Why does my policy have more than one deductible?

A policy commonly carries a flat deductible for most claims and a separate percentage-based wind and hail deductible in storm-exposed states like Georgia.

Does my own insurance cover me when I stay in an Airbnb or VRBO?

The host's short-term rental policy protects the host, not you. As an Airbnb or VRBO guest, your own homeowners or renters insurance usually covers your belongings and personal liability away from home, within policy limits, while travel insurance covers trip-specific risks neither the host nor your home policy will.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

No. Standard homeowners policies exclude all flood damage regardless of cause.

What does uninsured motorist coverage do?

If you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills.

When do we use Selective for flood coverage versus NFIP?

Selective private flood wins for Zone X and moderate AE properties where it beats NFIP on price and offers higher limits with ALE coverage.

What happens if I can't find wind coverage for a vacant coastal Alabama property?

All FAQs

Quick answer: The Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association (AIUA), the state wind pool, writes windstorm and hail coverage in Baldwin and Mobile counties when private carriers decline the risk, including harder-to-place vacant property. It covers wind and hail only, so flood and water intrusion need a separate policy. Available through Olive Cover.

Why vacant coastal property is doubly hard

A vacant home is harder to insure than an occupied one (no one is there to catch a small problem before it becomes a large one), and coastal wind exposure makes it harder still. Private carriers often decline the combination.

Where the wind pool comes in

Under Code of Alabama Section 27-1-24, every insurer licensed to write fire and extended-coverage insurance in Alabama must belong to the AIUA. It is the insurer of last resort for wind and hail in the coastal beach area south of the 31st parallel in Baldwin and Mobile counties, and it can be the way to cover wind on a vacant coastal home. Flood, storm surge, and water intrusion still need a separate NFIP or private flood policy, and vacancy can affect other coverages too, so the whole policy set matters.

The step to take

Because vacancy changes what several policies will and will not pay, a coverage review is the way to confirm wind, flood, and vacancy terms line up for the property. See Alabama vacant home insurance, the AIUA glossary term, and Alabama flood insurance for more.