Washington Tornado Insurance
While Washington may not lie in Tornado Alley, twisters do occur in the state.
Written by
Jessica Huneck is an insurance writer from TrustedChoice.com. She began her writing career in 2011 and has since earned herself a bachelor's degree in English writing.
Tornadoes are terrifying. Violent winds to flying debris can cause widespread damage. While Washington may not lie in Tornado Alley, twisters do occur in the state. In fact, they occur in every state.
Many home owners aren't sure whether their belongings and assets are covered in case of a tornado. While many homeowners policies do cover wind-related damages, it's important to get a clear answer to what your policies cover -- and what they don't.
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Tornado Statistics in WA
- In September of 2009, there was an F1 tornado in Pierce County.
- In May 2009, there was an F1 in Lincoln County.
- In 1972, there was an F1 in Clark County that injured 300 people and killed 6.
Tornadoes are serious, no matter how they rate on the F-scale .Extreme tornadoes can reach wind speeds of over 300 mph, although the majority clock in at under 100 mph. But even small tornadoes can cause incredible damage, which is why having tornado insurance is so important. Tornadoes can happen any time, anywhere, so coverage for these events is crucial.
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What is Tornado Insurance in Washington?
When it comes to tornadoes, your home is one of your biggest concerns. It's your largest asset, so it's important to protect your home from the damages of a tornado. Typically, most homeowners insurance policies cover tornado damage under weather-related events. However, it's crucial to make sure that tornado damages are included, as some insurance companies require separate coverage for tornadoes. Double check your policy to make sure that tornadoes are included in your coverage. If they are, make sure you have sufficient coverage. Most homeowners insurance policies have two types of coverage:
- Structural: This coverage insures the structure of the home, including the walls, foundation, plumbing and electrical.
- Contents: This coverage protects your personal belongings within the home.
It's esssential that the coverage limits on these policies are high enough for you to replace the entire home, including posessions. If you have recently completed upgrades on your home, bought new furniture/appliances, or your home's value has increased, it may be time to raise your policy limits.
What About My Car/Boat/RV in WA?
Many car owners only carry liability insurance on their vehicles, per the state requirements in Washington. Unfortunately, liability insurance does not cover weather-related events such as tornados. For example, if a tornado sends a tree limb flying through your windshield, you are responsible for the costs to repair the damage. Comprehensive insurance, also known as "everything other than collision," is designed to help cover damages from a tornado.
For your boat, RV, or other toys, your homeowners insurance may cover them if they are stored within the home or garage. You should review your insurance policy for clarification. If they are stored outside the home, or at another facility, you must have comprehensive insurance covering these items in order to get repairs and damages covered.
What Will My Tornado Insurance Quote Look Like in WA?
When it comes to covering your assets with tornado insurance, getting sufficient coverage is important. There's no general average on tornado insurance, as the price depends on what type of assets you're looking to insure. Make it a point to be familiar with the following before getting a quote for tornado insurance:
- Type of asset
- Age of asset
- Location of asset
- Size of asset
- Value of asset
- Desired coverage limits
- Desired deductibles
- Claim history
These factors, plus many more asset-specific questions, will need to be considered before giving you a quote for tornado insurance.
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Are Discounts Available on Tornado Insurance in Washington?
Just like many other insurance policies, discounts are available on tornado insurance in Washington. The discounts may include:
- Multi-policy discount
- Loyal customer discount
- New customer discount
- Claims free discount
- Good driver discount
- Professional/industrial affiliation discount
- Lay-up policy discount
Each insurance company offers different discounts, so be sure to ask about any discounts you can qualify for.
How to Protect Yourself With Tornado Insurance in Washington
When searching for tornado insurance policies, it's crucial to have a local professional by your side to help you get the right coverage at the right price for your individual situation. A Trusted Choice® agent is always available to help you discuss coverage options, suggest discounts and policy modifications, or even file a claim.