Homeowners in 19 states along the East Coast, Tornado Alley, and Dixie Alley that are prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, and bad windstorms usually have a special windstorm or hurricane deductible on top of their standard home insurance deductible.
Also known as named storm deductibles, hurricane deductibles are typically higher than your regular home insurance deductible and calculated as a percentage of your home’s insured value — but sometimes they can be set at a flat dollar amount.
We break down exactly when these deductibles are triggered and the laws of each state to ensure you’re fully prepared to file a home insurance claim should a hurricane, tornado, or other windstorm damage your home.
What is a hurricane deductible?
Hurricane deductibles are what you’re responsible for paying when a hurricane damages your home before your insurance company kicks in to cover the rest. Hurricane deductibles are triggered if your home is damaged by wind or rain from a hurricane — though flooding caused by a hurricane isn’t covered by standard home insurance. You’ll need a separate flood insurance policy to be fully protected against storm surge during a hurricane or tropical storm.
Most hurricane deductibles are listed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit and apply specifically to hurricane-related wind and rain damage. However, some insurance companies may allow you to choose a hurricane deductible that’s a flat dollar amount — like $2,000 or $3,000 — similar to how you choose your standard home insurance deductible.
If your house is severely damaged during a hurricane and you file a claim, your hurricane deductible amount is subtracted from your total claim settlement before you’re reimbursed for the loss.
Which states have hurricane deductibles in 2024?
The following 19 states and Washington, D.C. have some form of hurricane, named storm, or windstorm deductible with varying criteria for when they can be triggered.
Learn more >> Jump down to hurricane deductible laws by state
When is a hurricane deductible triggered?
A hurricane deductible is typically triggered when the National Weather Service (NWS) or National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues a hurricane warning in your area or state.
However, your state and insurance company have the final say in when your hurricane deductible is triggered — in other words, when it needs to be paid when you file a claim.
For example, some states like Alabama and Georgia leave it entirely up to the individual insurance company to determine the rules for when a hurricane deductible is triggered.
How often do I have to pay a hurricane deductible?
Depending on your state and insurance company, hurricane deductibles are either paid:
Per storm: Your hurricane deductible is triggered every time a named storm damages your property — regardless of whether it happens in the same season or year.
Per season: Only pay the hurricane deductible once during hurricane season — even if your house is damaged by multiple hurricanes.
Per calendar year: Your hurricane deductible can only be applied once per year.
How are hurricane deductibles calculated?
Most insurance companies calculate your hurricane deductible as a percentage of your home’s insured value — also known as your dwelling coverage limit.
The typical hurricane deductible is between 1% and 5% — though it can go as high as 10% if you live in a high-risk area. While some insurers let you choose a hurricane deductible that’s a flat-dollar amount, that’s not the norm.
You also might have the option of leaving the hurricane deductible completely off of your policy — in which case your standard home insurance deductible would apply instead. Just keep in mind that you’ll likely be charged higher premiums if you don’t include a hurricane deductible in your policy.
How does a hurricane deductible work?
Let’s take a look at a hurricane deductible in action.
Say you have $200,000 in dwelling coverage, and a 5% hurricane deductible.
Your house incurs $120,000 in wind and rain damage during a hurricane.
When you file a claim, your insurer would deduct $10,000 ($200,000 x 0.05) from the loss amount before paying you the $110,000 claim settlement.
3 types of wind-related deductibles
In some states, insurance companies may have named storm or windstorm deductibles either separate from or in lieu of a hurricane deductible. Named storm and windstorm deductibles broaden the criteria under which higher percentage deductibles can be applied to claims.
Hurricane deductible | Named storm deductible | Windstorm deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|
What it is | A deductible that applies to wind damage specifically caused by a hurricane with wind speeds of 74+ mph | A deductible that applies to wind damage cause by a named storm — i.e. a tropical storm with wind speeds of 39+ mph | A deductible that applies to non-tropical-storm-related wind damage — whether from a mild storm to a tornado |
When it’s usually triggered | When the NWS or NHC reports wind speeds greater than 74 mph | When the NWS or NHC gives the storm a name | When your home is damaged from wind that’s not tropical storm related |
States where it’s common | Florida, Louisiana, and other states at high risk for hurricanes | Mississippi, New Jersey, and other states at high risk of tropical storms | Oklahoma, Texas, and other states in Tornado Alley |
Hurricane and named storm deductibles may also include a timing element. For example, the exact trigger could be 12 hours before the NWS issued a warning for any part of the state. And it might last until 24 hours after wind speeds of 74 mph or greater were last recorded.
If your home insurance has a hurricane or named storm deductible, be sure to check the fine print of your policy so you know for sure when it applies and when it doesn’t.
Hurricane deductible laws by state
Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding what kind of percentage deductibles insurers can charge as well as when they’re allowed to charge them.
Here are the current deductible laws in each state as of May 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute. [1]
State | When hurricane deductibles are triggered | Where to get help |
|---|---|---|
Alabama | At your insurance company’s discretion | |
Connecticut | When the NWS declares a hurricane with winds of 74+ mph anywhere in the state — lasting until 24 hours after the termination of the last hurricane warning or 24 hours after the hurricane is downgraded | |
Delaware | At your insurance company’s discretion — though rules must be clear and prominent | |
Florida | From the time a hurricane watch or warning is declared for any part of the state until 72 hours after the watch or warning ends, as well as anytime hurricane conditions exist in the state | |
Georgia | At your insurance company’s discretion | |
Hawaii | Varies by insurance company — but most trigger it when the NWS issues a hurricane watch or warning and it lasts for 72 hours | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance |
Louisiana | When the NHC reports wind strength of 74+ mph | |
Maine | When the NWS issues a hurricane warning for a forecast zone that includes your home’s municipality — and it ends 24 hours after the NWS terminates the last hurricane warning for your forecast zone | |
Maryland | When there’s a hurricane warning in any part of the state | |
Massachusetts | At your insurance company’s discretion | |
Mississippi | When the NWS or NHC issues a named storm or hurricane watch or warning anywhere in the state — and it ends 24 hours after the last named storm or hurricane watch or warning is terminated | |
New Jersey | When a storm is designated a hurricane by the NWS and when winds are 74+ mph anywhere in the state — the period begins 12 hours before the first time winds of 74+ mph are measured and ends 12 hours after the last time hurricane-force winds of 74+ mph are measured | |
New York | When a storm is designated a hurricane by the NWS or NHC | |
North Carolina | When an advisory, watch, or warning for a named storm is issued for any part of the state by the NWS — it ends 24 hours after the last named storm advisory, watch, or warning is issued for any part of the state, whichever is the latest | |
Pennsylvania | At your insurance company’s discretion | |
Rhode Island | Varies by region of the state — though typically triggered when a warning is issued or hurricane-force winds are recorded by the NWS | |
South Carolina | At your insurance company’s discretion — though they must include a clear explanation in your policy | |
Texas | One single windstorm deductible is triggered for all types of wind loss — whether from a hurricane, tornado, named storm, or other storm | |
Virginia | At your insurance company’s discretion | |
Washington, D.C. | When hurricane-force winds are recorded or the NHC designates the storm a hurricane in D.C. | District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking |
What hurricane deductibles are available in Florida?
Homeowners in Florida can choose a hurricane deductible that’s $500 (only for homes insured up to $250,000) or 2%, 5%, or 10% of their dwelling coverage limit, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Are hurricane deductibles waived for Category 5 hurricanes?
No, hurricane deductibles aren’t waived for Category 5 hurricanes. However, your deductible might be absorbed by your insurance company if the total loss and damages caused by the hurricane exceeds your policy limits — i.e. you file a total loss claim.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find my hurricane deductible on my policy?
You can check the declarations page on your home insurance policy to find all of your deductibles — including ones for named storms, hurricanes, and wind/hail.
What hurricane deductibles are available in Louisiana?
Homeowners in Louisiana can choose a hurricane or named storm deductible that’s between 2% and 5% of their dwelling coverage limit, according to the Louisiana Department of Insurance.
