Does Insurance Cover Tornado Damage?

Tornadoes are powerful forces of nature that can blow in seemingly from nowhere, no matter where you live in the United States. While you can’t stop a storm, you can be ready for one by implementing a tornado safety plan for you and your loved ones.

But what about your house, valuables and vehicle? Does your insurance protect your belongings from damages caused by a twister? If you’re looking for answers to those questions, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s how you may be able to help protect yourself from unexpected losses.

Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage?

Insurance companies' standard homeowners policies offer limited coverage after a qualifying event. While tornadoes often qualify as a covered loss for standard home insurance, insurers define covered events differently, so it's crucial to check your policy for details.

If your insurer does offer tornado protection, ensure you understand your policy's limitations. After a tornado, a standard home insurance policy often covers your home's primary structure, other structures like your fence and your belongings. However, limitations and deductibles frequently apply.

Customize Your Homeowners Insurance with Add-Ons

The best insurance policies help you protect everything you’ve worked for by minimizing out-of-pocket expenses after a loss. 

Suppose you have expensive jewelry to protect, and your jewelry coverage limitations aren't high enough to help you replace your valuables after a qualifying event. In that case, buying more insurance coverage may better protect you from losses.

But before you update your policy, consider the following homeowners insurance add-ons that may also offer more tornado protection.

Matching Siding Coverage

Many standard homeowners policies may help replace damaged sections of siding due to a covered loss. However, matching siding coverage may help reimburse you for replacing the remaining undamaged siding so everything matches.

Roof Replacement Coverage

Suppose a tornado damages your roof. In that case, a standard homeowners insurance policy may help reimburse you for its current value, which factors in its age, material and condition up to your policy limits. Roof damage coverage may help you bridge the gap between the difference in the value of your current roof’s age and the replacement cost of getting a new one.

Loss of Use Coverage

While many home insurance policies offer loss of use coverage, which may help cover temporary living expenses after your home has been deemed uninhabitable by a qualifying professional, protections are limited. Checking and updating your limitations can give you added peace of mind after losing access to your home.

Itemized Personal Property Insurance 

If your standard homeowners insurance personal property limits are too low, adding scheduled personal property coverage may help you better protect your valuables. It allows you to itemize your belongings (Opens in a new tab) and increase your coverage limits for items like art, jewelry and electronics.

For more add-on coverage that may help protect you after a tornado, check out our homeowners insurance coverages page or speak with your American Family Insurance agent today.

Does car insurance cover tornado damage?

If your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, your vehicle may be covered for tornado damages.

Comprehensive coverage helps address damages caused by accidents that don't involve colliding with another vehicle or object. It's designed to help protect you from losses involving theft, collisions with animals and natural disasters such as tornadoes.

While comprehensive coverage is a wise investment for all policyholders, it’s a must-have in regions where tornadoes are common. As with your homeowners insurance policy, it's important to check with your insurance agent to ensure you have the right coverage limits and add-on auto coverages to ensure you're protected.

Feeling better about protecting your valuables from tornado damage? We hope so. But if you have questions or want to update your coverages, your American Family Insurance agent is always ready to help.

If you don't have coverage yet, you can get a custom homeowners insurance and/or auto insurance quote online. Also, make sure to check out our coverage discounts.

This information represents only a brief description of coverages, is not part of your policy, and is not a promise or guarantee of coverage. If there is any conflict between this information and your policy, the provisions of the policy will prevail. Insurance policy terms and conditions may apply. Exclusions may apply to policies, endorsements, or riders. Coverage may vary by state and may be subject to change. Some products are not available in every state. Please read your policy and contact your agent for assistance.

*Customers who bundle home and auto insurance policies may save up to 23% on both policies together (as of December 2023). Discounts may vary by state, property, policy form and company underwriting the home and/or auto policy. Discounts may not apply to all coverages on a home or auto policy.