If you have questions about what type of damage your policy includes or excludes, it’s best to reach out to an insurance agent to go over your policy details.
You can’t purchase car insurance right before a natural disaster
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes or hail storms, are typically forecast in advance—but you can’t purchase coverage once that happens. This is known as a “binding restriction” and prevents insurers from having to pay out more for vehicle losses than they would make in premiums.
Insurers require your flood insurance and comprehensive coverage to be active for a specific period before they cover any losses. To ensure you’re covered for storms and other natural disasters, you should add comprehensive insurance to your policy well in advance.
How to file a comprehensive claim after a natural disaster
According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, there were 18 climate-related disasters in the US in 2022, costing at least $1 billion in damages each1. This list included wildfires, flood damage, tornadoes, tropical cyclones, and severe weather. If you experience damage from a natural disaster and need to file a claim, this is what you should do.
1. Document the damage and estimate cost of repairs
Once you notice damage to your vehicle after a natural disaster, it’s best to document the scene by taking photos and/or videos of the area and your car. You should also make a complete list of any items that were damaged or destroyed.
After you have proof of damage, you can get ahead of the curve—and your budget—by estimating repair costs. While your comprehensive coverage will pay up to your policy limits, you will still have to pay your deductible. If the total damage is less than (or only slightly more than) your deductible, it isn’t worth filing a claim.