Yes. A standard Washington homeowners policy typically covers wind and hail damage to your home and other structures, subject to your policy limits and deductible. Washington's windstorms, sometimes called “Big Blows,” are a well-known part of living here, and most policies are written with that risk in mind. That said, “typically covered” isn't the same as “automatically covered for everything,” so it's worth knowing where the lines are drawn.
Fall and winter in Washington bring a steady run of Pacific storm systems, and every few years one of them turns into a genuine windstorm event strong enough to bring down trees, rip off shingles, and knock out power across whole counties. Hail is less frequent here than in the Midwest, but it does happen, especially during spring and early summer thunderstorms east of the Cascades and in isolated pockets on the west side.
Because both risks are common enough to plan for, insurers generally build wind and hail into the standard homeowners policy rather than treating them as optional add-ons the way flood and earthquake coverage are handled.
Most Washington homeowners policies include:
A few real-world examples: a windstorm tearing shingles off your roof, a hailstorm denting or cracking your siding, or a falling branch shattering a window during a storm are all the kind of claims a standard policy is designed to pay out, minus your deductible.
Wind and hail coverage have real limits, and the most important one is water. If wind-driven rain gets in through a hole the storm itself created in your roof, that's typically covered as storm damage. But if the damage comes from rising water, storm surge, or general flooding, even during the same storm, that falls under a flood exclusion that standard homeowners policies carry. Washington courts have upheld this distinction: in one 2023 case, a federal court in the Eastern District of Washington ruled that water damage from a windstorm was excluded under a homeowners policy's flood and surface water exclusion, even though wind was involved in the same event.
If flooding is a real concern for your property, whether from the Puget Sound, a river, or heavy rain overwhelming local drainage, that needs a separate flood policy. We've covered that topic in more detail in our post on atmospheric river flooding and homeowners insurance in Washington.
Sewer and drain backup during heavy rain is another common gap. It generally isn't covered unless you've added optional water backup coverage.
Read more: Best Ways to Protect Your Home from Hailstorm Damage
Washington's storm seasons aren't getting any milder, and older policies don't always keep pace with today's rebuild costs. Humble Insurance Group can review your homeowners policy and help make sure your dwelling limit and coverage actually match your home. Contact us today or give us a call at (425) 226-8221 or request a free quote today.
Yes, wind damage to a roof, including torn or missing shingles, is a standard covered peril under most Washington homeowners policies, subject to your deductible and policy limits.
It's less common than in states like Texas or Colorado, but hail does occur here, particularly in spring storms, and it's included as a standard covered peril in most policies.
Generally, no. Wind damage itself is covered, but water damage from flooding or storm surge is typically excluded, even when the flooding happens during the same storm. Separate flood insurance is needed for that risk.
It can, depending on your claim’s history and carrier, though a single weather-related claim is usually treated differently than a claim tied to neglect or lack of maintenance. Ask your agent how your specific carrier handles this.
