Damage to your building or personal property that was a direct result of a flood may be covered by your flood insurance policy.
The National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) legally defines a flood as: A general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow.
Important to note: Damages caused by a sewer backup are covered if the backup is a direct result of flooding. If the backup is caused by any other problem, the damages are not covered.
Below is some general guidance on flood insurance coverage:
What is covered under BUILDING PROPERTY coverage?
- The insured building and its foundation
- The electrical and plumbing systems
- Central air-conditioning equipment, furnaces, and water heaters.
- Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances such as dishwashers.
- Permanently installed carpeting over an unfinished floor.
- Permanently installed paneling, wallboard, bookcases, and cabinets.
- Window blinds.
- A detached garage (up to 10 percent of Building Property coverage); detached buildings (other than detached garages) require a separate Building Property policy.
- Debris Removal
What is covered under PERSONAL PROPERTY coverage?
- Personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment.
- Curtains.
- Portable and window air conditioners.
- Portable microwave ovens and portable dishwashers.
- Carpets not included in building coverage (see above)
- Clothes washers and dryers
- Food freezers and the food in them
- Certain valuable items such as original artwork and furs (up to $2,500)
What is not insured under either Building Property or Personal Property coverage? - Damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner (Duty of Care)
- Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates.
- Property and belongings outside of a building such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, decks, patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools.
- Living expenses such as temporary housing
- Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of insured property.
- Most self-propelled vehicles such as cars, including their parts.
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