Each year, Arizona’s monsoon season sweeps in with dramatic flair—bringing lightning, heavy rains, flash floods, dust storms, and high winds. While these weather events are a natural part of desert life, they can also cause unexpected and costly damage to homes and property. The big question for homeowners is: are you adequately protected?
Here’s a breakdown of how monsoon-related events can affect your home and what kind of insurance coverage you need to stay protected.
What Monsoon Season Brings
Monsoons in Arizona typically run from mid-June through September. During this time, powerful thunderstorms can form quickly, leading to:
- Flash flooding
- Roof and structural damage from high winds or falling trees
- Water damage from heavy rains
- Power outages
- Lightning strikes
While these natural events are seasonal, the damage they leave behind can be anything but predictable.
What Home Insurance Typically Covers
Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover some types of storm-related damage, but not all.
Wind and Hail Damage
If high winds tear off your roof or hail cracks your windows, your home insurance will likely step in to cover repairs. However, if you live in an area that experiences frequent windstorms, you may have a separate wind deductible, which could be higher than your standard deductible.
Lightning Strikes
If lightning strikes your home and causes a fire or damages electrical systems, that’s usually covered under a standard policy.
Fallen Trees
If a tree falls on your home due to a storm, your policy typically covers both the damage to the structure and the cost of tree removal (up to a certain amount).
What’s Usually Not Covered
Here’s where many homeowners get caught off guard—flood damage is not covered under standard homeowners insurance. That means if your home is damaged by water from flash flooding—a common monsoon threat—you won’t be covered unless you have a separate flood insurance policy.
Flood insurance is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and can also be purchased through many private insurers. It can protect both your home’s structure and your personal possessions, depending on the specific coverage you select.
Water vs. Flood Damage: Know the Difference
It’s important to understand how insurers define flood vs. water damage:
- Water damage (e.g., from a burst pipe or a leaking roof during a storm) is typically covered.
- Flood damage (e.g., water rising from outside the home and seeping indoors) is only covered with a flood insurance policy.
So, if monsoon rains cause a nearby wash to overflow and water enters your home, that’s considered a flood—and won’t be covered without flood insurance.
How to Prep for Monsoon Season
Insurance coverage is only one part of the equation. You can reduce your risk with some proactive steps:
- Check and maintain your roof to ensure it’s in good shape.
- Clear gutters and drains to avoid water buildup.
- Secure outdoor furniture and trees to minimize wind-related damage.
- Install surge protectors to guard against lightning-related power surges.
- Review your insurance policies now—not after a storm hits.
Monsoon season is a reality in Arizona, but being unprepared doesn’t have to be. Review your current home insurance to understand what is and isn’t covered. If you’re lacking flood insurance, consider the risk—even if you’re not in a designated flood zone. Over 20% of flood claims come from low- to moderate-risk areas.
Peace of mind during monsoon season starts with the right protection. Don’t wait until the rain starts falling to find out if you’re covered.
