Does Car Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

Hurricanes are one of the most common perils in the United States. Comprehensive insurance is the best way to ensure that your insurance covers hurricane damage.
Written by Marisol Pereira
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
If you have a comprehensive insurance policy, you're probably covered in the event of a hurricane.
Sadly, hurricanes are not an odd occurrence in the United States. In fact, they are one of the
most common natural disasters in the United States
.
These violent storms with high winds can affect big areas in a short period of time and can potentially cause significant damage. Yet, hurricane damage is rarely mentioned when it comes to car insurance. If you're unsure if hurricanes are covered by your insurance policy, read on to find out everything you need to know about hurricane coverage.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

Is my car protected against hurricanes?

Your car may or may not be protected against hurricane–it all depends on how much coverage you have. While "hurricane insurance" isn't really a thing,
comprehensive coverage
can help you.
Most people have the car insurance that is required by law; this coverage usually includes costs for bodily injuries and property damage that is directly linked to a car accident. This coverage is often considered the bare minimum. As you might have guessed, this would not cover damages related to a hurricane.
However, if your vehicle is covered under a comprehensive insurance policy, you'd be covered against the following things:
Hurricanes fall under the "weather and storm damage" category, so as long as you have comprehensive coverage, your car insurance will cover hurricane damage.

Can I upgrade to a comprehensive insurance policy?

Usually, yes, you should have no problem contacting your insurance company and signing up for an upgrade. However, there is one instance in which your insurer will deny you this request.
Insurance companies are smart. They know that once a hurricane is announced, thousands of people will suddenly want the comprehensive coverage and might sign up for it at the last minute. This could potentially cost the insurance company quite a bit of money.
Think about it this way: a bunch of people sign up for the coverage, they pay a month of the policy, and the next thing they know is they're all filling claims for thousands of dollars. It's not great business for the insurance company, which is precisely why most of them limit or completely prohibit new enrollments or upgrades once a hurricane has been announced.
So, if you're thinking about getting comprehensive coverage for your car, make sure to do it before the next hurricane season arrives.

Will adding insurance raise my premiums?

With additional coverage, a rise in premiums is expected. A comprehensive insurance policy covers much more than a basic insurance policy. This broader coverage will be reflected in an average increase of $600 per year in your premiums. However, the increase will be small compared to the potential costs you may be liable to if a hurricane causes you to lose your car.
Remember that a hurricane can affect your car in many ways: the wind could flip it, a tree could fall on top of it, flood damage might damage electrical or mechanical systems, or a flying object might break your windows. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, comprehensive car coverage might be a saving grace.

Will my premium increase after filing a claim?

Usually, when people file a claim, their insurance premium goes up, and hurricane claims are no exception. While you might be thinking, "well, what's the point of having insurance if I'll have to pay more every time I use it?" This can be frustrating, but keep two things in mind:
  1. Hurricanes don't just happen to you; they happen to many people at the same time. Insurance companies have to pay out multiple claims at once; this amounts to millions of dollars flowing out of the company, so they need a way to bring some money back.
  2. The premium increase you'd be paying would amount to nothing next to the costs you'd have to cover if you had to pay for 100% of the damages your car might've suffered.

Get the best coverage with Jerry

If you're looking for a comprehensive coverage insurance policy, try saving money while reducing the hassle of looking for a new policy with
Jerry
. A car insurance super-app, Jerry will find the best coverage for you with several competitive quotes for you to choose from.
Jerry takes guesswork out of finding cheap car insurance. As a technology-powered personal insurance shopper, Jerry uses AI to automate the car insurance comparison process, which makes it easy for you to compare and buy while saving money.
RECOMMENDED
Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.
avatar
Judith switched to Progressive
icon savingsSaved $725 annually
avatar
Alexander switched to Travelers
icon savingsSaved $834 annually
avatar
Annie switched to Nationwide
icon savingsSaved $668 annually
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings