North Carolina Hurricane Insurance
Find the right hurricane insurance policy for you.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
North Carolina is one of the most scenic states in the country. From the coastal shores of the Outer Banks to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, geographical diversity is a given. With over 300 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, this state also has a propensity for extreme weather events. Changing global atmospheric conditions are giving rise to an increase in this activity. Many residents are wondering about whether or not they have sufficient North Carolina hurricane insurance.
One of the best ways to evaluate the hurricane components of your current NC homeowners and automobile coverage is to locate an independent insurance agent within our network. These knowledgeable professionals can access numerous insurance companies to provide competitive North Carolina hurricane insurance quotes for you to compare. They represent you, rather than a specific insurance company. Contact your local member agent today to confirm you have the right coverage at a fair price.
Save on Hurricane Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Economic Impact of Hurricanes in North Carolina
The number and intensity of storms in North Carolina have been steadily increasing over the past century. There were only 12 major storms during the 1920s, yet there were 39 during previous years.
- Hurricane Floyd was responsible for one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history, with 52 deaths and over $1 billion in farm losses in North Carolina alone.
- Hurricane Emily damaged 553 NC homes beyond repair, leaving 25% of the population of Cape Hatteras homeless from flooding.
- The most likely months for a hurricane in North Carolina are September, August, and October, in that order.
- The Virginia Beach/Norfolk region is the fourth most likely U.S. metropolitan region to sustain a major hit from a hurricane.
Keep in mind that standard homeowners and automobile insurance policies do not cover damage from flooding, a common effect of hurricanes.
Which Insurance Provides Hurricane Protection?
There are a few important considerations when reviewing your need for North Carolina hurricane insurance:
- Damage from hurricanes to your home or automobile may be covered within your homeowners policy and automobile comprehensive coverage. However, there is a significant possibility that the damage would exceed the coverage.
- If you have a mortgage on your home, the lender most likely will require you to carry full coverage on your house. Homeowners insurance is such a wise choice that most people who have paid off their homes also carry this protection.
- A shortfall can occur when your home is insured at less than replacement value. In North Carolina, hurricane insurance should be adequate to cover the replacement value, not just the purchase price of your home.
- For an automobile, this is less of an issue as the coverage will usually be for replacement value.
An agent is nearby to help you determine what coverage you need to protect your home and auto in the event of a hurricane.
Save on Hurricane Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
What North Carolina Hurricane Insurance Covers
Most homeowners insurance policies include the following protection from hurricane damage:
- Dwelling: This is the home itself including heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and other systems typically common to American residences. It includes attached structures.
- Contents: Includes furniture, window treatments, and most other items you have brought into the home or garage. If you have a large collection of valuables, such as coins or stamps, they may require a separate "rider." Considerable jewelry and electronics may also fall into this category.
- Detached structures: This pertains to a detached garage or storage shed, for instance, and includes named contents.
- Off-premises property: Any of your property that may not currently be in the home is also protected.
- Temporary living expenses: Includes the reasonable cost to house you and any family members during the rebuilding phase, if the damage is so significant you cannot stay in the home.
It is important to maintain an inventory of your belongings and to keep good records of any remodeling or other significant updates in the event you need to file a claim. You should periodically update and maintain photographs off-premises or with your member agent.
Where to Find North Carolina Hurricane Insurance Quotes
Unlike damage from floods, hurricane coverage is part of your homeowners policy, assuming you maintain one. It is also part of your comprehensive auto insurance protection, regardless of the location of the vehicle. Still, it is important to routinely make adjustments to your North Carolina hurricane insurance to confirm that everything is up to date and new purchases are protected. This may be the right time to also find out if you may have access to better coverage, possibly at a lower price. When you work with a local agent, you are actually working with multiple insurance companies, all competing for your business.
Find your member agent today to learn about your options.