If you have an insured property in Colorado, the winds of change may have already swept through your insurance coverage. If you haven’t seen it yet, you may see it soon on your insurance policy: the wind deductible. A wind deductible is a higher deductible that is separate from the main deductible on your property insurance policy, and it applies specifically to damage caused by wind or hail. Unlike normal deductibles that are usually expressed as a flat dollar amount, a wind deductible is usually a percentage of the dwelling limit on your policy or the total value of the policy.

In Colorado, insurance companies have begun to lose a lot of money from claims of hail and wind damage, especially from those in Colorado’s Front Range. Most of the wind damage affects the roof, which can be quite costly to repair. With that in mind, chances are that your home insurance policy already includes the wind deductible.

Where a lot of people make a mistake is by assuming that when they make a claim, their wind deductible will only be equal to a small percentage of their actual repair cost. In fact, the deductible usually amounts to somewhere between one and five percent of the total value or dwelling limit on your policy. Basically this means that if you have a $200,000 house and a three percent wind deductible, you will be responsible for the first $6,000 in repairs due to wind damage. With this in mind, it is vitally important that you go over your policy with an independent agent and make sure that the amounts are correct.

To get the best insurance coverage at the best price, even with a wind deductible included, your independent agent here in Centennial can help. By making sure that you have the right amount of insurance on your home, we can make sure that you’re not paying too much for your wind deductible.

For those who have a homeowners insurance policy, knowing what is covered in it is critical. For those in Centennial, Colorado, a range of weather events and natural disasters can occur and leave you with significant damage to your property. Every policy is slightly different so you will need to contact an independent agent to learn about the specifics. However, in most cases, the following natural occurrences may be covered under your policy.

• Fire brought on by lightning is often covered.
• Windstorms that damage your home, such as causing a tree branch to break off and hit your property are often covered.
• Hail damage, especially to your roof, windows, or vehicles may be covered by your insurance.
• Explosions if they are caused by a natural disaster may also be covered, such as lightening striking a power main.
• Smoke damage from a related fire may be covered.
• Damage caused by the weight of ice buildup or snow can be a common problem in the Colorado area. Sleet can also be dangerous and is often covered.
• Overflow of water from a stream or river or from other flooding, if your policy has flood coverage may be covered. Keep in mind that some areas of Colorado may be in a flood zone, which means this type of insurance may not be available.

It is also important to know what is commonly not covered. Earth movements, such as earthquakes or tremors are not often covered. Any type of nuclear accident is also not covered.

Here is the good news, though. To find out what coverage you have, to get more, or to get help filing a claim, contact us. At Compass Insurance Group, we are an independent agency that works to meet your needs. Let us help you to ensure you home is properly insured.