It's common for people to have misconceptions about what's covered through their insurance during a natural disaster. This is partially because insurance contracts are complex documents and not every company interprets events the same way. This leads to uneven stories about how claims are processed and how much is paid out. We'll look at how your car is protected during a hurricane and what you can do to help recoup your losses.

Are Hurricanes Covered Under My Insurance Policy?

Hurricanes may or may not be covered under your insurance policy. Generally, if you want to protect your car from hurricanes, you'll need comprehensive car insurance or a hurricane protection rider attached to your core policy.

It's worth noting that hurricanes can also cause residual destruction, such as water damage. In this case, a hurricane rider may not cover damage to your car because it's categorized as flooding instead of hurricane damage. (Flooding can occur anywhere near a hurricane, even in places where a storm blew over.)

Every policy and insurance company has its own exclusions, so knowing how your policy works is vital before the winds pick up. You'll also need to understand how your insurance company will likely respond to claims when dealing with increased claims. It’s not unusual for policyholders to experience some claim delays after a major natural disaster, simply due to the sheer volume. However, if you believe your carrier is acting unreasonably, you can reach out to your local Department of Insurance for assistance.

How to Recover Losses on Your Car

Whether your car is in a parking facility, on the street, or in a garage, few vehicles are entirely immune from storm damage. If you're not going to move your car during a storm, we recommend verifying both your policy and the carrier. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Expertise: Well before the storm comes, consider choosing a carrier that has experience adjusting hurricane damage in your area.
• Reputation: Reviews from other customers immediately following intense storms can provide insight into how your claim will be processed.
• Terms: If the clauses in your policy seem vague, it can help to call your carrier to discuss how the policies play out in real life.

Once you have all the facts at your fingertips, it can be easier to decide whether you want to change your policy with your existing company, add coverage to your existing policies, or change both your coverage and carrier.

Car coverage during a hurricane may vary from policy to policy, but some companies will be more transparent with you than others. If you have questions about protecting yourself during a storm, consider a customizable flood quote from NatGenAgency.com.