Windstorm inspections, also referred to as Windstorm insurance inspections, are a kind of home inspection common in coastal areas. The purpose of a windstorm inspection is to determine the aptness of a given structure’s construction in the event of strong winds, like the kind present during a hurricane. They look for construction features that have been shown to reduce losses in natural disasters like hurricanes, such as a hip roof (a roof where all the sides slope), concrete block construction, certain types of shutters, and roof-to-wall attachments. Many homeowner insurance policies do not cover property damage caused by high winds, so this type of coverage is essential to residents in areas that frequently experience hurricanes.
A homeowner with windstorm insurance can often submit the results of a windstorm inspection to their insurer to obtain discounts on their windstorm insurance. In the coastal parts of Texas, the State mandates windstorm inspections prior to certifying a new building. Texas also passed a windstorm insurance bill on June 1, 2009, that will allow for $2.5 billion in funds to be set aside for claims submitted to insurance carriers for windstorm damage. Although windstorm insurance coverage is mandated by state government, it is still operated in the same manner as traditional insurance plans.
Consumers must pay premiums to obtain the insurance and there are restrictions on the claims the companies will pay. Many of the state-mandated companies are referred to as providers of last resort and will offer coverage to even the highest-risk areas. We might think that the damage came from the rain, or the flood, or the fire, but do we ever think of wind damaging our homes? Windstorm insurance is something to consider in the coastal regions. Educate yourself now, before hurricane season starts and see if this is something you might use against damage.