Does renters insurance cover hurricanes? Wind, usually. Flood, no.
A standard renters policy covers wind damage to your belongings. It does not cover flood or storm surge. Those are most of a hurricane’s losses. Separate flood insurance is the other half.
What hurricane damage renters insurance covers
Wind is in. Storm surge is not. Do not treat a renters policy as hurricane insurance.
Wind, usually
Wind, wind-driven rain through a broken window or damaged roof, and belongings hit by debris are standard covered perils.
Flood, no
Flood water coming in from outside, including storm surge, is excluded. You need a separate flood policy for that.
The deductible
In many coastal states the hurricane or named-storm deductible is a percentage of coverage, not a flat $500. Read that line before storm season.
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Hurricane coverage is two policies, not one
A renters policy pays wind damage to your stuff. It will not pay storm surge. If you are in a coastal or flood-prone building, get a flood quote too. Do not pretend the renters policy is “hurricane insurance.”
Wind-driven rainStorm surge excludedNamed-storm deductible
Hurricane and wind deductibles
The hurricane or named-storm deductible is usually higher than your normal deductible. It is often a percentage of your personal-property limit. That number is what you pay before the renters policy pays wind losses. It does not make flood covered.
What to do before the storm
Photo your stuff. Know the deductible. Ask the landlord what they cover (the building, not your sofa). If you need a policy for the lease, get apartment quotes now. A claim after landfall is the wrong time to shop.
Florida has its own page
This page is the national wind vs flood split. Florida’s hurricane deductible and NFIP flood sit on renters insurance hurricane coverage in Florida.
Hurricane coverage FAQ
Wind vs flood first. No fake provider grid.
Does renters insurance cover hurricanes?
Partly. Wind to your belongings: usually yes. Flood and storm surge: no.
Does it cover wind-driven rain?
Often, if the rain entered through storm damage to the building. Standing flood water: no.
Is flood insurance required?
Not by a standard lease in every city. If surge can reach the building, you want it anyway.
Get apartment quotes before landfall, not after
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