What is a CAT zone?
“CAT” is insurance shorthand for catastrophe. A CAT zone is an area prone to catastrophic weather events. Coastal areas are often prone to hurricanes; other parts of the country face tornadoes, earthquakes or wildfires.
Carriers manage how much exposure they take on in CAT zones. In those areas they may charge more, require higher wind or hurricane deductibles, or stop writing new homes altogether.
Where Lakewood stands
Lakewood sits a comfortable 10-plus miles from the Atlantic coast. Most insurance carriers find Lakewood safe, and treat it like any other inland New Jersey town.
However, parts of Lakewood are less than 10 miles from Barnegat Bay. Some carriers measure distance to any tidal or coastal water, not just the ocean, and a few of them don’t like that.
Why this matters for your home
Because carriers draw their lines differently, two similar homes in Lakewood can get different answers from the same carrier, and the same home can get very different prices from different carriers. Some may apply a hurricane deductible; others won’t.
That is one of the clearest reasons to work with an independent agency. We know which carriers are comfortable with which parts of town, and we compare them for you.
Don’t confuse wind with flood
Being inland for wind purposes doesn’t mean a home can’t flood. Flood is excluded from homeowners policies, and heavy rain affects inland homes too. See our flood insurance guide.
For more on insuring a home in town, see our Lakewood home insurance page.