Named Storm Deductible

A named storm deductible is a separate deductible on a homeowners policy that applies only when damage is caused by a hurricane or tropical storm that the National Weather Service has officially named. It is distinct from the standard all-other-perils deductible (typically a fixed dollar amount) and from the wind/hail deductible (which applies to non-named-storm wind events).

Named storm deductibles are expressed as a percentage of the dwelling coverage amount, commonly 2 percent to 5 percent. On a 500,000 home with a 5 percent named storm deductible, the homeowner pays 25,000 out of pocket before any named-storm claim is paid. That is a significant exposure most homeowners do not realize until they file a claim.

In Georgia, named storm deductibles are most common in the six coastal counties: Chatham (Savannah area), Bryan, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn (Brunswick area), and Camden (St. Marys area). Inland counties typically do not have named storm deductibles, though some carriers apply them statewide for hurricane-prone weather patterns.

When does a named storm deductible apply? The trigger is the National Weather Service officially naming the storm. The deductible typically remains in effect from the time the storm is named until 24 to 72 hours after it is downgraded or moves out of the area, even if your specific damage occurs during the tail end of the event.

For coastal Georgia homeowners, the named storm deductible is often the single biggest cost driver in the homeowners policy and the line item most worth understanding before a storm season starts. A higher named storm deductible lowers your premium meaningfully but exposes you to a larger out-of-pocket loss when a storm hits. The Coverage Review walks through the trade-off explicitly so the deductible choice matches your cash reserves.