Tornadoes and Insurance

Each year, approximately 1,200 tornadoes with wind speeds that can exceed 300 mph touch down in the United States. Though potentially not as damaging as hurricanes, tornadoes are more frequent. They can cause severe damage over a small area and, particularly before the advent of tornado warnings, caused many deaths. In the decade 1965–1974, tornadoes were responsible for an average of 141 deaths each year, compared with 57 in the 10 years from 1995 to 2004.

The peak of the tornado season is April through June or July. Spring tornadoes tend to be more severe and often strike the Southeast, which is more densely populated than the Great Plains, causing more deaths than those in the summer months. In addition, the South has more mobile homes than other regions, and mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to tornado damage.

Since 1990 the number of tornadoes reported each year has generally exceeded 1,000. In the three preceding decades, the only year in which there were more than 1,000 tornadoes was 1973, when 1,102 were reported. This increase may partly reflect improved technology and greater ability to detect tornadoes.

Thousands of homes, businesses and vehicles can be destroyed by powerful tornadoes. In June 2025, a powerful EF5 tornado struck near Enderlin, North Dakota, with winds estimated at about 210 mph. The storm destroyed homes and farm buildings, derailed rail cars, and carved a mile-wide path of destruction across the prairie.

Standard homeowners and business insurance policies cover wind damage caused by tornadoes and severe weather. Homeowners insurance policies also provide coverage for additional living expenses, helping policyholders pay for temporary housing and other necessary costs while their homes are repaired. Damage to vehicles is covered under the comprehensive portion of standard auto insurance policies, which is optional.