The summer of 2025 is beginning to become a scorcher. With a three-month outlook for July, August and September 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts above normal temperatures in all 50 states. NOAA estimates show that the West, Southwest, Gulf Coast and New England are more likely to experience above average temperatures. It’s not just hot. Summer weather can be stormy, rainy, wet, and easily cause hail. That’s what you need to know to get home as you’re ready for summer.
Top 5 Most Common Summer Home Insurance Claims
“In the summer, some of the biggest reasons for losses and claims are hail, wind and weather-related water,” Angi Oban, vice president of property and product management for travelers, told Bankrate. Home claim data from travelers revealed that non-weather water damage is common given the pipes and leaky sinks that are common in the summer.
Hail may not be the best in the summer. When the weather gets warmer, you’ll think it reduces the chances of ice falling from the sky. But Orbann says she saw an ascent in Hail’s claim when you might not expect them. “The hail has been extended to several summer months and can even start earlier than you normally would,” Oban told Bankrate. “It usually comes with thunderstorms and can cause a lot of roof damage.”
In 2024, Cotility (formerly CoreLogic) recorded a hail damage after recording 133 days. This is a decrease compared to 2023, but is 12 days above the 2020 average. Cotality’s 2025 Serious Convection Storm Risk Report found that Texas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas had the highest amount of homes damaged by hail of more than two inches.
Hail damage can be expensive. According to Orbann, prevention is the best treatment. “One of the best things homeowners can do is really think about maintaining or replacing the roof, and then “they’re not in a position to have to replace the roof as hail passes through.”
Your roof is not the only part of your home and is vulnerable to you. Windows may bear some burden. Orbann suggests that if the hail is known to be in the middle, it closes the blinds, tints and drapes. “If you have a broken explosion (window), it will blow into your home and minimize the chance of causing more damage or safety issues.”
Are you going on a long trip? Ready for your home vacation
According to Bankrate’s summer vacation survey, 46% of US adults plan to travel this summer. If you are one of them, don’t forget to prepare your home before you leave – an empty house is a robber’s dream. Following these tips will help prevent intrusions while you are away:
- Get the security system. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Even something as small as a doorbell camera can be enough to stop a robbery. In fact, more than 50% of homes have at least one security camera, according to Safehome’s 2025 Home Security Market Report. As a bonus, you may get a discount on your home insurance when you get a home security system.
- Please post photos until you get home. When you broadcast what you’re traveling, you can give the robber a green light to target your home. Share your vacation snaps in real time can be tempting, but consider posting something or waiting until you set your social media private.
- I’ll take out the trash. In most cases, insurance does not cover pest damage, as is considered negligence by the homeowner. Before you leave, empty all your garbage cans, throw away any food and other fresh food, and carry out the disposal of your garbage.
- Set the light on the timer. If you leave the light on, it will look like someone is at home. Some smart lights can be controlled via an app.
- Cover your pool. While it’s a great way to cool off, pools are also a major liability concern. Covering your pool before you leave will help prevent a claim of liability. Additionally, it helps prevent algae and other bacteria from blooming.
- Tell your trusty neighbors, friends and family. If you know you’ll be gone for longer stretches, you might want to give a copy of your home key to a neighbor you trust. That way they can look into things when you’re not around and fine-tune your bud potential insurance claims.
To prevent water damage that is not weather-related, Orbann recommends turning off the main water valves in your home if you know you will be away from the home for a long time. “If you can rest it on vacation, that’s another way to alleviate the loss…it won’t be too harsh.”
Summer Storms and Home Insurance: What You Need to Know
Not all summer weather is the sunlight. Thunderstorms are common throughout the summer and warm months. This is because there is more moisture in the air than the coolest month of the year. NOAA’s seasonal rain forecasts show that states primarily in Carolina, Georgia, Georgia, Florida and Virginia will see more than average rainfall.
Rain damage can be like a grey area when it comes to insurance coverage in your home. Sudden accidental floods are covered by your policies, but floods are not. For example, if a tree branch breaks a window and rain enters, you could probably submit claims of the resulting flood. However, if the rain leads to excessive flooding, the resulting flood damage will not be covered by your home insurance. To do this, you will need flood insurance.
Tornadoes are more common in May and June. Over the past few years, tornado activity has spread beyond traditional “tornado alleys” and has invaded southern states, namely Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and parts of Missouri. This new tornado hotbed is colloquially called “Dixie Alley.”
Cotality’s severe convection storm risk report identified the following states as having homes at the highest risk of tornado damage:
| state | Number of homes with moderate or higher risk of tornadoes |
|---|---|
| Texas | 808 million |
| Florida | 802 million |
| Illinois | 4.2 million |
| Georgia | 3.7 million |
| North Carolina | 3.43 million |
| Ohio | 3.35 million |
| Michigan | 2.95 million |
| Tennessee | 2.41 million |
| Indiana | 2.95 million |
| Missouri | 2.31 million |
| Pennsylvania | 2.06 million |
| South Carolina | 2.05 million |
| Alabama | 182 million |
| Maryland | 1.8 million |
| Louisiana | 172 million |
In most states, home insurance includes financial protection from wind. However, it may not be covered by some Gulf neighboring Texas County home insurance. In Florida, homeowners may choose to exclude wind from their policies and purchase wind insurance separately.
We can’t control the weather, but what can we do to prepare for strong winds? Orbann offers garden maintenance suggestions. “(Homeowners) recommend pruning tree limbs at least 10 feet from the home,” she says.
Orbann also encourages homeowners to hire experts to assess weak and dead trees. In wind storms, fallen trees and branches can (causing) some major damage that “homeowners) require them to leave the house for a while.”
Summer Storm Insurance Checklist
If there is a storm that is planning to blow towns away, you often can’t buy insurance at the last minute. Many insurance companies, particularly businesses in high-risk states, have enacted moratoriums ahead of large-scale storms, wildfires and other natural disasters. This means you cannot purchase a policy. Following these tips will help you make sure you are ready in advance.
- Check out our flood policy: Floods are not covered by home insurance alone. Make sure your policy is in place before the storm rolls.
- Make sure you have wind insurance: Wind is a typical summer home insurance loss. Your policy may include financial compensation for wind damage, but please read the fine print carefully to make sure this is true.
- Create a home inventory: In the event of losses, having the home stock to be ready will help to facilitate the billing process.
- Have your roof inspected: A roof inspection can identify weak spots on the roof before it becomes a serious damage.
