PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiIHNyYz1odHRwczovL3N0YXRpYy5teWZpbmFuY2UuY29tL3dpZGdldC9teUZpbmFuY2Vfdmlld3BvcnRfZGV0ZWN0aW9uLmpzPjwvc2NyaXB0PjxzY3JpcHQgYXN5bmMgdHlwZT0idGV4dC9qYXZhc2NyaXB0Ij5teWZpV2F0Y2hXaWRnZXQoJ215ZmlXaWRnZXRfMTEnKTtteWZpV2F0Y2hXaWRnZXQoJ215ZmlXaWRnZXRfMTAnKTtteWZpV2F0Y2hXaWRnZXQoJ215ZmlXaWRnZXRfMTEuMScpOzwvc2NyaXB0Pg==Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer who specializes in insurance, with extensive experience in topics such as life insurance, property insurance, car insurance, and health insurance. Her work has appeared in Bankrate, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Investopedia, Insurance.com, Car and Driver, and Money Under 30. You can reach her at rivelli.elizabeth@gmail.com.Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This may influence which products we write about and where those products appear on the site, but it does not affect our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in research.Mobile app users, click here for the best viewing experience.It’s already been an expensive weather year in the U.S., and we’re only halfway through it. Seven separate weather catastrophes have each caused more than $1 billion in damage during the first six months of the year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). On average, between 1980 and 2022, there were 8.1 billion-dollar weather events in the U.S. — which means we’re on track for a particularly brutal 2023.Severe weather outbreaks affect various regions across the U.S., though some areas are higher risk than others. Tornadoes, hurricanes, cold snaps, flooding, and heavy rain have the ability to cause significant damage to commercial buildings and residential properties. While home insurance provides protection for many types of severe weather, some events, like floods and earthquakes, aren’t typically covered. Video above shows damage done by tornadoes in TexasIf you own a home in an area that’s especially vulnerable to severe weather outbreaks, it’s important to make sure you have sufficient home insurance coverage. You might also need to add endorsements to get additional coverage for losses like flood damage. Learn more about the costliest weather events so far in 2023, and how shopping around for a comprehensive home insurance policy can protect you against these losses.The costliest weather disasters so far this yearSo far in 2023, weather events have resulted in a combined $19 billion in losses, as well as almost 100 fatalities. Here’s a rundown of the costliest ones.1. California rainstorms and flooding (January to March)Heavy rain began falling in California in December 2022 and lasted until March 2023. These rainstorms were caused by multiple atmospheric rivers that brought record rainfall and snowfall to many parts of the state. The heavy rainfall caused destructive flooding, which impacted many residential homes, businesses, and agriculture. The rain and flooding caused $3.5 billion in damages, as well as 22 fatalities.2. Northeast winter storm and cold wave (February)In February 2023, a winter storm produced high winds, snow, and extremely cold temperatures across many states in the Northeast. On Mount Washington in New Hampshire, the highest peak in the northeast, weather researchers recorded a wind chill temperature of -108°F, one of the coldest wind chill temperatures recorded in U.S. history. The storm caused $1.6 billion in losses.3. Southern and Eastern severe weather (March)In March 2023, tornadoes and severe storms accompanied by strong winds impacted many states in the Southern and Eastern U.S. These extreme weather events caused significant property damage in states like Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Mississippi, and Alabama. The storms resulted in $4.5 billion in total damages, making it the costliest major weather event so far in 2023. There were also 13 fatalities across the states affected.4. Central tornadoes and Eastern severe weather (March)In March 2023, a series of at least 145 tornadoes hit states in the Central and Eastern regions of the U.S. These tornadoes caused the most damage in states like Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. This was the deadliest major weather event so far in 2023, causing 33 fatalities. The tornadoes also caused $4.3 billion in losses.5. Southern and Eastern severe weather (April)States across the Southern and Eastern parts of the U.S. experienced another major cluster of tornadoes in April 2023. More than 40 tornadoes were recorded in the area, causing widespread damage in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. There was also damage reported in parts of Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. NOAA estimates that the total damage caused by the storm was nearly $2 billion. There were also 23 fatalities.6. Central and Eastern severe weather (April)In April 2023, severe storms were reported across many states in the Central and Southern regions of the U.S. In addition to more than 35 tornadoes, there were also storms that brought high winds and hail to states like Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and Michigan. These tornadoes and other storms caused damage to homes, businesses, cars, and agriculture. The tornadoes resulted in $2.2 billion in damage and caused five fatalities.7. Central and Southern severe weather (April)The seventh costliest storm so far in 2023 also occurred in April, when some states in the Central and Southern U.S. regions experienced extreme hail, windstorms, and tornadoes. The states affected by this weather event were Arkansas, Illinois, Texas, Missouri, Louisiana, and parts of Florida. These storms did not cause any fatalities, but the total damages cost about $1 billion. How home insurance can protect you from severe weatherNo matter where you live, having homeowners insurance is extremely important. Severe weather can occur anywhere in the U.S., including in regions that don’t typically experience natural disasters, like tornadoes or hurricanes. A standard homeowners insurance policy protects against many types of severe weather, including windstorms, hail, and snow. If your house gets damaged or destroyed in a covered weather event, your home insurance company will pay to repair or rebuild your home back to its original condition.Here are the specific coverages that are included with most home insurance policies:Dwelling insurance: Dwelling insurance covers the physical structure of your home, as well as attached structures, like a garage or deck. Most policies also cover built-in appliances and flooring.Personal property insurance: Personal property insurance covers your personal items, like furniture, clothing, electronics, and home decor. However, there’s usually limited coverage for valuable items, like art, jewelry, or collections.Liability insurance: Liability insurance covers your legal and financial responsibilities in the event of a third-party bodily injury or property damage liability claim. Medical payments insurance: Medical payments insurance provides a small amount of coverage for someone’s medical bills if they get injured at your home. This coverage applies even if you were not found responsible for their injuries.Loss of use insurance: If your home gets damaged or destroyed in a covered loss and you have to relocate while repairs are made, loss of use insurance pays for basic living expenses, like hotel fees and restaurant meals. This policy is also called additional living expenses.While home insurance covers many types of weather-related losses, there are certain events that are not covered. Specifically, standard home insurance policies do not include coverage for earthquakes, landslides, or flooding, even after a hurricane or major storm. If you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes or flooding, you can purchase supplemental earthquake insurance or flood insurance. However, these policies also have limitations. For example, flood insurance does not cover mold, and home insurance policies only cover mold under certain circumstances.How to choose the best home insurance policyThere are many insurance companies that sell homeowners insurance, but not all insurers and insurance policies are created equal. Before you purchase home insurance, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are some tips for choosing the best homeowners insurance policy for your situation.Consider your coverage needs: Every homeowner has different requirements. For example, if you live in an area with a high risk of earthquakes or floods, make sure to purchase supplemental flood or earthquake insurance. If you store valuables in your home, like fine jewelry, you might also consider a scheduled personal property endorsement.Read company reviews: Some insurance companies are better than others. Read customer reviews and check third-party ratings from organizations like J.D. Power and AM Best to ensure you’re choosing a reputable insurer.Look for discounts: Most home insurance companies offer discounts. The savings available will depend on the insurer. As you compare home insurance companies, see which discounts are offered and how much money you can save with each.Get multiple quotes: Home insurance rates vary based on your insurance company. Getting personalized rate quotes from several insurers can help you find the cheapest premium for the coverage you want.Bottom lineExtreme weather is not uncommon in many parts of the country. But if you own a home in a high-risk area, it’s particularly important to purchase a robust home insurance policy that provides sufficient protection for your house and belongings.Before getting home insurance, make sure to review the policy details to understand what is and isn’t covered. If there are gaps in your policy, you can usually purchase endorsements for more coverage. It’s also a good idea to shop around and get multiple quotes to find the most affordable policy for your situation. Editorial Disclosure: All articles are prepared by editorial staff and contributors. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the editorial team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in this article is accurate as of the date of the publish. Check the lender’s website for the most current information.This article was originally published on SFGate.com and reviewed by Lauren Williamson, who serves as Financial and Home Services Editor for the Hearst E-Commerce team. Email her at lauren.williamson@hearst.com.