Tornado Insurance Protection
There are many regional areas in the United States that are hot beds for tornado activity. If you live in the Midwest or another area of high risk, then tornado insurance is an important consideration. Learn about the basics of tornado insurance so that you can properly protect your home in the event of damage.
Buying Tornado Insurance
Unlike other major catastrophes such as earthquakes and hurricanes, tornadoes are often covered within a traditional homeowners policy. As such, your current home insurance may already protect you. To find out if this is the case, review your policy. Most home policies operate under a “named perils” platform, which means that all coverable hazards will be explicitly stated in the policy. If you find that tornado insurance is not included in your present policy, then consider contacting your current provider to review your options for inclusion. While you’re at it, you may also wish to receive additional insurance quotes from competitors to see if you can find a more affordable policy option elsewhere.
Ensure Proper Tornado Insurance Coverage
When purchasing tornado insurance, it is important to be aware of any limitations in coverage. Ideally, your policy will adequately protect the total value of your home and personal belongings. This is because tornadoes have the potential to destroy an entire household within a matter of seconds. Buying a policy with adequate reimbursement caps ensures that you will be properly covered in the event of a total loss.
Beyond policy limitations, you may also want to review other stipulations of coverage. For example, many policies help pay for living expenses (hotel fees, etc.) that may accrue if a tornado displaces you from your home.
Saving Money on Tornado Insurance
There are several ways to reduce your annual tornado insurance premiums. Discounts are often given to homeowners that take steps to safeguard their homes from wind damage. Storm shutters, impact-resistant windows and wind-resistant roofs may all result in discount pricing. Choosing to raise your deductible is another simple way to lower your premium. However, this should be done with caution, as a high deductible may strain you financially when it comes time to file a claim. Of course, comparison shopping tornado insurance packages from a number of reliable providers in your area may also result in price savings.