind coverage; most mortgage lenders do.
When a separate policy makes sense
- Coastal homes where the homeowners insurer excludes wind.
- Homes that can only get a basic fire policy, such as some vacant or hard-to-insure properties, which may cover only a few perils.
- Second homes on the coast with specialty coverage.
Ways to strengthen wind protection instead
- Lower deductible: moving from 2 percent to 1 percent costs more premium but cuts your share after a storm.
- Replacement cost on the roof: avoids age-based reductions.
- Ordinance or law coverage: pays for code upgrades during repairs.
- A stronger roof: high wind rated shingles installed to the manufacturer's nailing pattern, starter strips sealed at eaves and rakes, and a hip shape where the design allows.
Wind and inland Georgia
Straight-line thunderstorm winds, tornadoes and hurricane remnants all reach North Georgia, and Hurricane Helene in 2024 showed how far inland tropical wind can do damage. See wind damage roof claims and roof age and insurance.