Do I need Wind & Hail Insurance in South Carolina and Myrtle Beach?
If you own a home in South Carolina, or especially along the coast in an area like Myrtle Beach, you may want to know if you need Wind & Hail insurance. Or, you may be buying your first home and not sure if you need coverage for Wind & Hail damage.
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Who needs Wind and Hail Insurance in Myrtle Beach, Horry County?
In my opinion, every property in South Carolina (and the country for that matter) should have insurance coverage for damage caused by the peril of Wind & Hail.
If you have a mortgage on your property, you can bet that the mortgage company will require that you carry a Home Insurance Policy. They often refer to this coverage as Hazard Insurance; and yes, they will require that it includes coverage for Wind & Hail damage.
If you do not have a mortgage or lien on your property, then (at least in Myrtle Beach) there is no one forcing you to get any particular type of coverage. If you can find an insurance carrier or agency to insure you inadequately, then that is up to you.
Is Wind and Hail Insurance the same as Hurricane Insurance?
Wind & Hail Insurance is pretty much what it says. Without that coverage, you would not be covered for damage caused by things like hurricanes, tropical storms, tornados, or hail.
Wind & Hail Insurance and Hurricane Insurance can sometimes be confused with each other. With so many carriers offering different policies or deductibles, it can be confusing. For most carriers they are covered the same way, but the deductibles may be different depending on what damage triggers it. The details are in the policy and endorsement wording. This is one reason you should work with a knowledgeable, local, and trusted insurance agent.
What does Wind Insurance cover in South Carolina?
Wind damage is one of the most common types of damage you will see and it consistently produces large and small claims in South Carolina and Myrtle Beach. Why would someone even consider getting home insurance without wind & hail coverage in SC? Of course you want to be insured for damage caused by hurricanes or tropical storms along the coast, right? The direct damage caused by a hurricane can easily penetrate deep into the state past the immediate coastline. The upstate of South Carolina may not have the same level of hurricane danger, but the insurance industry sees quite a bit of hail claims in that area.
Wind & Hail coverage is much more than just protecting your home against hurricanes. Hail damage can happen anywhere and storms can pop up and cause damage in hours. What about that tree limb hanging over your house that you or your neighbor have not yet trimmed? Imagine how much damage can come from a hole in your roof with several hours of rain.
A little side note about wind driven rain. Home insurance typically requires that there be damage to the exterior of the home to cover damage caused by water getting in the house. Wind driven rain is basically where rain is driven in with relentless wind and without evidence of external damage. Some home insurance policies do not cover wind driven rain.
How do I get Wind and Hail Insurance?
Here is the good news. Davis Insurance Associates offers Home Insurance that includes coverage for Wind & Hail to our insureds and potential clients. The vast majority of the time we are able to provide quotes and coverage with Wind & Hail coverage in one single policy. In some rare cases, we may offer quotes by two companies, one for Wind & Hail coverage and another for other covered perils (such as fire, smoke, theft, vandalism, etc.).
Just give us a call at (843) 213-0000 and we can explain your options.
Why are people telling me to get Wind and Hail Insurance if it is usually included in a Home Insurance Policy?
We frequently hear customers specially ask for Wind & Hail coverage. They were told by a neighbor, friend, or sometimes even their real estate agent that they need to make sure they get Wind & Hail coverage. While that is true, it is almost automatic that any quote you get should have this included. Again, you should work with a local and trusted insurance agent that really knows the market in coastal areas.
Years ago, around the middle of the 2000’s it was more common to get an insurance quote that excluded Wind & Hail damage. It was a nervous time for some carriers after Hurricane Katrina. Many agents had to offer a Home Insurance Policy with a separate Wind & Hail policy (often through SCWHUA). Instead of completely pulling home insurance products from South Carolina, several carriers stopped including coverage for Wind & Hail damage. This, in effect, caused the South Carolina Wind & Hail Underwriting Association (SCWHUA) to up its game by filling in the void and they expanded their geographic area. The coverage was still needed and required by mortgage companies, so it had to be available.
Many people, including insurance agents, refer to this area along the coast and set by SCWHUA as "The Wind Pool". If you bought a home or property in the wind pool several years ago, it was pretty common to have the separate Wind & Hail policy.
This really is not the case anymore since several insurance carriers have come back into the market of coastal insurance and provide a policy that includes the peril of Wind & Hail damage. There are some people that still cling to the way it was being done back in the mid 2000’s.
Is damage caused by flooding coverage by Wind and Hail Insurance?
No. Flooding is generally defined as rising water. Wind & Hail Insurance and Flood Insurance typically have nothing to do with each other.
Flood Insurance should always be considered. It is a separate peril from Wind & Hail and should be covered by another insurance policy, or it can sometimes be added to a Home Insurance Policy.
For more information about flooding and Flood Insurance visit floodsmart.gov or other FEMA resources.
Davis Insurance Associates can provide Flood Insurance quotes as well as help you navigate through NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private Flood Insurance options.
You can also visit our Flood Insurance page for more information, or to request a quote.
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Keep in mind that this a blog that is not intended to explain every detail of wind & hail coverage and what is or is not covered. Wind & Hail coverage can vary by carrier, state, policy form, and more. You must read your entire policy to understand your coverage!
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Brad Davis, CIC - Owner