Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a tornado or other windstorm?
Tornadoes and similar disasters are becoming increasingly common in some parts of the U.S., so it's important to determine if your car insurance covers damage caused by a tornado or other windstorm. To ensure you're covered against tornado damage to your vehicle, you'll need comprehensive car insurance.
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Tim Bain
Licensed Insurance Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed life insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with term life insurance. His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.
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UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events, including tornadoes and other natural disasters
- If you have comprehensive coverage, you’ll only need to pay your deductible if your car is damaged in a windstorm
- On average comprehensive insurance only costs $89–$230 per year
Tornadoes and windstorms can do significant damage to your vehicle. Whether your car is lifted off the ground by a tornado or hit by flying debris, the repair or replacement costs can be overwhelming.
If you live in an area prone to these kinds of storms, it’s a good idea to check to ensure your car insurance covers damage caused by a tornado or other windstorm. In most cases, comprehensive car insurance would cover most of your expenses. Here’s what you need to know.
Comprehensive Car Insurance Covers Tornado and Windstorm Damage
Comprehensive insurance is a type of car insurance coverage that covers non-collision events such as fire, hail, theft, vandalism, and more. Most comprehensive insurance policies also cover a wide variety of damage your car might incur in a tornado or windstorm.
This includes damage caused by branches, debris, and other items that are caught in the wind or situations where the wind picks up your car and becomes the debris.
If a windstorm damages your car and you have comprehensive coverage, you’ll generally only be responsible for your deductible. That’s the amount you agree to pay out of pocket for claims, and it can range anywhere from $100 to $2,000 on average.
Due to the destructive nature of tornadoes, hurricanes, and other windstorms, your vehicle may be damaged beyond repair in one of these storms.
In that case, your car would be considered totaled, and your comprehensive coverage would reimburse you for the actual cash value of the car (as determined by your insurance company. However, due to depreciation, this may not be enough to get you a suitable replacement vehicle.
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Tornadoes and Windstorms Are More Common Than You Think
If you don’t live in a state that usually experiences tornadoes, that does not mean you or your car are safe from wind-related damage. Many other kinds of windstorms can cause significant damage, including hurricanes, cyclones, and tropical storms.
That means that, no matter where you happen to live, there’s always a chance that you might experience a strong, destructive windstorm at some point, so it’s important to understand your insurance coverage.
Compared to vehicle repairs or replacement costs, comprehensive insurance is relatively inexpensive, ranging from $89–$230 per year, depending on your state, type of vehicle, deductible, and other factors.
If you can’t afford repair costs, comprehensive coverage is generally a good idea. The best comprehensive coverage car insurance companies offer affordable options for protecting your vehicle.
What to Do If Your Vehicle Suffers Damage In a Storm or Tornado
If your car is damaged in a tornado and you have the proper coverage, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claim process and document as much as possible.
Sometimes, emergency services or cleanup crews will want to clear damaged vehicles and other debris from the area, so ask your insurance company what you need to do to ensure your claim can be processed.
For example, they may require some kind of report or photographs of your vehicle to complete your claim, and it’s usually easier to get those before cleanup operations get underway.
Case Studies: Car Insurance Coverage for Tornado and Windstorm Damage
Case Study 1: Maria’s Comprehensive Coverage
Maria lived in an area prone to tornadoes. When a powerful tornado struck her town, her car was severely damaged by flying debris. Fortunately, Maria had comprehensive car insurance that covered tornado damage. She promptly filed a claim with her insurance company, providing photographs of the damage and any other necessary documentation.
The insurance company assessed the claim and approved it, allowing Maria to get her car repaired without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Case Study 2: James’ Total Loss
James parked his car outside during a windstorm and woke up to find it completely totaled due to a fallen tree. He had comprehensive car insurance, which covered the damage caused by windstorms. James contacted his insurance company and started the claims process.
The insurance adjuster assessed the damage and determined that the repair costs exceeded the car’s actual cash value. As a result, the insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss and provided James with a settlement based on the car’s value. With the insurance payout, James was able to purchase a new vehicle.
Case Study 3: Sarah’s Policy Exclusion
Sarah’s car sustained damage during a windstorm, but her car insurance claim was denied. She discovered that her policy explicitly excluded coverage for windstorm damage. Disappointed but determined, Sarah decided to review her insurance options. She found a new car insurance policy that included comprehensive coverage for windstorm damage.
Later, when another windstorm caused damage to her car, Sarah filed a claim under her new policy, and it was approved. She learned the importance of carefully reviewing policy exclusions and ensuring comprehensive coverage for wind-related incidents.
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The Bottom Line on Car Insurance for Wind Damage
Regardless of how badly your car is damaged, as long as your policy includes coverage for weather and natural disasters, you should be able to get your claim paid out so you can get your vehicle repaired. Of course, you’ll need to pay your deductible, but your insurance company should take care of the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does car insurance protect against natural disasters?
Basic, state-required liability insurance will not cover you for vehicle damages caused by natural disasters such as tornadoes, wildfires, or hailstorms. To ensure you’re not on the hook for these damages, you’ll need comprehensive insurance, which is car insurance that covers non-accident repairs.
How can I protect my car from a tornado?
It may not be possible to prevent vehicle damage during a tornado. However, it’s best to park your car inside a garage and cover it with a heavy blanket or similar covering.
If you don’t have a garage, avoid parking under trees or power lines, and try to park against your house or another building to limit the effects of the wind.
Is a tornado strong enough to pick up a car?
According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes and other windstorms generate winds strong enough to lift heavy objects, including cars, hundreds of feet off the ground.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Tim Bain
Licensed Insurance Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed life insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with term life insurance. His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.