{"id":21473,"date":"2021-01-29T16:23:26","date_gmt":"2021-01-30T00:23:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=21473"},"modified":"2026-04-14T02:01:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T09:01:38","slug":"natural-disaster-insurance-claim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/natural-disaster-insurance-claim\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Tips for Filing a Natural Disaster Insurance Claim"},"content":{"rendered":"

After Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast, many homeowners found that navigating their insurance coverage was another disaster entirely. In New Jersey alone, over 6,000 flood-insurance claims were rejected, and another 1,500 cases ended up in litigation.<\/a><\/p>\n

New Jerseyans aren\u2019t alone: In 2019, natural disasters accounted for $52 billion of the total $60 billion in insured losses<\/a> globally. These cataclysmic events present a unique threat to homes because typical home insurance policies do not cover most of the damage caused by them. Even when homeowners do have catastrophe insurance, many are either underinsured or don\u2019t understand their coverage.<\/p>\n

With climate change increasing the frequency of natural disasters<\/a>, it\u2019s never been more important to get on top of your insurance. HomeLight asked industry experts their top tips for getting the most out of a natural disaster insurance claim.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> Source: (One Stock Photo \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You need additional insurance to file a natural disaster claim<\/h2>\n

Home insurance is ubiquitous, in large part because lenders require it<\/a> when buyers apply for a mortgage. What many homeowners don\u2019t realize is that home insurance isn\u2019t all-encompassing<\/a>. Most home insurance policies<\/a> cover interior and exterior damage, loss of personal assets, and injury that occurs on the property; but the damage caused by so-called \u201cacts of God<\/a>\u201d\u2014 defined as an uncontrollable event like a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, or flood \u2014 are typically excluded from these policies.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where natural disaster or catastrophe insurance<\/a> comes in. These are separate policies that specifically cover damage caused by acts of God. Unlike home insurance, there isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all when it comes to catastrophe insurance. In most cases, homeowners will need to buy specific policies to cover the natural disasters they are at risk for, whether it be flood, wind, fire, or all of the above. While this may sound a lot like Hazard Insurance<\/a> \u2014 a part of most home insurance policies that cover home structure damage \u2014 catastrophe insurance policies offer more comprehensive coverage that includes both natural and man-made events.<\/p>\n

1. Choose the best policy for your natural disaster risks<\/h2>\n

Just like home insurance, most lenders will require you to buy flood insurance<\/a> if your home is in a flood-risk zone. This policy may not provide you all the protection you need, though. Follow these steps to get the most out of your natural disaster coverage.<\/p>\n

Research your home\u2019s risks<\/h3>\n

When it comes to getting the most out of your natural disaster insurance claim, the best thing you can do is to choose a policy that protects against the damage your home is most at risk for. For example, Teresa Cowart<\/a>, an expert real estate agent with 15 years of experience with a whopping 1,100+ homes sold, shares that flood and wind insurance are a must for her area in Coastal Georgia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am continuously telling people: \u2018Protect your investment,\u201d she says. \u201cWe have tropical storms all the time, and we have hurricanes that pass by us all the time . . . Unfortunately, if it is a named storm, your regular insurance doesn’t always cover that, and if it does, now your deductible is much higher.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cowart is referring to the named storm trigger<\/a> in most home insurance policies. The World Meteorological Organization began naming tropical storms, cyclones, and hurricanes in 1953 in order to streamline communications around these potentially devastating events<\/a>. After the record-breaking damage caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992<\/a>, insurance companies began using the naming of a storm as a benchmark for an event that was an \u201cact of God,\u201d and that they could not assume the typical level of risk.<\/p>\n

This is where disaster insurance kicks in. When you bought your home, the previous owners should have provided you with a Natural Hazard Report<\/a> detailing the known natural disaster risks in your area. Review the report and start researching which policies to purchase that match your home\u2019s risks.<\/p>\n

Consult an expert<\/h3>\n

When researching natural disaster insurance, your real estate agent is a great resource, especially if they\u2019re local to your area. Cowart, for example, has a list of insurance vendors she recommends.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just know that these folks are reputable and stand behind what they sell, and that’s important to me. And if I’m gonna put my name on it, it’s going to be somebody who’s going to help you.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Cowart has the experience to back up her recommendations, too. After a hurricane flooded her home, Cowart says her insurance company \u201cwas amazing. I had a check-in like three days and had things moving along, but that isn’t always the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Find a local insurance ace<\/h3>\n

Just like you researched and vetted your real estate agent when buying or selling your home, you\u2019ll want to do the same with your insurance agent. These experts are your most valuable resource when assessing the policies that will best suit you and your home\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n

Luis Quintero<\/a>, an insurance agent in San Diego, California, with both national and local policy experience, recommends finding an insurance agent who is local to your area. He points out that national insurance brokers are often too far away to give clients the attention they need.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes you just call an 800-number, and you\u2019re not ever talking to the same person. It\u2019s always a different conversation and a different story,\u201d he says, \u201cLocal agents are better able to assist clients. They know the local market where the home is located, so they know the risk better than someone on the other end of the phone who\u2019s potentially not in the area . . .\u00a0 There\u2019s more accountability on the agent.\u201d<\/p>\n

When vetting potential agents, Quintero recommends:<\/p>\n