Wind-Driven Rain Damage: When Is It Covered by Home Insurance?

Wind-driven rain is rain pushed sideways by strong wind into a home — through a roof, around windows and doors, or through walls. In Florida it is one of the most common kinds of hurricane and tropical storm damage, and one of the most commonly denied. Whether it is covered usually turns on a single question: did the wind make an opening first?

The opening rule

Most homeowners policies cover wind damage, but they treat rain separately. The typical wording excludes damage from rain to the inside of the building unless a covered peril, such as wind, first damages the building and creates an opening in the roof or walls that the rain then enters through. In practice:

• Likely covered: wind tears shingles or roof decking off, breaks a window, or blows in a door, and rain pours in through the opening.
• Often disputed: rain forced through a window seal, a soffit vent or around a door that the wind did not physically damage. Insurers frequently deny these as not involving a wind-created opening, or as wear and tear or poor maintenance.
• Not covered under homeowners: rising water — storm surge or flooding from outside the house. That is flood, which needs a separate flood policy.

Your hurricane deductible

In Florida, damage caused by a hurricane is subject to the policy's hurricane deductible, which is usually a percentage of the dwelling limit (commonly 2%, 5% or 10%) rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 dwelling limit, a 2% deductible is $8,000. Wind-driven rain damage from a named hurricane is typically measured against that deductible.

How to document a wind-driven rain claim

• Photograph the exterior first: missing or lifted shingles, damaged flashing, broken windows or doors, displaced soffits and vents. This is the evidence of the opening.
• Then photograph the interior: ceiling stains, wet insulation, damaged drywall, flooring and contents, with timestamps.
• Write down when the storm hit and when you first saw water inside.
• Make temporary repairs to stop more water getting in — tarp the roof, board windows — and keep the receipts. Policies require you to protect the property from further damage, and the reasonable cost is usually part of the claim.
• Dry out quickly. Mold that develops because water was left standing can be excluded or capped.
• Get a roofer's or contractor's written report connecting the exterior damage to the interior leaks.

If the insurer says it's not covered

Ask for the denial in writing with the exact policy language it relies on, and for any engineer's or inspector's report. Denials often hinge on the insurer finding no wind-created opening; an independent roof inspection can show otherwise. A public adjuster can review the policy, document the opening and the resulting damage, and present the claim properly.

Five Star Claims Adjusting's licensed public adjusters review claims at no upfront cost, and we are paid a percentage of the settlement only if we recover money for you. If your claim has been underpaid, delayed or denied, ask us for a free claim review.