It can be challenging to understand homeowner’s insurance coverage for water damage. This type of coverage often has many limitations and exclusions. In fact, the typical homeowner’s policy only covers water damage under very limited circumstances. You may need additional coverage if you live in an area frequently affected by floods or storm surges.
If you are struggling to get the coverage you believe you deserve based on your homeowner’s policy, you may need the help of a Boca Raton property damage lawyer to challenge a denial and fight for the money you need for repairs.
What Types of Water Damage Are Included in Homeowners’ Policies?
Standard homeowners insurance policies only cover water damage under certain circumstances. Coverage depends greatly on the cause of the damage and the details of the specific insurance policy.
Some common situations when your homeowner’s policy may provide water damage coverage include:
- When the damage occurs suddenly and accidentally, such as due to burst pipes or a leaking water heater
- When there is roof damage that allows rain in, often because of a fallen tree
- When a plumbing problem such as a leak, malfunction, or overflow causes the damage
- When a sewer, drain, or sump pump fails and causes water damage
Each policy is unique, and your homeowners insurance company may not pay in all these scenarios. In addition, your policy might have exclusions that could apply even in these situations. For example, if your plumbing problem occurred because of a lack of maintenance, your insurance company might deny your water damage claim.
Most Homeowner’s Insurance Companies Do Not Cover Water Damage From Storms or Floods
Standard home insurance policies generally do not include coverage for water damage from a storm. The only exception is when wind causes a roof leak, which leads to water damage. You will likely need to purchase separate flood or hurricane damage coverage to cover flooding from a hurricane or another storm.
Knowing what is covered after a storm before your home or business suffers damage is essential. This is the only way to protect yourself financially from a storm surge or flooding due to heavy rains since these scenarios typically require additional homeowners insurance coverage. If you live in a designated flood zone—a Special Flood Hazard Area or SFHA—your mortgage company may require you to have a separate flood insurance policy.
Most people obtain this type of insurance coverage from:
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The NFIP is a federal program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It provides flood insurance for homeowners in certain communities, covering homes and their contents. This coverage usually includes flooding from heavy rains, storm surges, and hurricanes.
Private Flood Insurance
Some private insurance providers offer flood insurance policies, too. While they may cost more than NFIP coverage, they may provide higher coverage limits or additional coverage.
Ensuring you understand the coverage available to you based on the circumstances is crucial. You may have a policy for water damage but must review your policies and file your claim correctly, including carefully documenting the cause of your damaged structure and contents.
Knowing your policies and which ones apply under what circumstances can make hurricane damage recovery much easier. For example, you may need to determine which insurance carrier to file a water damage insurance claim with based on the event that damaged your home. Both wind and water damage may be significant during a hurricane. Water damage from a tree falling on the roof would most likely be a homeowner’s insurance claim, while flooding from a storm surge would be a flood insurance claim.
Fight for the Money You Deserve After Water Damage
While insurance typically does not cover flood damage, your homeowners policy may include coverage for a burst pipe or leaking roof. However, you may have to fight for your payout even if damage occurs because of a covered event.
Insurance adjusters may unfairly use exclusions or limitations in your policy to reduce the money the company has to pay you or refuse to pay for your property repairs and replace your destroyed contents.
An insurance bad faith lawyer can help you challenge your insurance carrier if you believe the adjuster is incorrectly denying your claim or refusing to pay you fairly for your covered damages. Most attorneys provide free consultations so you can learn more about your options based on your case’s facts.
How Can I Challenge a Homeowner’s Insurance Denial Based on Water Damage?
Unfortunately, one of the most difficult parts of disaster recovery is sometimes dealing with your insurance carrier and getting the money you need and deserve based on your homeowner’s insurance policy.
If you receive a denial for your water damage claim, you should:
- Carefully review your insurance policy to identify your applicable coverage, exclusions, and conditions.
- Consider the reason the insurance carrier gave for denying your claim to determine if it may be valid.
- Talk to an attorney who handles property damage cases to learn more about your rights and options.
- Collect evidence, such as photos, videos, receipts, and estimates, to support your claim.
- Demonstrate the extent of the damage and why it falls under your covered events.
- Work with contractors, appraisers, and engineers to document the cause and extent of the damage.
- File an appeal with your insurance company and provide the necessary documentation.
- Meet all deadlines set by your insurance carrier.
- Keep records of all communications with your insurance company.
- Follow your lawyer’s advice and guidance; they will handle the appeals process for you.
Discuss Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim With Our Legal Team
Ged Lawyers represents homeowners who struggle with payouts and denials based on their property insurance claims. This is common following water damage. We will review your policy and determine your coverage based on your unique circumstances. Let us help you fight for the money you deserve.
Contact us today to get started. We can handle your claim or appeal while you focus on getting your life back to normal.
