Does Car Insurance Cover Natural Disasters?

Find out which disasters car insurance covers, what policies apply, and how to file a claim after severe weather.

  • Comprehensive coverage is the only type that covers natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.
  • Liability and collision won’t cover damage from weather, falling trees, or rising water.

Want peace of mind before the next storm? Compare quotes for comprehensive coverage now.

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Ava Lynch

Insurance Analyst

Ava joined The Zebra as a writer and licensed insurance agent in 2016. She now works as a senior insurance contributor, providing insights and data a…

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Renata Balasco

Senior Content Strategist

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist.…

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Beth Swanson

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Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

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Does car insurance cover natural disasters?

Yes — if you have comprehensive coverage. This part of your car insurance protects against damage from natural disasters and other uncontrollable events, often called "Acts of God." That includes things like hurricanes, floods, wildfireshail, and earthquakes — as long as you had coverage before the event occurred.

Let’s break down what comprehensive insurance covers and how it works when disaster strikes.

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Comprehensive vs. Collision Insurance Coverage

What's the difference between collision and comprehensive insurance? Our insurance experts dive into the details of each.

 

What counts as a natural disaster in car insurance?

A natural disaster in insurance usually refers to large-scale events caused by nature, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, hail, earthquakes, or severe storms. These often fall under the broader label of “Acts of God,” which means they’re sudden and out of human control.

Comprehensive coverage protects you from most natural disasters for car insurance. However, not every event is automatically covered, so it's smart to review your policy details and ask your insurer about specific exclusions.

What is covered?

Comprehensive car insurance typically protects your vehicle from most natural disasters. This includes events like floods, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, hailstorms, and other large-scale natural events. However, coverage hinges on one critical factor: timing. Most insurance companies enforce binding restrictions if a threat is imminent—meaning you must already have comprehensive coverage in place before the disaster is forecasted or occurring.

To stay protected, ensure you maintain continuous comprehensive coverage—especially during peak storm or fire seasons.

🌀 Storm coming? Act early.

  • Add comprehensive coverage before storm alerts: Once a binding restriction hits, it’s too late.

  • Check for exclusions like floods or earthquakes.

  • Flood insurance takes time: FEMA requires a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins.

Don't wait for the forecast—review your policy while skies are still clear.


Are all natural disasters treated the same in an auto claim?

No. While most natural disasters are covered under comprehensive car insurance, the details can vary:

  • Hail, wind, fire, flood, earthquake, and tornado damage are typically covered, as long as you’ve added comprehensive coverage to your policy.

  • Hurricane-related damage may be split between wind and flood sources. Flood damage specifically is only covered by comprehensive, not liability or collision, and disputes over the cause can affect payout decisions.

  • Regional risk matters. Insurers may raise premiums, impose higher deductibles, or even limit coverage availability in high-risk areas (e.g., wildfire zones, hurricane-prone coasts, or floodplains).

Always read your policy carefully and speak with your insurer about how your plan handles specific natural disaster scenarios.

What does "Acts of God" mean in car insurance?

An "Act of God" refers to damage caused by events you can’t control, like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or sinkholes. These are typically natural disasters, but some insurers include vandalism or civil unrest.

Not all policies cover Acts of God by default. Some require you to add extra coverage, depending on where you live and the type of policy. Comprehensive coverage usually protects you from these unpredictable events, as long as they aren’t tied to a collision or your own liability.

Compare rates and save on comprehensive coverage today.

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Why can't I get car insurance right before a natural disaster?

When a natural disaster—like a hurricane or flood—is forecast, insurers often issue binding restrictions, temporarily freezing policy changes. That means you can’t add, upgrade, or start new coverage until the threat has passed.

Insurance is designed to cover unexpected events. When a threat is forecasted days in advance, insurers pause changes to avoid last-minute adjustments based on known risks. These moratoriums often apply statewide, even if you’re not in the direct path.

storm damage

How much does disaster insurance coverage cost?

It depends. Because comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle, expensive vehicles cost more to insure. Consider raising your deductible if you can afford more coverage but prefer to keep your monthly payment lower. It means you'd pay more out of pocket if you were to file a claim, but it does keep your payments smaller in the short term.
 
If you're a member of the military, USAA is usually the most affordable option. American National and Travelers are also affordable options if savings is your top priority.
Average Rates for Full Coverage with a $1,000 and $500 Deductible
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Updating data...

Company Avg. Monthly Premium Avg. 6 Mo. Premium
Allstate $201 $1,206
Progressive $157 $943
Farmers $149 $893
State Farm $131 $785
American Family $131 $784
GEICO $129 $771
Nationwide $123 $738
USAA $114 $683
Travelers $112 $671
American National $95 $570

Source: The Zebra

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.


Do you need comprehensive coverage?

Comprehensive coverage isn't cheap, so audit your situation and make an informed decision about its necessity. Luckily, car insurance quotes are free so you can quickly decide which company offers you the best value. Do you want to pay the premium necessary to receive compensation if your vehicle is damaged or totaled by a weather event? This can be tricky to answer. Follow our steps below to see if you need this coverage.
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Is your vehicle worth enough to justify comprehensive coverage?

If your vehicle is worth less than $4,000, your insurance agent might advise you to drop this coverage. In this case, comprehensive coverage would yield a very small payout in the case of a total loss.

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Are you leasing or financing the vehicle?

If you are, you’re required to carry this coverage in order for the other party — the lender or dealership — to protect their investment.

money key
Are you going to resell your vehicle?

If you’re not leasing or financing but are planning on selling your vehicle in the future, comprehensive and collision coverage are great ways to maintain the vehicle’s resale value.

 

Buying or Selling a Car After a Disaster | The Zebra

Accidentally buying a flood car for sale is a serious threat to consumers after hurricane hits. Know what to look for...

 

Do car insurance rates go up after a natural disaster?

Yes—but not always right away. If you’ve filed a comprehensive claim, it may affect your rate for up to three years. That’s because insurers often surcharge your premium after a claim, even for events beyond your control.

The table below shows the average price difference a driver could see as the number of comprehensive claims they file increases. 

Average Rates by Company After Comprehensive Claims

Updating data...

Company No Claims One comp claim Two comp claims Difference between claims
American National $570 $587 $590 $33
Travelers $671 $821 $858 $218
USAA $683 $683 $689 $9
Nationwide $738 $738 $738 $0
GEICO $771 $782 $796 $32
American Family $784 $871 $949 $174
State Farm $785 $785 $785 $0
Farmers $893 $942 $1,024 $128
Progressive $941 $1,048 $1,140 $174
Allstate $1,206 $1,244 $1,282 $59

Source: The Zebra

Other reasons for an increase

Another factor is the insurer’s annual rate revision. Most companies reassess rates once a year, using data from recent claims to adjust future pricing. After a costly natural disaster, insurers may raise rates across the board—even if you didn’t file a claim.

Premium increases vary by company. If your rate has jumped, whether due to a claim or a market-wide hike, it might be a smart time to shop around.

Enter your ZIP code below to compare personalized quotes and see what you could save.

Find the best comprehensive coverage for your needs today!

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Natural disasters and car insurance: FAQs

Likely, yes. Comprehensive claims don’t hit your rates as hard as accidents, but some insurers might still raise your premium—especially if the claim was expensive or you’ve had more than one. Things like hitting a deer or fixing a cracked windshield usually have less impact. Most comprehensive claims stick on your record for about three years.

Yes, they often do. Even if you didn’t file a claim, insurers sometimes raise rates across entire regions after major events like hurricanes, wildfires, or floods. It’s their way of adjusting for higher risk and big payouts. If your rate jumps unexpectedly, it’s a good time to shop around—some companies raise prices more than others.

Insurers may freeze policy changes when a major storm or disaster is on the way. That means you can’t add or upgrade coverage—like comprehensive—until the threat passes. If you want protection from things like floods or hail, make sure you’re covered before severe weather is in the forecast.

When an insurance policy refers to an “Act of God” or “Act of Nature,” it’s talking about unexpected, unpreventable natural events that cause damage like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, or wildfires. In car insurance, comprehensive coverage is what typically protects you from damage caused by these events. Liability or collision coverage won’t apply, so it’s worth checking your policy before disaster strikes.

In-house experts, on your side.

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Jordan Lazare

Digital Manager of Agency

With a 10-year career in the insurance industry, Jordan brings a wealth of experience in property and casualty insurance. He has experience in both c…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Life, Health and Variable Annuities
  • 10+ insurance experience
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Erica Alderete

Customer Service Manager

Erica began at The Zebra in 2020 as a Licensed Service Agent, bringing six years of insurance experience from her career at Progressive where she spe…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 10+ years in the insurance industry
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Amber Vigil

Sales Manager

Amber Vigil has three years of experience in the insurance industry and joined The Zebra in 2024. As manager, she leads a group of sales agents, ensu…

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About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

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