Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to my roof?

Yes, standard homeowners insurance typically covers hail damage to roofs. However, you'll need to pay your deductible first, which may be higher if you have a separate wind/hail deductible. The amount you receive depends on whether you have replacement cost coverage (full replacement value) or actual cash value coverage (depreciated value based on roof age).

What's the difference between a tornado and straight-line wind damage for insurance purposes?

For most insurance policies, there's no practical difference—both are covered as wind damage under standard homeowners insurance. However, you'll typically pay the same wind/hail deductible for either type of damage. The main distinction matters more for weather forecasters than for your insurance claim.

Why is my wind/hail deductible higher than my regular deductible?

Insurers use higher wind/hail deductibles (often 1-5% of your dwelling coverage) because severe storms cause widespread damage to many homes simultaneously, creating massive claims volumes. This higher deductible helps insurers manage risk in storm-prone areas. You'll typically see these separate deductibles in states like Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, and other high-risk regions.

Will my insurance cover my roof if it's more than 15 years old?

It depends on your insurer and policy. Many insurers limit coverage on older roofs, either by offering only actual cash value (depreciated) coverage instead of full replacement cost, or by requiring roof inspections before providing full coverage. Some insurers won't cover roofs older than 20 years at all. Check your policy and consider replacing an aging roof before you need to file a claim.

How can I lower my severe storm insurance costs?

Install impact-resistant roofing materials rated for hail and wind resistance, which may qualify you for premium discounts. Strengthen your roof using FORTIFIED standards or similar programs. Increase your deductible if you can afford higher out-of-pocket costs. Maintain your roof diligently to prevent denied claims. Finally, shop around annually, as different insurers price storm risk differently.

Are severe convective storms getting worse every year?

The data suggests yes. Insured losses from severe convective storms exceeded $20 billion in eight of the past nine years, with 2025 reaching $50 billion. Average per-event costs jumped 31% higher than the previous decade. More homes in storm-prone areas, higher property values, increased construction costs, and aging infrastructure all contribute to escalating losses that show no signs of slowing.

Severe Storm Insurance 2026: Complete Coverage Guide

Something fundamental shifted in the insurance world in 2025. For the first time in modern history, severe convective storms—hail, tornadoes, and straight-line winds—caused more insured losses than hurricanes. We're not talking about a close race, either. Severe storms racked up $50 billion in damages while hurricanes barely made a dent at $2.5 billion. If you're a homeowner in 2026, this change affects your wallet, your coverage, and how you should think about protecting your home.

Why Severe Storms Just Became Your Biggest Insurance Concern

Here's what happened: Between January and September 2025, the U.S. experienced 39 separate severe convective storm events. Each one averaged more than $1 billion in insured losses. That's not a typo. Average per-event costs jumped 31% higher than the previous decade. The storms that hit in mid-May alone caused between $4 billion to $7 billion in damage, ranking among the costliest severe storm events in U.S. history.

The Midwest and Southeast bore the brunt of this onslaught. Major tornado outbreaks in March and May devastated communities, while relentless hail pummeled Texas so badly that more than 180,000 homes sustained damage in that state alone. Across the country, damaging hail hit 567,000 homes with a combined reconstruction value of $160 billion.

Why the dramatic increase? It's a perfect storm of factors. We're building more homes in storm-prone areas, those homes are worth more than ever, construction costs have skyrocketed, and many roofs are simply getting older and more vulnerable. Insurance executives aren't mincing words—87% say they're deeply concerned about future severe convective storm losses.

What Your Homeowners Insurance Actually Covers

Good news first: standard homeowners insurance typically covers damage from windstorms, hail, tornadoes, and straight-line winds. If a hailstorm punches holes in your roof or a tornado rips off your shingles, your policy should cover repairs or replacement up to your coverage limits.

But here's where it gets tricky. Many insurers now add a separate wind/hail deductible to policies, especially in high-risk states like Florida and Texas. This means you might have a standard $1,000 deductible for most claims, but a 2% or even 5% deductible for wind and hail damage. On a $300,000 home, that 2% deductible means you're paying the first $6,000 out of pocket before insurance kicks in.

The type of coverage matters enormously. Replacement cost coverage pays the full cost to repair or replace your roof at current prices. Actual cash value coverage, on the other hand, factors in depreciation based on your roof's age. If your 15-year-old roof gets destroyed by hail, actual cash value might only pay half what a new roof costs. Always opt for replacement cost if you can afford the higher premium—it's worth it.

Your roof's age also determines how much coverage you can get. Some insurers won't provide full coverage on roofs older than 15 or 20 years, or they'll only offer actual cash value on aging roofs. If your roof is showing its age, consider replacing it before you file a claim. It might seem counterintuitive, but a new roof could save you thousands in denied claims or depreciated payouts.

Understanding Your Risk: It's Higher Than You Think

The numbers are staggering. Over 41 million homes sit in areas with moderate or greater risk for hail of one inch or more—that's $13.4 trillion in replacement costs. More than 66 million homes face tornado risk totaling $21 trillion in value. And straight-line winds threaten 53 million homes worth $18.6 trillion.

Texas leads every state in exposure to all three perils—hail, tornadoes, and straight-line winds. Its size, geographic position, and massive concentrations of homes create a perfect target for severe convective storms. But don't assume you're safe if you live elsewhere. These storms are democratic in their destruction, hitting the Great Plains, Midwest, Southeast, and even parts of the Northeast with increasing frequency.

Hail produces the largest losses, typically accounting for 50% to 80% of all severe convective storm claims. A single hailstorm can overwhelm insurance company claims systems when thousands of homeowners file simultaneously. This is why some insurers are tightening policy terms, raising deductibles, and even restricting coverage in high-risk areas.

How to Protect Your Home and Your Wallet in 2026

First, review your policy right now. Don't wait until storm season hits. Check your deductibles—both your standard deductible and any separate wind/hail deductible. Verify whether you have replacement cost or actual cash value coverage. If your policy has limitations based on roof age, find out exactly what they are.

Consider strengthening your roof. Several states launched programs in 2025 to help homeowners reinforce roofs against severe weather. Oklahoma's Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Program offers up to $10,000 to reinforce roofs using FORTIFIED standards in vulnerable communities. Check whether your state offers similar incentives. Even without subsidies, impact-resistant roofing materials and proper installation can reduce damage and might qualify you for insurance discounts.

Document everything. Before storm season, photograph your roof, siding, windows, and property. After a storm, document all damage immediately with photos and videos. Keep receipts for emergency repairs. This documentation becomes crucial when filing claims, especially when insurance adjusters are swamped with thousands of claims from the same storm event.

Maintain your roof diligently. Insurance won't cover damage from neglect or normal wear and tear. Clean your gutters, replace missing shingles, fix minor leaks immediately, and have professional inspections every few years. A well-maintained roof not only lasts longer but also gives you a stronger position when filing claims.

Getting the Right Coverage for 2026 and Beyond

The severe storm threat isn't going away. If anything, experts predict it will intensify. Now's the time to make sure your coverage matches your risk. Shop around if your current insurer has jacked up rates or reduced coverage. Some carriers specialize in high-risk areas and might offer better terms.

Talk to an independent insurance agent who can compare policies from multiple insurers. They can explain the nuances of different policies—like whether your policy covers the full cost of code upgrades if you need to rebuild, or whether you have extended replacement cost coverage that goes beyond your policy limits if construction costs spike after a major disaster.

The insurance landscape changed in 2025 when severe storms became the dominant peril. Your coverage needs to change too. Review your policy, strengthen your home, understand your deductibles, and make sure you have replacement cost coverage on a roof that's in good shape. The storms are coming—make sure you're ready.

Severe Storm Insurance in 2026

Key Takeaways