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Hurricane Season begins the middle of August and runs until November. Each year the National Weather Service advises us that the statistical clock is coming closer to striking midnight and bringing us the storm that has eluded us for so long.
Don't get me wrong, I am not anxious to have a hurricane, but I agree with the assumption that we are well overdue for a hurricane. In fact, we might receive more than just one storm on the Texas coast this season, we just don't know.
Whenever a tropical storm approaches the Texas coastline, I can count on receiving phone calls asking if a policy covers hurricanes. The second oldest peril, after fire, for which property policies extend coverage is wind. Sudden, severe damage caused by hurricane force winds and rains will be covered.
Homeowners along the coast, however, should be aware that there is a possibility of that peril being excluded. In first tier counties along the coast, those touching coastal water, the coverage for Wind and Hail is sometimes excluded. It is available through a separately written policy through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Check your policy or call your agent if you are unsure. When coverage is separated like this, care should be taken not to allow one of the policies to cancel - leaving a gap in coverage.
There are those who will hope to obtain insurance at the last minute. These 'free loaders' will be disappointed to learn that once a hurricane approaches the Gulf Coastal waters, it is too late for any insurance company to accept them as a new risk. Most all insurance writing will come to a halt until after the storm has made land fall. That would be like saying, "My house is on fire, so I would like to buy an insurance policy."
If high winds strike your house bringing huge amounts of rain, you will more than likely experience a leak at the very least. Wind driven rain can find a way to enter any homes that aren't built truly water tight. Dwelling policies, such as a Homeowners B Form, include coverage for interior damage caused by such a leak - even if a hole was not made by a covered peril. When such a leak occurs in the absence of exterior damage, there is no claim allowed for the exterior maintenance work necessary to prevent another leak.
Damage is payable to the exterior when damage occurs such as shingles being bent back, torn off or even having the roof partially removed as well as a window broken, allowing moisture to enter the home. Whenever a hole or opening is made in this manner, both the exterior and interior damage is payable; even under standard, or named peril type policies. What does not get coverage under dwelling or commercial policies is damage caused by flood or rising water, even if caused by a hurricane. That coverage is only available through a separately written flood policy.
Victoria is about 30 miles inland from the coast. One may wonder if we will suffer any real hurricane force winds. Without question, we are subject to just as severe damage as if we lived a couple miles from the coast. The winds won't reduce but just a few miles per hour at this distance. And tornadoes can be spawned anywhere. When Hugo hit near Brownsville, San Antonio and Austin received devastating damage by tornadoes.
Using the Saffir/Simpson Scale, that classifies storms from a 1 to 5, a Category 3 storm will likely damage hundreds of homes to the extent that they may not be livable for a several weeks. Add to the isolated incidents of damage, the fact that power and phone will probably be down for days, and you've got a pretty mess for some time.
Insurance companies will set up Catastrophe Claim Centers in the area to answer claims situations and assess damage as fast as possible. Many Victorians have never been through a hurricane. They may not appreciate the turmoil and wide spread damages that will take place. We'll get ours, it isn't a question of if, it's a question of when. If you have concerns about your coverage levels and conditions, call your agent before the wind picks up.
Russell Janecka is a Certified Insurance Counselor. He is the owner of Janecka Insurance Agency in Victoria, and serves on the board of directors with Germania Insurance Companies. (361) 573-4475 e-mail: info@jiavic.com |