Storm Damage And Insurance

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage caused by flooding is not covered by homeowners or renters policies because it is considered a gradual event rather than sudden or accidental. As a rule of thumb, if the water first touches the ground before entering your home, it is considered flood damage. Other examples of gradual water damage include: Water seeping though the foundation. Mold, rot or corrosion. Slow plumbing leaks that cause damage over time. Leaks stemming from clear negligence (disrepair of the roof, plumbing, windows, etc.) There are some instances when your average homeowners insurance will cover flood damage. For example, if a tree falls on your home during a storm causing heavy rains to damage the inside, this may be covered because it's a "sudden" event and the flooding did not come from the ground. Damage stemming from burst or faulty pipes, water damage that occurred while extinguishing a house fire, roof leaks or a damaged HVAC system could all potentially be covered as long as willful neglect isn't found to be the initial cause. Discerning the differences between normal flood damage and hurricane damage can be confusing. During a tropical storm, waters often rise so quickly that draining systems cannot keep up. Once more than two acres are "inundated with water", FEMA considers it a flood. The only time homeowners insurance will cover hurricane damage is if the storm itself was the reason for the flooding. For instance, if the storm broke a window and caused your home to flood. Conversely, if the damage was incurred due to a gradual buildup of groundwater, you will need flood insurance.