Does home insurance cover hail and storm damage?
Your home and contents insurance needs to be ready for anything the Australian climate throws at you—storms, hail, and other extreme weather. Most insurance policies cover storm damage as standard, and hail is generally included as a part of this, though it’s important to double check with your preferred insurer before locking in a policy.
What kind of storm damage does home insurance cover?
While the exact definition of storm damage varies between insurers, it generally includes damage caused by:
- Hail
- Strong winds
- Cyclones
- Lightning strikes
- Earth movements, like landslides, mudslides or erosion, that's caused by a storm and occurs soon after (within 72 hours, for example)
- Fallen trees and other debris
- The escape of rainwater from pipes, drains, or gutters
- Surface rainwater run-off from surrounding areas as a result of a storm (and usually within 24 hours of the storm)
Most home insurance policies on Canstar’s database cover storm damage but, if you want to be certain of exactly what a policy covers, then it’s important you read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), or get in touch with the provider directly so they can answer any specific questions you have.
How much does home insurance with storm cover cost?
The below table shows the average costs for home and contents insurance policies from Canstar's database if purchased separately, and the average cost for combined home and contents policies.
Average insurance costs by state
State | Home | Contents | Home & |
|---|---|---|---|
NSW | $2,320 | $503 | $2,613 |
VIC | $2,024 | $467 | $2,299 |
North | $4,117 | $766 | $4,624 |
QLD | $2,881 | $525 | $3,166 |
SA | $1,675 | $414 | $1,933 |
WA | $1,943 | $471 | $2,224 |
TAS | $1,882 | $436 | $2,155 |
NT | $4,393 | $762 | $4,814 |
National | $2,485 | $520 | $2,795 |
Source: www.canstar.com.au - 05/01/2026. Premiums based on quotes obtained for Canstar's 2025 Home and Contents Insurance Awards and Star Ratings (September 2025), for a range of addresses, property assumptions and building sum insured amounts. Premiums based on building sum insured amounts between $300,000 and $1,500,000 and a contents sum insured of $50,000. *North QLD is defined as the portion of Queensland north of, but not including, Rockhampton.
What's typically included in home insurance with storm cover?
If your policy includes storm cover, it may help cover damage to a range of structures around your property caused by hail, strong winds, or heavy rain.
Depending on the policy and level of cover, this may include damage to:
- Your roof, including tiles, metal sheets, or gutters
- Windows, skylights, and doors damaged by hail or debris
- The structural parts of your home, such as walls and ceilings
- Garages, sheds, and other insured outbuildings
- Permanent fixtures, such as solar panels or built-in outdoor structures.
Some policies may also cover certain outdoor structures, but items like fences, retaining walls, gardens, or outdoor surfaces may have limited cover or exclusions that apply.
Because cover limits and exclusions can vary between insurers, it’s important to check your policy documents to confirm which parts of your property are covered and for how much.
What's typically excluded from home insurance with storm cover?
It’s common for home and contents insurance to exclude loss or damage from:
- A flood (unless you have specifically taken out flood cover or it's included in your policy)
- Actions of the sea like a king tide, tsunami, or coastal erosion—though cyclones are usually included
- Rain, hail, or wind entering your home due to open windows, unsecured entrances, poor maintenance, construction issues, or defects
- Fixtures that aren't in good working condition, for example, damage to a fence that's already rotted or broken
- Pools and spa covers and the cost of replacing pool water
Damage to lawns, gardens, fences and retaining walls, as well as sporting surfaces or courts, will also be excluded. Insurers generally expect homeowners to keep their property in good condition and reasonably maintained. If poor upkeep contributed to the damage, the claim may be reduced or declined.
If your home is damaged during a storm, it’s a good idea to document the damage with photos and videos, and then contact your insurer as soon as possible to understand the next steps in the claims process.
What's the difference between storm and flood cover?
Storm and flood cover are considered separate forms of cover by most insurers and may not be offered as a standard inclusion in all policies. Storm cover can help protect you financially from damage caused by strong winds, lightning strikes, and fallen trees, where as flood insurance can cover you for damaged caused by what your insurer defines as a 'flood'.
It's important to check if a policy covers you for both storm and flood-related damage, as well as any limits, sub-limits, and exclusions that may apply to the coverage.
Is a storm surge covered under storm damage?
Storm surges are not automatically covered under storm damage. Most insurers treat it as an ‘action of the sea’, which is usually excluded from standard home or contents insurance.
Some policies may provide cover if the storm surge happens during a storm and is linked to other insured storm damage, but this depends on the specific wording of your policy.
Does home insurance cover hail damage to your roof?
Given the ferocity of Australia's storms, hail damage to your roof may be a concern. While home insurance policies with storm cover typically include hail, it's important to read your PDS or check with your insurer to determine the extent of your coverage.
The signs of hail damage to a roof after a storm can range from missing or cracked shingles to dents in metal sheets, and if you notice any of these signs, it's important to contact your insurer as soon as possible.
Does home insurance cover hail damage to your car?
In most cases, home and contents insurance will not cover hail damage to your car. Vehicles are typically insured under a car insurance policy, rather than a home insurance policy. If your car is damaged by hail during a storm, cover may be available if you have comprehensive car insurance, which generally protects your vehicle against insured events like storms, hail, fire, and theft. Other types of optional car insurance, like third party insurance, usually won’t cover damage to your own vehicle, including hail damage.
This means that even if your home insurance policy covers storm damage to your property, hail damage to your car would need to be claimed through your car insurer.
How can I lodge a home insurance claim for storm damage?
If your property is damaged by a storm, you can follow these steps to manage the claims process:
Step 1: Prioritise safety
Ensure your surroundings are secure. Disconnect electronics, avoid fallen power lines, and contact 000 or the SES if there's structural damage.
Step 2: Document the damage
Once it's safe, take photos of the property and collect receipts for any damaged or lost items to support your claim.
Step 3: Contact your insurer
Send your insurer all the details and claim documents. They might send an assessor to inspect your property. If there are multiple claims due to a significant storm, it could take longer for them to assess your claim.
Step 4: Await the decision
Your insurer will review the assessment against your policy terms to approve or deny the claim.
Step 5: Escalate if needed
If you disagree with the outcome, you can lodge a complaint with your insurer’s Internal Dispute Resolution team. If you're unsatisfied with their outcome, you can escalate it to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
