- Comprehensive insurance pays for nearly all hurricane-related vehicle damage — from flooding and fallen trees to flying debris.
- The average cost of adding comprehensive coverage is about $588 per year with a $500 deductible, far less than the thousands a single storm-related repair can cost.
- After major storms like Ian and Idalia, the average comprehensive claim for flood-damaged cars exceeded $12,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
When a hurricane hits, your first concern is safety — but what about your car? Each year, hurricanes and tropical storms cause billions of dollars in vehicle damage from flooding, flying debris and fallen trees. If you live in a coastal or storm-prone area, knowing whether your insurance will cover the damage can make all the difference.
The good news: Yes, comprehensive car insurance covers hurricane damage. This includes flooding, hail, debris and even total losses caused by extreme weather.
What comprehensive insurance covers during a hurricane
Comprehensive coverage protects your car from non-collision events, including most hurricane-related damage. That means if a storm floods your car, knocks a tree onto it or sends debris through your windshield, you’re covered.
Here’s what’s typically included under comprehensive coverage during a hurricane:
- Flood or storm surge damage: Water intrusion into the engine, electrical system or interior.
- Wind damage: Broken glass, dented panels or total loss from high winds.
- Fallen trees or debris: Damage from flying branches, roof tiles or other storm materials.
- Fire or explosion after the storm: Fires caused by electrical short circuits or flood-related damage.
- Total loss protection: If repair costs exceed the vehicle’s value, your insurer pays the car’s actual cash value.
Comprehensive coverage is optional in most states but required by lenders if you lease or finance your vehicle.
What’s not covered by comprehensive insurance
While comprehensive coverage offers broad protection, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind:
- Coverage added too late: Once a hurricane warning is issued, insurers often place a “binding restriction,” preventing new or updated policies until the storm passes.
- Liability-only policies do not cover storm or flood damage.
- Neglect or pre-existing damage — for example, leaving your windows open during heavy rain.
- Mechanical breakdowns unrelated to the storm.
How to file a hurricane damage claim
If your vehicle is damaged in a hurricane, follow these steps to ensure a smooth claims process:
- Document the damage with photos and videos before moving the car.
- Contact your insurance company immediately to report the claim.
- Avoid driving a flooded car — it can cause more mechanical damage.
- Schedule an inspection or adjuster visit to assess the damage.
- Get a repair estimate or total loss valuation from your insurer.
Keep in mind that hurricane damage claims fall under your comprehensive deductible, typically between $250 and $1,000.
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When to file a claim — and when to pay out of pocket
If repairs exceed your deductible, it’s usually worth filing a claim. However, if damage is minor (like a small dent or broken mirror), paying out of pocket might prevent future premium increases.
Filing multiple weather-related claims over time can affect your rate, even if the events weren’t your fault. A good rule of thumb: File when damage costs exceed your deductible by at least $1,000.
How to prepare your car before a hurricane
Preparation can make all the difference. Before a hurricane makes landfall:
- Review your insurance policy to confirm your comprehensive coverage is active.
- Park on high ground or in a covered garage.
- Avoid trees and power lines that could fall in high winds.
- Remove valuables and store important documents separately.
- Keep your gas tank full in case of evacuation.
- Pack a go-bag with important documents, medications, laptops, etc.
Hurricane-prone states with the highest car insurance costs
States most exposed to hurricanes — like Florida, Louisiana and Texas — also have the nation’s highest car insurance costs in 2025. Reviewing your policy before storm season can help ensure your vehicle is fully protected when disaster strikes.
State Average annual premium (2025) Primary risk Florida $2,694 Hurricanes & flooding Louisiana $2,883 Hurricanes & hail Texas $2,043 Wind and tropical storms North Carolina $1,741 Coastal storm surges Maine $1,175 Low hurricane risk
Buy comprehensive coverage before a hurricane
The National Hurricane Center, or NHC, issues a hurricane or tropical storm warning when weather conditions are anticipated in an area within 36 hours. A storm watch is issued when hurricane — or tropical storm-force winds are possible within 48 hours.
This NHC information is significant because you need to buy comprehensive and collision coverage before a tropical storm watch/warning goes into effect. Otherwise, you may be out of luck.
Restrictions to note:
- Most car insurance companies put temporary binding restrictions into effect in areas under a hurricane or tropical storm watch/warning.
- Restrictions can also vary by state, but typically can include not accepting any applications for new coverage and not accepting requests for the addition of physical damage coverages, increased limits or lowering deductibles on existing policies. Restrictions typically go into effect when an area goes into a tropical storm watch/warning, lasting until 48 to 72 hours after the watch/warning ends.
- Renew or shop around to purchase a new auto insurance policy early so a binding restriction won’t come into play during hurricane season.
- Avoid purchasing a new car if a storm is approaching, as it could restrict your ability to buy the car insurance coverage that you need.
If your car is damaged during a hurricane or tropical storm, take pictures of the damage once it’s safe to venture outdoors and contact your auto insurance provider to make a claim.
Your auto insurer will likely tell you to prevent further loss, such as covering smashed windows or placing a tarp on your car. Not doing so could result in additional damage that your insurer won’t cover.
How car insurance covers flood damage to your car
Often, hurricanes mean flooding. Here’s how the different types of insurance coverage come into play if you’re caught in a flood:
- Comprehensive coverage: If your vehicle sustains water or flood damage, you can file a claim under your comprehensive insurance coverage, which covers any damage to your car up to its actual cash value caused by natural disasters.
- Collision coverage: Collision comes into play if you hydroplane and flip your car or hit another car or a tree. Your claim will pay to repair your vehicle or will pay the actual cash value of the car.
- Gap insurance: This type of insurance comes into play if your car is totaled and you owe more money on your car than it’s worth — gap insurance will pay the difference. You can get gap coverage from your car insurance or financing company, but it’s usually more expensive from your lender.
- Rental car reimbursement: If you have a second car or a way to get where you need to go without your car, you don’t need rental coverage. But if you’d be stranded for weeks while your car is being repaired, it may pay to have it.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comprehensive coverage
How much does comprehensive coverage cost in 2025?
Comprehensive coverage costs $714 per year with a $250 deductible, $588 per year with a $500 deductible and $467 per year with a $1,000 deductible.
When is hurricane season?
Hurricane season runs during June, July, August, September, October and November each year.
Which is the state most affected by hurricanes?
Florida has the most hurricanes annually of any state and most areas of Florida have been affected by hurricanes. According to the Florida Climate Center, “since 1850, all of Florida’s coastline has been impacted by at least one hurricane.”
Does car insurance cover hurricane flooding?
Yes, car damage from a hurricane, including flooding, is typically covered, but only if you have Comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. This coverage is optional (unlike your state-required liability) and pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by things other than a collision, like flooding, hail, wind or fire.
What if my car floods while parked at home?
If your car is damaged by floodwaters while parked in your driveway or garage, your Comprehensive coverage is what pays for the repairs or replacement. Unlike your homeowners policy, which covers your house and possessions, your auto insurance policy is dedicated to covering your vehicle itself.
Can I buy comprehensive coverage before a hurricane?
In most cases, no. Insurance companies usually stop allowing customers to add or increase coverage, such as comprehensive, once a hurricane or tropical storm has been officially named and is tracking toward a specific region. This is known as a binding restriction or moratorium. Insurers do this to prevent people from waiting until a disaster is imminent to purchase coverage.
How long before a storm can I add coverage?
The exact timing of an insurance binding restriction varies by insurer and state, but it usually begins as soon as the storm’s path is defined and a hurricane watch or warning is issued for your area. To be sure you’re protected, it’s best to review your policy and add comprehensive coverage well in advance of hurricane season.
Is hurricane damage to my vehicle covered by FEMA or my homeowners insurance?
Neither FEMA nor your standard homeowners insurance policy will cover damage to your vehicle.
FEMA: Federal disaster assistance may be available after a major disaster declaration, but it is typically reserved for necessary expenses and serious needs that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of assistance.
Homeowners insurance: Standard homeowners policies cover the structure of your home and your personal property inside it, but they specifically exclude coverage for motorized vehicles. For your car, you must rely on your auto policy’s comprehensive coverage.
Final thoughts
Comprehensive insurance is your car’s best protection against hurricanes and severe weather. Review your coverage before storm season and compare quotes to make sure your vehicle — and your finances — are protected no matter what nature brings.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
Florida Climate Center. “Hurricanes.” Accessed October 2025.
Statista. “Number of hurricanes that made landfall in the United States from 1851 to 2020, by state.” Accessed October 2025.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on the sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers carrying full coverage policies with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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