Wind-Only Insurance on the Alabama Coast & the AIUA, Explained

"Wind-only insurance" confuses coastal homeowners because it sounds like half a policy. In a sense it is — deliberately. On the Alabama coast, splitting wind coverage into its own policy is sometimes the smartest, and occasionally the only, way to get a home fully insured.

Need wind coverage sorted out? Start at uraquotes.com or call 251-333-4750. We will review it and get back to you.

What wind-only insurance is

A wind-only policy covers damage from windstorms and hail — most importantly hurricanes and named storms — and nothing else. It exists for homes whose main homeowners policy excludes wind, which is common near the water in Baldwin County. You carry two policies that fit together:

• A standard homeowners policy covering fire, theft, liability, and non-wind perils, with wind excluded
• A wind-only policy covering the wind/hail peril, usually with a percentage hurricane deductible

Together they equal full coverage. Separately, either one alone leaves a hole.

When wind-only makes sense

• Your carrier excludes wind on coastal homes, but you want to keep them for everything else
• The combined price (homeowners-excluding-wind + wind-only) beats the all-in quotes available
• You're buying a home and the only workable placement the week of closing is a split stack
• Your lender requires wind coverage your current policy doesn't provide

The AIUA: Alabama's wind insurer of last resort

The Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association (AIUA) is a state-created association that provides wind and hail coverage for properties in Alabama's coastal areas when owners can't obtain wind coverage in the voluntary market. Key things to know:

• AIUA coverage is placed through a licensed insurance agent — there's no direct-to-consumer application.
• It covers wind and hail perils only, and pairs with a homeowners policy from a regular carrier for everything else.
• Eligibility, limits, and pricing depend on the property and current AIUA rules — anyone quoting you specifics without seeing your home is guessing.

Private wind-only carriers also write on the Alabama coast for many homes, and for those homes a private placement may offer broader terms than the AIUA. Shopping both routes is the job.

Watch the deductible — twice

With a split stack you have two deductibles to understand: your homeowners policy's standard deductible for non-wind claims, and the wind policy's hurricane deductible, typically a percentage of insured value. When a storm damages your home, knowing which deductible applies to which damage — before the storm — is worth real money and stress.

Frequently asked questions

Is wind-only insurance cheaper than regular homeowners insurance?

It's not comparable one-to-one — wind-only covers only wind/hail, so it must be added to a homeowners policy to equal full coverage. The right comparison is total combined premium vs. an all-in single policy quote.

Can I buy AIUA wind coverage myself online?

No. AIUA policies are placed through licensed agents. An agent verifies eligibility, values, and pairs the wind policy correctly with your homeowners coverage.

Does my mortgage company allow a split wind placement?

Generally yes, provided the combined coverage meets the lender's requirements for the full replacement value and required perils. Lenders mainly need proof both policies are bound before closing — another reason to start early.

What if I don't know whether my current policy includes wind?

Check your declarations page for a wind exclusion or a separate hurricane deductible line — or bring the dec page to us. A Coastal Clarity Review™ reads your current stack and tells you plainly what's covered and what's not.

Get the stack right

Start at uraquotes.com or call 251-333-4750. Alabama agents, serving Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley and statewide across Alabama. Licensed in AL, FL & MS.

Related: Homeowners Insurance in Orange Beach, AL · Homeowners Insurance in Gulf Shores, AL