Is a Flooded Basement Covered by Insurance?
11/9/2022 (Permalink)
Basement Flooding and Insurance Coverage
If a pipe bursts in your basement and floods your home, this is considered a water loss, which is covered by your homeowner’s insurance. However, if the pipes burst because of negligence or neglect on your part (like leaving a faucet running) then this might not be covered under most policies.
Basement flooding may also be covered if it was caused by an outside source like heavy rains or even certain types of natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes.
Another thing to keep in mind when dealing with basement flooding: some damage isn't always obvious right away—and sometimes it can be very expensive to fix! For example, mold can develop after a flood has occurred—and this can cause serious issues for anyone living in that environment long-term.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Basement Flooding?
There are several things you can do to keep the water out of your basement. One way is to install a backwater valve, which prevents floodwaters from backing up through your sewer lines into your basement during heavy rains or flooding. Another option is to install a sump pump in your basement floor, which will pump out any water that seeps in through cracks and crevices in the walls; this is especially helpful if you live near a river or lake and have experienced flooding before. A third option is updating any drains or pipes around your home, so they don't leak when there's heavy rain; it's also important to make sure that any drain covers are sealed properly so no water leaks out from underneath them.
What Should You Do If You're Not Covered?
If you have not been covered by your insurance company, or if you have and they will only cover a portion of the repair costs, it's time to call in the professionals.
You should start by contacting a flood restoration company to see what their services would cost and whether they can help with any other parts of your home that may have been damaged during this event.
It's important to note here that while there are companies out there willing to take on water damage jobs at low rates, these contractors may not be licensed or insured professionals who can deliver quality results. You want someone who has extensive experience dealing with different types of insurance claims after major floods as well as experience restoring properties affected by such events, such as SERVPRO of South Garland.
A flood in your basement is bad news, but an insurance policy could save you.
A flooded basement is not just a pain in the neck, it’s also expensive. In addition to all your belongings being destroyed and damaged, you have to pay to have them cleaned and dried out—not to mention pay for repairs on any items that aren’t covered by insurance.
But what happens if your home insurance policy doesn’t cover water damage? Luckily, most policies do offer coverage for flood damages when certain conditions are met. That said, if you want to make sure that your home is protected against any potential flooding incidents going forward then you should consider purchasing additional coverage through a rider or floater policy.
The best way to learn whether your basement flooding was caused by an act of nature or someone else is by talking with an insurance agent or restoration professional who can help guide you through the process.
If the thought of a flooded basement makes you nervous, don’t worry—there are some steps you can take to mitigate the risk. A good first step is to contact your insurance company and ask about flood coverage in case of basement flooding. If they don’t cover this type of loss, see if they have any other suggestions for how to protect your home from water damage during a storm. For example, homeowners can purchase flood insurance through FEMA or their local municipality which will provide them with protection against future flooding events.