Can you purchase insurance for a thunderstorm?

Basic homeowners insurance covers some types of storm damage without the need to purchase additional riders. An ordinary thunderstorm is generally covered under the most popular types of home insurance, including damages caused by high winds, lightning, or heavy rains. Purchasing additional coverage for thunderstorms would only be necessary if your policy specifically excluded thunderstorm damage or you needed a broader type of storm coverage such as tornado, hurricane or flood insurance.

Hurricanes are not usually covered in a basic home insurance policy, and purchasing hurricane or flood insurance may be difficult if your home is located in a high risk region. Some insurance companies will not write flood insurance policies or hurricane insurance at all, and high risk areas typically find themselves forced with purchasing their disaster coverage from a state sponsored insurance pool that all licensed insurance companies are required to contribute to. This means that you can get the necessary coverage no matter where you live, but it may cost you a great deal more if you live in an region that is prone to the disasters you are insuring against.

Flood insurance is not the same as being insured against water damage. Water damage is often included in the basic policy and pertains t such things as a broken water pipe or damaged caused by a hidden leak. Flood damage, on the other hand, is caused by water that overflow it's banks, and may include storm flooding, a failed dam or levy or the effects caused by a hurricane or other natural disaster such as an earthquake. Flood insurance must be purchased as a separate rider on your policy, unlike the lesser coverage for water damage.