What’s the Difference Between a Tropical Storm and a Hurricane for Your Insurance Coverage?

Living in Louisiana means having to be prepared for many types of severe weather, especially tropical storms and hurricanes. At Foulcard Insurance Agency, we know how important it is for our clients to understand how these storms can impact their insurance coverage. Knowing the difference between how policies may apply to tropical storms and hurricanes can help you better protect your financial interests.

How Insurance Coverage May Differ

In Louisiana, your homeowners insurance policy may treat tropical storms and hurricanes differently:

• Hurricane deductibles—Many policies include a separate, higher deductible for hurricane damage. This deductible typically applies when a storm is officially declared a hurricane by the National Weather Service.
• Tropical storm coverage—Damage from tropical storms is usually covered under the standard wind or storm provisions of your policy, with your regular deductible applying.
• Named storm deductibles—Some insurers use a “named storm” deductible, which can apply to both tropical storms and hurricanes once the storm is officially named.

Three Key Considerations

When considering coverage needs and policy options for your home, think about the following:

• Policy details—It’s important to know whether your policy has a hurricane or named storm deductible, and how much it is.
• Flood coverage—Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, which can occur during both tropical storms and hurricanes. Consider a separate flood insurance policy for full financial protection.
• Document belongings—Keep an updated inventory of your belongings and property condition to make the claims process smoother after a storm.

Preparing for Severe Weather

Our team encourages all Louisiana residents to review their insurance coverage before storm season begins. Understanding the differences in how tropical storms and hurricanes are handled can help you avoid surprises and verify that you have the right policies in place.

If you have questions about your coverage or want to make sure your property is ideally insured, contact us today.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.