If you've lived in Illinois for any length of time, you know the drill. Spring arrives, the skies turn green, and everyone starts checking the weather radar obsessively. In 2024 alone, Illinois experienced 142 tornadoes—a new state record and nearly triple the typical annual count. Whether you're in Chicago's suburbs or a small town downstate, tornado risk is real, and understanding your insurance coverage isn't optional anymore.
Here's the good news: you probably already have tornado insurance. The less good news? Understanding exactly how it works, what you'll pay out of pocket, and how to actually file a claim can be confusing. Let's break it down in plain English.
What Tornado Coverage Actually Includes
Standard homeowners insurance in Illinois covers tornado damage as part of windstorm coverage. You don't need to purchase a separate tornado policy or add a special rider. If a tornado rips off your roof, shatters your windows, or flattens your garage, your homeowners policy should cover it.
Your policy typically includes three main components that respond to tornado damage. Dwelling coverage protects the physical structure of your home—the walls, roof, foundation, and attached structures like your garage. If your home is damaged or destroyed, this coverage pays to repair or rebuild it up to your policy limits. Personal property coverage protects your belongings inside the home, from furniture and clothing to electronics and appliances. And additional living expenses coverage is crucial if tornado damage makes your home unlivable—it pays for hotel bills, restaurant meals, and other costs while your home is being repaired.
But there's a critical gap you need to know about: flooding. If a tornado causes flooding—whether from torrential rain, a damaged roof letting water pour in, or debris blocking drainage—that water damage typically isn't covered by your homeowners policy. Standard policies explicitly exclude flood damage, which means you need separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier. Many Illinois homeowners learned this the hard way during the July 2024 derecho that produced 32 tornadoes and massive flooding across northern Illinois.
Understanding Your Deductible (This Part Is Changing)
Here's where things get tricky, and where many Illinois homeowners are seeing big changes. Traditionally, homeowners insurance used flat dollar deductibles—you might pay $1,000 or $2,500 out of pocket before insurance kicks in, regardless of the claim size. Simple enough.
But due to the dramatic increase in severe weather claims, many Illinois insurers have shifted to percentage-based wind and hail deductibles. As of 2024-2025, major carriers like State Farm now require a minimum 1% wind/hail deductible, and some policies have deductibles ranging from 1% to 5% of your dwelling coverage amount. What does this mean in real dollars? If your home is insured for $300,000 and you have a 2% wind/hail deductible, you'll pay the first $6,000 of any tornado damage claim yourself. That's significantly more than the $1,000 flat deductible you might have had before.
This shift caught many homeowners off guard at renewal time. It's worth reviewing your policy declarations page right now to see whether you have a flat or percentage deductible for wind and hail damage. If you're facing a percentage deductible you can't afford, talk to your agent about options—sometimes you can pay a higher premium to keep a flat deductible, or you might increase other coverage areas to balance out the higher deductible risk.
How to File a Tornado Insurance Claim
When a tornado strikes, you're dealing with immediate safety concerns, possible evacuation, and the shock of seeing your home damaged. But once you're safe, the clock starts ticking on your insurance claim. Here's exactly what you need to do.
First, document everything before you touch anything. Pull out your phone and take photos and videos of every bit of damage, inside and outside. Capture wide shots showing the full scope and close-ups of specific damage. This documentation is your evidence and will be critical if there's any dispute about what the tornado damaged versus pre-existing issues. If you have photos of your home before the storm, gather those too.
Second, prevent further damage. Your policy requires this—it's called your "duty to mitigate." If your roof is damaged, tarp it. If windows are broken, board them up. Save all receipts for materials and labor, because your insurance will typically reimburse you for these emergency repairs. Just don't make permanent repairs yet, as the adjuster needs to see and document the original damage.
Third, contact your insurance company immediately—within 24 to 48 hours if possible. Have your policy number ready. They'll assign you a claim number and send you claim forms to complete. During major tornado outbreaks like Illinois experienced in July 2024, insurers get swamped with claims, so filing quickly helps you get in the queue faster.
An insurance adjuster will schedule a time to inspect your property. Be there during the inspection and walk them through every area of damage—don't assume they'll find everything on their own. Take notes on what they examine and ask for a copy of their assessment. If you're staying in a hotel because your home is uninhabitable, keep every receipt. Your additional living expenses coverage should reimburse you for reasonable costs above your normal living expenses.
Keep detailed records of everything: every phone call with your insurer (note the date, time, and who you spoke with), every email, every receipt. Create a claim file and keep it organized. This paper trail becomes essential if there are any delays or disputes.
What You Should Do Right Now
Don't wait until tornado sirens are blaring to think about your insurance coverage. Take these steps today. Pull out your homeowners insurance policy and read the declarations page. Look for your dwelling coverage amount, your wind/hail deductible (flat dollar amount or percentage?), and your personal property coverage limit. If you're not sure you have enough coverage to rebuild your home at today's construction costs, call your agent. With Illinois home insurance premiums rising 50% between 2021 and 2024, many homeowners have reduced their coverage to save money—but that could leave you dramatically underinsured if a tornado hits.
Create a home inventory. Walk through your house with your phone and video everything—open closets, drawers, your garage, basement, attic. Narrate as you go, describing items and approximate values. Save this video to the cloud. If a tornado destroys your home, trying to remember everything you owned from memory is nearly impossible, and without documentation, your insurer may challenge your personal property claim.
Consider flood insurance if you don't have it. Given that Illinois saw 142 tornadoes in 2024, many accompanied by severe flooding, the risk is higher than most people realize. Flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before they take effect, so you can't buy coverage when a tornado is in the forecast.
Finally, prepare an emergency kit that includes copies of your insurance policy, your agent's contact information, and your policy number. Keep this in a waterproof bag that you can grab quickly if you need to evacuate. After a major tornado, you might not have access to your home or your computer for days or weeks, but you'll need this information to file your claim.
Illinois tornado risk isn't going away—2024's record-breaking season made that clear. But with the right coverage, a clear understanding of your deductible, and a solid plan for documenting and filing claims, you can protect yourself financially when severe weather strikes. Take 30 minutes this week to review your coverage, create your home inventory, and make sure you're prepared. Your future self will thank you.
