Is windstorm damage covered under a homeowners policy for personal property in the building without an opening caused by a covered peril?

Windstorm damage is typically not covered under a homeowners policy for personal property located in a building that does not have an opening caused by a covered peril. Homeowners insurance policies usually stipulate that coverage for certain types of damage, including windstorms, requires that the damage occurs through an opening created by a peril such as a tornado or hurricane.

If the windstorm causes damage without such an opening, it generally falls outside the scope of coverage. This means, for example, if high winds lead to damage of personal property but do not create a breach in the roof or walls of the home, the policyholder would not be able to claim reimbursement for that damage under their homeowners policy.

The rationale behind this is that insurers set specific terms under which they are willing to provide coverage for risks, and the presence of an opening caused by a covered peril is a vital condition to establish that such damage is insurable. Without meeting that condition, the damage from the windstorm remains uninsured.