Tornado Insurance- What Policies Will Protect You?

Photo by Anne Hornyak

The rise of tornado activity across the United States has given everyone food for thought when it comes to tornado safety, recovery and preparedness. But what insurance policies would protect you or help you recover from tornado damage? There are several factors to consider when it comes to tornado damage and insurance. The following policies and coverage levels will vary with your insurance company especially if you live in tornado-prone states, so check with them after reading this article.

Tornado Recovery Funds

If you don’t have any policies that cover tornado damage, it is still possible to get money that can help you recover from a tornado disaster. If your area is classified as an emergency area by the Federal Government, FEMA can give you up to $30,000 to cover losses and home repairs. It does not have to be repaid.

If you qualify, you can also take out a small business loan from the Small Business Administration. You’ll have to repay it back but it’s a low-interest loan. If the loan is a large one they may take out a lien against your home until the loan is repaid.

Tornadoes and Homeowner’s Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance should cover most natural disaster events like tornadoes. But if you live in a high wind-prone or tornado-prone state, it may require a separate insurance policy. Don’t assume that everything’s covered! Another item to consider is liability coverage. Let’s say your home is acting as a shelter for neighbors and someone gets hurt. If you don’t have liability coverage, it could cause complications.  This article from CBS News shows that some states are at serious risk for losses. Arkansas is a top 5 state for people with no coverage, yet it’s also a top 10 state for being prone to tornadoes!

Wind Events and Tornadoes

Tornado damage can be considered a “wind event”, as described with some insurance companies. Remember, you have to prove that any damage you had was directly caused by tornado winds, such as having vinyl siding ripped off or doors/windows damaged by wind.  Look for the fine print. For example, wind can be blamed for broken windows, but if the rain poured in from the broken window and destroyed your TV, it may not be covered. If your homeowner’s insurance has a broad definition of wind damage, you may not need additional wind event coverage. But if it’s specific- and sometimes they can be- look into it.

Renter’s Insurance for Tornado Damage

Be advised that your landlord’s coverage does not automatically cover any losses you incur from tornado damage. You should get renters insurance if you haven’t already done so. Ensure you have proof of any valuable items, records of purchase for high-value items (like HDTVs and jewelry), and pictures.  Other factors to consider for renter’s insurance are “additional living expenses”.

Tornadoes and Flood Damage

Generally speaking, any flood damage not caused by man made events can be covered through flood insurance. So if a tornado came along with lots of rain, broke your windows and your house got flooded, you could be covered. But flood damage may not cover the costs of window repair.

Remember to keep checking our website for more up-to-date tornado and tornado safety information.

Tornado Safety Tips: Are You Prepared?

Tornado Safety Tips:Statistics

Tornadoes aren't just for the rural South anymore.

As of June 2011, 37 of the 50 states have experienced tornadoes. In April 2011, more than 875 tornadoes were reported by eyewitness accounts.  In that same month,75 percent of Joplin, Missouri was destroyed by tornadoes. 139 people were dead; several dozen are still missing. You can still help the survivors by donating through the Salvation Army. At the beginning of June 2011, four tornadoes landed in Springfield, Massachusetts, a city of 150,000 people.


Are you prepared for a tornado?


For those who live in tornado alley or in the rural south, many may answer "yes". Yet this year we've seen where most people are not prepared: urban or populated areas.

Tornado Safety Tips: The Rules

If you live in the city and haven't seen much about tornadoes until recently, there are a few tornado safety tip rules you can follow immediately.


1. You cannot predict exactly where a tornado will land or where it will go. When a Tornado Watch is issued, that means the conditions are ripe for a tornado in your general area. The Tornado Warning, however, means that a tornado or "funnel" was spotted somewhere, and they can land pretty quickly. It may not have touched the ground. Therefore, you may be able to see where tornadoes are forming or will likely form, but you can't predict where they will land.


2. Take immediate shelter. This isn't the Wizard of Oz where the dangers are getting swept up by a tornado. The real danger is flying debris. It's so unpredictable. Powerful tornado winds can pick up almost anything and turn it into a weapon. If you can, get underground first. If not, get into low ground. At best, put yourself between as many walls as possible.  Your car is not always the safest place because it can get picked up in the wind easier than YOU can. Fortunately tornadoes don't last more than a couple of hours, so you don't have to worry about long-term immediate shelter.


3. Prepare to recover from a tornado. If you are fortunate enough to take shelter in a solid low-ground (or underground) location, you have a great chance of survival. But getting immediate help or navigating the dangers after a tornado is what you should prepare for. Having the right equipment, clothing and immediate resources will help save you from other dangers like fires and debris.

Tornado Safety Tips: Emergency Items

If you want to be prepared to recover from a tornado, here are the items you should consider:


Emergency kits. They should have the basic First Aid kit to help cover scrapes and cuts. Reflective gear is also good. Most tornadoes happen in the afternoon, but it may be nightfall before you get permanent shelter. Your kit has to fit in your shelter, so don't go too big or too small.
Protective clothing. Strong gloves and boots are best. That helps you walk through the rubble and debris. They don't take up a lot of space, either.
Good flashlights. Not the puny keychain types but large, very luminous lights. No doubt you will be searching for something or someone in the aftermath.
GPS. Some people navigate via landmarks. Tornadoes can destroy those landmarks. They can also destroy electricity and cell phone service. Having a GPS lets you find permanent shelter faster.
Landline phone. If your city has underground phone lines, they may still be in service after a tornado.
Gas can. Not all cars get damaged in a tornado. With lucky placement, your vehicle or someone else's may survive. A full gas can gets you and others to better emergency shelters. The can doesn't have to be with you in shelter, but it should be protected and reachable.
Shovels. For clearing the rubble.
Pipe wrench. To turn off the gas line.
Meal replacement bars. If you can't afford emergency food that requires preparation, meal replacement bars or energy bars can help everyone get through the day until better options are available.
Water.
Cash. No electricity, no ATMS.
These are just the starters. You can pick up a lot of these items around your neighborhood, or find them cheap in places like Amazon.com.  Make sure you follow the blog to get more tornado safety tips and updates in the near future.