Does Auto Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

Last Updated on December 18, 2025

Hurricanes can do more than damage homes—they can destroy vehicles through flooding, flying debris, falling trees, and storm surge. If you live in hurricane-prone states like South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, or Alabama, it’s worth knowing exactly what your auto policy will (and won’t) pay for.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the U.S. regularly sees multiple named storms and hurricanes each season. The key question for drivers is simple: do you have the right coverage before a storm shows up on the forecast?

Key Takeaways

• Auto insurance typically covers hurricane damage only if you have comprehensive coverage (wind, flooding, falling objects, theft/vandalism, and more).
• Collision coverage matters if you crash while evacuating or driving in storm conditions—comprehensive doesn’t cover every driving-related loss.
• Hurricane claims are usually settled based on your car’s actual cash value, and your comprehensive/collision deductible is normally subtracted from the payout.
• Don’t wait until a storm is close—insurers may restrict new policies or coverage changes in threatened areas, making last-minute upgrades impossible.

Quick Answer: Does Auto Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

Yes—if you carry comprehensive coverage. Hurricane-related damage is usually considered an “other-than-collision” loss (wind, flood, falling objects, vandalism during evacuations, etc.), which is what comprehensive is designed for.

If you only have liability (or basic state-minimum insurance), your policy generally won’t pay to repair or replace your own vehicle after a hurricane.

Comprehensive Coverage Is What Pays for Most Hurricane Damage

Comprehensive coverage typically covers damage to your car from things that aren’t a crash—exactly the type of damage hurricanes create.

During and after a hurricane, comprehensive coverage may pay for:

• Falling trees and branches (including damage from a fallen tree)
• Wind damage and debris (signs, roofing, fencing, projectiles)
• Flooding and storm surge-related damage (see car insurance water damage)
• Vehicle theft or attempted theft during evacuations (see theft coverage)
• Intentional damage (see vandalism coverage)
• Hail or wind-driven hail (see hail damage coverage)
• Damage from saltwater exposure that leads to corrosion and rusting (this is commonly tied to flooding/storm surge claims and depends on the loss details)

What you’ll pay: comprehensive claims usually come with a deductible. If your car is repairable, you’ll typically pay the deductible and the insurer covers the rest (up to the car’s value). If it’s a total loss, your deductible is generally subtracted from the settlement amount.

Collision Coverage Matters If You Crash While Evacuating

Comprehensive covers storm damage—but if you’re driving in bad conditions and you hit something (or something hits you in a way that’s treated as a collision), that’s where collision coverage comes in.

Example: you hydroplane on a slick road, slide into a guardrail, and damage your car. That’s generally a collision claim, not a comprehensive claim.

Liability-Only and State-Minimum Policies Usually Won’t Help

If you opted for state minimum coverage, it’s important to understand what it’s for: liability mainly pays for injuries or property damage you cause to others—not hurricane damage to your own vehicle.

That’s why hurricane losses can be financially brutal for drivers who dropped comprehensive and collision to save money.

How Hurricane Claims Are Paid (Repair vs. Total Loss)

Hurricane claims are usually settled based on your vehicle’s actual cash value (market value right before the loss), not what you originally paid for it. Cars that are submerged, filled with contaminated water, or exposed to heavy storm surge are often deemed total losses for safety and reliability reasons.

If you recently bought a brand-new vehicle, pay close attention to the “gap” between what you owe and what the car is worth—especially if you’re early in the loan and your balance is higher than the car’s value.

And don’t forget: your deductible still applies. If you’re unsure how yours works, here’s a breakdown of car insurance deductibles.

Will Your Premium Go Up After a Hurricane Claim?

It depends on your insurer, your state, and your claims history. Some insurers treat hurricane losses as “catastrophe” claims and may not surcharge the same way they would for an at-fault accident—but you should still be prepared for the possibility of higher rates at renewal, especially if you’ve filed multiple claims or if overall storm losses in your area are high.

In general, comprehensive claims tend to have a smaller impact than at-fault accidents, but they can still affect pricing. And if you file a collision claim, it’s usually more likely to impact your premium (see how much rates can rise after a collision claim).

Also note that claims don’t disappear instantly—your insurer may keep that history on file for a period of time (more here: how long an auto insurance claim can stay open).

How to File an Auto Claim for Hurricane Damage

Once it’s safe and you’re able to access the vehicle, take these steps:

• Document everything: photos and video of the vehicle, the surrounding damage, water lines, debris, and the location where it was parked.
• Prevent additional damage (if possible): move the car to a safe spot if it’s drivable and doing so won’t put you at risk.
• Start the claim with your insurer: hurricane claim volumes can be high, so report as soon as you can.
• Work with the adjuster: the claims adjuster will inspect the vehicle and determine repairability vs. total loss.

If your car was flooded, don’t start it unless a mechanic tells you it’s safe—starting a water-damaged engine can cause additional damage and complications.

When to Buy Coverage for Hurricanes

If you’re in a hurricane-prone area, the best time to review coverage is well before hurricane season—and definitely before a specific storm is approaching. Start by reviewing whether it makes sense to carry (or remove) collision and comprehensive coverage based on your vehicle’s value and your ability to pay out of pocket.

Here’s the important catch: when a storm is approaching, insurers may impose temporary “binding restrictions” or moratoriums in the impacted area—meaning you might not be able to add comprehensive coverage, raise limits, or make certain changes until the threat passes. If you want to update coverage, do it early (guide: how to change car insurance coverage or limits).

And if you do suffer damage, be mindful of deadlines for reporting and documentation (see how long you have to file an insurance claim—time limits vary by policy and state).

FAQs on Auto Insurance and Hurricane Damage

Final Word: Will Auto Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

If you carry comprehensive coverage, your auto policy will usually cover most hurricane-related damage: flooding, fallen trees, flying debris, and wind damage. If you decide to drive and crash in storm conditions—especially during a state of emergency—collision coverage is what typically applies.

The biggest takeaway: don’t wait until the forecast looks bad. Review comprehensive and collision coverage early, choose deductibles you can afford, and make any upgrades before insurers lock down policy changes in storm-impacted areas.