Illinois is the sixth most likely state to experience tornadoes, so having the right protection is definitely worth considering. Recent years have had between 50 and 80 tornado reports per year, so there's no question that tornadoes are a big risk for Illinois residents.

Fortunately, tornadoes are covered under homeowners insurance, and an Illinois independent insurance agent can help you get set up with coverage and explain the ins and outs of the exact protection you'd receive if a tornado struck. 

Is Tornado Insurance Worth Having in Illinois?

In the middle of the US sits a loosely defined area known as Tornado Alley. In this part of the country, tornadoes occur more frequently. Illinois is sometimes included in Tornado Alley, but its high frequency of tornadoes shows the state is at risk for this catastrophic weather event. 

In one recent year, tornadoes caused approximately 2.53 billion U.S. dollars in damage across the United States. Here's how tornadoes have impacted Illinois.

• Illinois is the sixth most likely state to experience tornadoes.
• 63% of Illinois' tornadoes occur during peak tornado season, April through June.
• The average number of tornadoes in Illinois is 54 per year.
• The Tri-State tornado was a historic Illinois tornado that resulted in 695 deaths, 2,000 injuries, and $130 million in property damage.

When a tornado strikes your home, there's nothing you can do except hope the damage is minimal. The good news is that you can prepare for a tornado financially by having the right insurance policies in place to protect your home, vehicle, and other possessions. 

Because of the tornado risk in Illinois, it's worth having coverage. It's also worth working with an independent insurance agent to review your coverage and make sure you have the policies you need. 

What Is Tornado Insurance?

Tornadoes are covered under homeowners insurance as windstorms. Home insurance is made up of several policies that protect the structure of your home, your personal belongings, and cover any liability claims. In your policy is a comprehensive list of perils that insurance will cover.

Should you experience tornado damage, your home insurance policy should be more than adequate to help you pay for the damage. Through your home insurance, you'd receive the following coverages:

• Coverage for your personal belongings through your contents coverage
• Coverage for the structure of your home through your dwelling coverage
• Coverage for temporary living expenses if you're displaced from the home

Home insurance can help you rebuild after a tornado. The most important part of home insurance is making sure your policy limits are set at the right amount, which an agent can assist you with.

Why Is Personal Property Coverage So Important?

Personal property is one of the most important coverages in your insurance plan because it covers all of your most valuable items, and it protects these things from more than just tornadoes. Personal property coverage steps in if you experience damage from events like fire, severe storms, wind, hail, theft, vandalism and other perils. 

Here's an inside look at the benefits of personal property coverage.

• Coverage for your valuables, including furniture, sporting equipment, collectibles, clothing, electronics, and the like
• Coverage for your stuff that is stored in your home and off-premises
• Coverage for expensive items like jewelry, furs, and artwork. These items typically have dollar limits of coverage.
• Coverage for trees, plants, and shrubs located on your property
• Coverage for pets, including vet bills if the injury was from a covered peril

When shopping for personal property coverage, doing a home inventory can help you understand the limits you need on your policy to be fully protected.

How Is My Property Valued in Home Insurance?

When working with your agent to build your insurance policies, you'll hear discussions about how your property is valued. The two options for how insurance views the value of your property are actual cash value and replacement cost value. Here's how the two differ.

• Actual cash value: This reimburses you for any losses at the price your items are currently worth, taking depreciation into account. If your laptop was destroyed in a tornado, the insurance company would pay you based on its value as a used computer, not a brand-new one.
• Replacement cost value: This reimburses based on what it would cost to replace the item as new property. It does not factor in depreciation. If your laptop was destroyed in a tornado, the insurance company would reimburse for the amount it would cost to buy a new laptop. 

In some cases, you can choose whether you want your items valued for actual cash or replacement value. In other cases, like your homeowners insurance, the mortgage company may require one or the other, typically replacement value. 

Does Car Insurance Cover Tornado Damage?

Yes, your vehicle is covered for damage after a tornado, as long as you have comprehensive coverage. This coverage is an optional coverage that you can add to your policy that covers events that fall into the category of "other than collision." 

In Illinois, drivers are required to have a minimum amount of liability coverage. All other car insurance options are optional. However, liability coverage will not protect you if you're in an at-fault accident or if an unexpected event causes damage to your vehicle. Comprehensive coverage helps pay for repairs and damage from events like severe storms, falling objects, hitting a wild animal, and other similar events. 

An agent can help you secure comprehensive coverage on your Illinois auto insurance policy.

Is Illinois Tornado Insurance Coverage Expensive?

Since tornado coverage is worked into your home insurance, you can get an idea of how much it'll cost by knowing the average home insurance cost. However, individuals who live in high-risk areas can opt to get more coverage and that could increase the price. 

The average cost of home insurance in Illinois is $1,056.

In addition to being at high risk of a tornado, there are multiple other factors that impact insurance rates.

• Value of the home and property
• Value of the property inside the home
• Location of the home
• Local crime rates
• Age of the home
• Structure of the home
• Installed safety measures
• Amount of coverage
• Claim history

Tornado coverage can be very affordable depending on where you live in Illinois. An independent insurance agent will help you shop coverage options and save you money where they see opportunity.

Why Work with an Illinois Independent Insurance Agent?

Since tornado insurance is worked into standard home and auto insurance policies, it's easy to overlook. But when you live in a state like Illinois, it's helpful to understand the risks you face and how your insurance can help. This way you're prepared for an event before it happens.

An Illinois independent insurance agent understands home and auto insurance and what you need to be fully protected against severe weather events. Agents have built relationships with a network of insurance companies and know which carriers have the best blend of coverage and price for policies. Agents will guide you in selecting coverage that protects your most valuable assets, and helps you start rebuilding your home and your life after an unexpected event.