Severe weather is unpredictable, especially in Southwest Ohio. One major storm can damage your home, property, and peace of mind. Protecting your home from severe weather means preparation is key—and insurance matters.
Why Severe Weather Protection Is Essential
Hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, floods, and wildfires are becoming more common, costing homeowners billions each year. A well-prepared home stands a better chance of withstanding these threats. A strong insurance policy helps you recover faster after disaster strikes. Reaching out to our team of knowledgeable insurance advisors is a great strategy in building a strong policy. We know the ins and outs of most major insurance carriers in the preferred market and can tailor coverage just for you!
Understand Your Insurance Coverage
Let’s start with your current homeowner’s policy. It’s important to know what it includes—and what it doesn’t.
Many policies cover:
- Wind and hail damage
- Fire and smoke damage
- Vandalism and theft
- Falling objects (like trees)
However, most do not include:
- Flood damage
- Earthquake damage
- Sewer backup
- Landslides or mudslides
These usually require separate policies or endorsements. Ask our team for clarification on carriers that include these endorsements.
Wind and Hail Protection
Wind and hail are among the most frequent claims. Check if your policy has a separate windstorm deductible, many do, and in recent years this deductible has likely been adjusted by your current carrier to address increased claims activity nationwide.
Some areas, especially coastal zones, require hurricane deductibles. These are usually a percentage of your home’s insured value.
Homeowner tip: Make sure your roof is up to date. Older roofs may lead to reduced coverage or denied claims.
Flood Insurance Is a Must in Risk Zones
Flood damage is not covered by standard policies. You will need a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer – our agency happens to be able to help!
Even if you’re outside high-risk zones, floods can happen. Just one inch of water can cause over $25,000 in damage. We have extensive information about what to do when water strikes your home in other ways, and our team knows all about coverages for this kind of loss.
Earthquake Insurance
Earthquakes can cause devastating structural damage. Standard home insurance usually excludes this risk. If you live in a fault zone, ask our team about earthquake endorsements or standalone earthquake policies. We have experience in this type of coverage as well.
Loss of Use Coverage
If your home becomes unlivable, “loss of use” helps. This has its own line item on your home policy and it pays for:
- Temporary housing
- Food and living expenses
- Transportation and utilities
This coverage can be a lifesaver after a natural disaster. Make sure you have a healthy amount of coverage for this purpose.
Protecting Your Home From Severe Weather: It’s Also Your Responsibility
- Create a digital inventory of your belongings, including photos, receipts, and serial numbers for electronics or appliances. Store this inventory in the cloud or off-site. It speeds up claims and proves what you owned.
- Seal doors and windows with weatherproof caulk. Install storm shutters or impact-rated windows.
- Anchor outdoor items such as furniture, planters, and grills- they can become projectiles. Bring them inside before storms.
- Trim trees and branches to prevent falling limbs from hitting your home or power lines.
- Don’t forget the basement: Install a sump pump, seal foundation cracks, elevate water heaters and HVAC units, and install backflow valves in drains
- Make sure you have an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, bottle water, first aid supplies, extra cash and phone chargers.
- Create a family evacuation plan and practice it regularly.
What to Do After A Storm Hits
- Take photos or video of any damage.
- Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
- Contact your insurance advisor before filing a claim.
- Use licensed and insured contractors to do any repair work. Our team at Cincinnatus Insurance works with a large list of referral partners we can suggest!
Final Thoughts
Don’t wait until after a storm to take action protecting your home from severe weather. This work takes planning, preparation, and the right insurance coverage. Get started on this today if you haven’t already!