Insurance Information Institute Releases New Hurricane Fact Files for 6 States as Storm Season Nears

NEW YORK, May 29 -- The Insurance Information Institute issued the following news release:

With 2020's Atlantic hurricane season starting on Monday June 1, the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) has issued its updated Hurricane Fact Files for six states: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas.

Hurricanes Barry and Dorian made landfall in Louisiana and North Carolina, respectively, in 2019. Before then, Hurricanes Michael (2018) and Irma (2017) caused extensive damage in Florida while Hurricane Harvey (2017) brought record-setting rainfall to Texas. Two named storms--Arthur and Bertha--have already formed in the Atlantic Ocean in 2020.

The Fact Files include detailed information about each state's auto, business, and homeowners insurance markets; the insured losses caused by previous hurricanes; the number of homes in each state at-risk from storm surge (e.g., water driven onshore by wind), and how many FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies are in-force in each state.

Wind damage from tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under standard business and homeowners insurance policies. Flood-caused property damage is excluded under standard business, homeowners, and renters insurance policies. Separate flood coverage can be purchased from FEMA's NFIP and a few private insurance companies.

Damage to private-passenger vehicles from tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. Comprehensive coverage includes wind damage, flooding and falling objects, such as tree limbs. Nearly four out of five (78 percent) U.S. drivers opt to purchase comprehensive coverage, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) found.