Homeowners Insurance During Hurricane Season

General Availability During Season

Yes, homeowners insurance remains generally available during hurricane season, though with important limitations and restrictions. Most major insurance carriers continue writing new policies throughout the June-November Atlantic hurricane season for qualified properties in non-coastal regions. Standard insurers like State Farm, Allstate, and USAA typically maintain year-round underwriting operations, focusing more on property characteristics and applicant qualifications than specific calendar dates. Regional insurers generally follow similar availability patterns, though they may implement more restrictive underwriting guidelines during active storm periods. Unlike some coastal states with formal moratoriums, most jurisdictions lack regulations prohibiting new policy issuance during hurricane season, allowing continued market access for eligible properties.

Binding Restrictions During Storm Threats

While general availability continues, insurers implement temporary "binding restrictions" when named storms pose immediate threats to specific regions. These restrictions typically activate when hurricanes or tropical storms track within predetermined distances (usually 24-72 hours) from potential landfall areas. During binding periods, insurers suspend new policy issuance, coverage increases, and policy modifications until storm threats pass. These temporary suspensions apply to threatened geographic zones rather than entire states, allowing continued business in unaffected areas. Once storms move away or dissipate, normal underwriting operations resume quickly, typically within 24-48 hours after threat clearance.

Coastal Property Limitations

Properties in designated coastal counties face significantly more restrictive availability during hurricane season. High-risk coastal areas often experience complete underwriting suspensions from major carriers throughout the active season, regardless of immediate storm threats. Some insurers maintain year-round coastal restrictions, making hurricane season timing irrelevant for these high-exposure properties. State-backed insurers of last resort, like Florida's Citizens Property Insurance or Texas's FAIR Plan, typically continue operations during hurricane season, though with their own binding restriction protocols. These coastal limitations reflect substantially higher hurricane exposure and insurers' concerns about adverse selection when coverage is purchased only during threat periods.

Waiting Period Considerations

Even when policies remain available during hurricane season, mandatory waiting periods affect actual protection timing. Most new homeowners policies implement 15-30 day waiting periods before wind/hail coverage takes effect, preventing last-minute purchases when storms approach. These waiting periods apply regardless of immediate storm threats, making advance planning essential for meaningful hurricane protection. Some specialized wind-only policies or surplus line carriers offer shorter waiting periods, though typically at premium rates reflecting the increased risk. Understanding these timing restrictions emphasizes the importance of securing coverage well before hurricane season begins rather than attempting to obtain protection when storms threaten.