How do hurricane roof claims work on the Cape Fear coast?

Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach on September 14, 2018, and Hurricane Isaias came ashore near Ocean Isle Beach on August 3, 2020, according to the National Hurricane Center. NOAA's Storm Events Database also records hurricane conditions on the Cape Fear coast during Matthew in October 2016, and tropical storm conditions during at least ten other storms since 2006.

Which deductible will apply after a hurricane?

Short answer: often a named-storm or hurricane deductible set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, not your regular dollar deductible.

Many North Carolina policies, especially near the coast, carry a separate hurricane, named-storm, or wind/hail deductible, often written as a percentage of the dwelling coverage (Coverage A) rather than a flat dollar amount. The declarations page shows which deductibles apply. The NC Department of Insurance can explain terms and take complaints.

Illustration: a 2% deductible on $400,000 of dwelling coverage is $8,000; a 5% deductible on $350,000 is $17,500. On many coastal claims, that means smaller roof repairs are paid by the homeowner. Read the trigger language, which determines when the deductible starts and ends.

The North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (the Coastal Property Insurance Pool) writes wind and hail coverage for many properties in the state's beach and coastal areas when the regular market will not.

Wind or water: which policy pays?

Short answer: wind, and rain that comes in through wind damage, belongs to your homeowners or wind policy. Storm surge and rising water are flood, which requires a separate flood policy, usually through the NFIP.

Florence brought both wind and extreme rainfall, so many claims had to separate them. Photos of the roof damage and the interior water line help adjusters do that.

How can you get your roof ready?

• Take "before" photos at the start of every season. They are your best answer to a wear-and-tear finding.
• Clean gutters and downspouts so heavy rain can drain.
• Have a tree service trim limbs over the roof; never work near power lines yourself.
• Store or tie down anything that could fly.
• When you reroof, consider a sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails and stronger edge details, such as those in the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard, and ask your insurer about any discount.

The first days after landfall

1. Wait for local officials to allow re-entry, especially on the islands and causeways.
2. Photograph and video every side of the house, the roof from the ground, ceilings, the attic and any water line before you clean up.
3. Stop further damage with tarps and boarding, and pull out wet drywall and insulation to slow mold. Keep receipts.
4. Report each claim: homeowners, NCIUA and flood if you have them. Note the storm name.
5. Expect long waits for adjusters and contractors, and screen anyone who knocks; see questions to ask a roofer.

Recent tropical storms on the Cape Fear coast

Tropical storm conditions were recorded in New Hanover, Brunswick or Pender forecast zones during Ernesto (2006), Hanna (2008), Irene (2011), Sandy (2012), Andrea (2013), Arthur (2014), Ana (2015), Hermine (2016), Elsa (2021), Colin and Ian (2022) and Ophelia (2023), according to the NOAA Storm Events Database. Storm surge was recorded during Isaias in 2020 and Ian in 2022.

Federal disaster help

When a federal disaster is declared, FEMA Individual Assistance may cover some uninsured needs, but it does not replace insurance and generally requires you to file with your insurer first. Apply through DisasterAssistance.gov.