Does Hurricane Insurance Cover Storm Surge Damage?

Hurricane insurance can be a lifesaver, but it's essential to know what's covered and what's not. Some policies may not cover storm surge damage, especially if it's not explicitly listed as a covered peril.

The good news is that many standard homeowners insurance policies do cover damage caused by storm surges. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, storm surges are a leading cause of flood damage from hurricanes.

However, it's crucial to check your policy documents to see if storm surge damage is included. Some policies may have specific exclusions or limitations for storm surge damage, so it's essential to review your policy carefully.

Storm surge is an abnormal increase in coastal water levels caused by a major storm or hurricane, pushing water inland and sometimes causing water levels to rise by 15 feet or more.

High winds from the storm can be compounded by high tides, heavy rainfall, and waves, especially in slow-moving storms or areas already saturated with wet weather. This can lead to catastrophic damages even in areas not heavily affected by high winds.

A Category 4 hurricane or stronger can make every area along the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast of the United States potentially vulnerable to storm surge.

Storm surge is an abnormal increase in coastal water levels caused by a major storm or hurricane. High winds from the storm can push water inland, sometimes causing water levels to rise by 15 feet or more.

In a Category 4 hurricane or stronger, every area along the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast of the United States is potentially vulnerable to storm surge.

A hurricane doesn't have to be that strong to create severe storm surge, and it's not only businesses on the coast that need to be concerned.

Even after a hurricane has been downgraded, storm surge can still be catastrophic. Hurricane Katrina's storm surge rose to 28 feet with the storm's landfall, despite being downgraded to Category 3.

Storm surge can affect areas up to 30 miles inland, as seen in Hurricane Ike, where a 20-foot rise in storm surge affected some communities in Texas and Louisiana.

Storm surge is caused by a combination of high water levels and intense winds.

The normal tide is either high or low based on the time of day, but a storm can raise water levels making it a storm tide.

A storm surge is not included on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale because there are too many variables to consider.

Many factors determine the impact and extent of a storm surge, such as the storm's overall size and speed, as well as the shape of the coastline.

A storm surge can have a devastating impact, especially when it occurs during high tide.

Hurricane Katrina's storm surge was 28 feet high, despite the storm being downgraded to a category 3 when it reached the coast of Louisiana.

Storm surges can impact more than just coastlines by causing damage inland as well.

Insurance coverage for storm surge can be a complex issue, and it's essential to understand what's covered and what's not. Typically, commercial hurricane insurance policies don't cover storm surge damages, which are instead covered by flood insurance policies.

Businesses with commercial flood insurance policies can recover compensation for structural damages, building contents, cleaning and mold prevention, and some equipment. However, sorting out the difference between "hurricane" claims and "flood" claims can be frustrating and time-consuming in large-scale losses.

In Florida, for example, most of the damage incurred in the Tampa Bay region and other areas of the Gulf Coast is from storm surge and flooding versus wind damage. This highlights the importance of having flood insurance to cover these types of losses.

Homeowners often assume their home insurance covers damage from storm surge-related flooding, but this is usually not the case. Homeowners insurance policies typically don't include protection for losses related to storm surge, sudden downpours, and flash flooding.

You can determine your property's level of flood risk by finding out what flood zone it's in. You can view your local flood map by visiting FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or contacting your city or county government.

Storm surge can happen quickly and far from a storm's center, affecting areas that don't typically flood. Your insurance advisor can help you understand your risk and potential solutions to protect your property against loss.

Flood insurance is a must-have for those living in high-risk flood zones, and it's also a good idea for those in low-risk zones to consider it, especially if you live near a body of water.

Storm surge damage is often not covered by typical commercial hurricane insurance policies, but it is covered by commercial flood insurance policies.

Most of the damage incurred in areas like the Tampa Bay region and Florida's Gulf Coast is from storm surge and flooding, rather than wind damage.

In Collier County, for example, there are about 100,000 national flood insurance policies in place, compared to the county's 355,167 parcels.

The source of the water determines coverage, and if the damage is from storm surge, you'll need to have flood insurance to be eligible for compensation.

In areas where storm surge is a common issue, such as near rivers or coastlines, flood insurance can be unaffordable for some property owners, like the Padgett family in Steinhatchee, who had to abandon their home after Hurricane Ian.

The Padgett family had researched flood insurance, but it was too expensive for them, and they didn't have it when their home was swept away by the storm.