FEMA (The Federal Emergency Management Agency) defines flood damage as being a temporary and general condition where two acres or more of land that is normally dry or two properties are more that are inundated by mudflow or water. If you are a homeowner it is important to understand this definition, because your insurance policy might not protect you from all forms of water damage suffered by your property. Sudden surges of rainwater, sewage backups, and water from a hurricane might cause flooding on your property. However, as we will be discussing below, not all of those conditions will be defined as flood damage by insurers. While a claim is being processed those distinctions become very important when the insurance company decides what is and is not covered by your insurance policy.
How is Flood Damage Different From Other Forms of Water Damage?
Although your house can be affected by other forms of water damage, insurance companies are very specific in terms of what they consider to be flood damage. Some of the most common water-related damage categories arise from a hurricane or storm, sudden discharge, or water/sewage backup. By contrast, mud falling in a mudslide isn’t considered to be flood damage. On the other hand, flood insurance does cover mudflow – like those that originate from rivers nearby.
Those distinctions can become very nuanced. The best course of action to take is to determine what hazards pose the highest risks within your area and then talk to an insurance agent about them to ascertain what will and will not be covered under an insurance policy.
Flood – damage that occurs when a piece of land of two acres or more becomes inundated by mudflow or water. Flood insurance is the type of insurance that is needed.
Sudden water discharge – Your house or the immediate surrounding area is affected by a sudden water event (e.g. activation of a sprinkler system). Renters or homeowner’s insurance is needed.
Water/Sewer Backup – Water damage that results from water underground that features leaking. The insurance that is needed is Water Backup and Special Coverage insurance.
Hurricane/Storm Natural weather events that have strong winds and heavy rainfall. Renters/Homeowners Insurance covers damage if the water does not cover more than 2 acres of land that is normally dry.
Flood Damage vs Accident or Sudden Discharge
The definition of a sudden discharge of water is a water event that affects the immediate surrounding area or your home in a short period of time. It does not cover over into being considered a flood unless more than two acres of land is affected. Any accidental water overflow from the fire protection, air conditioning, heating, or plumbing system is normally covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policies. Accidental Discharge examples include the following:
– Leaking roof
– Frozen pipes
– Accidental bulging, burning or cracking of an AC, heating, or steam system
– Automatic fire protection system goes off
– Water damage from putting out a fire
If your neglect has caused the discharge, then your homeowner’s insurance policy will not pay on a claim. For instance, if the pipes of your house freeze because you did not maintain them adequately, then your claim might be denied by your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Water or Sewer Backup Vs. Flood Damage
If your house floods due to a water or sewage backup, then the damages will not be covered by most homeowner’s and flood insurance policies. To be covered, you will need to buy separate coverage in the form of an add-on for your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Having backup coverage does not protect you against damage that is caused by an in-ground swimming pool that is leaking or another subsurface feature that is on your property. Water and sewer backup coverage act in the same way where the backup originates from. If the water comes from past your property, like a pipe that the city maintains, then your insurance company will not cover it unless you buy special coverage that we discussed above.
Hurricane/Storm Damage vs Flood Damage
In heavy rainfall situations, flooding is common if the water is unable to drain properly. These conditions are often created by storms and hurricane damage. However, some flooding that results from hurricane winds and storms can be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. The distinction will depend on when the damage takes place.
If your windows or roof are damaged from strong winds in a storm and cause your home to be flooded by rainwater, your claim should be covered by your homeowner’s policy. However, as the floodwaters rise and time passes, any damage that results from groundwater requires you to have a flood insurance policy. According to FEMA’s definition, as soon as two acres or more of land that is normally dry or two properties are inundated by mudflow or water, flood status will be triggered.
Mold Damage and Flood Insurance
Insurance companies only cover mold damage if the original water damage source that caused it will be covered by your insurance policy. For example, if the flood results in mold growth, and you do not have flood insurance, then your insurance company won’t pay for the mold damage.
If you have flood insurance, then the damage that arises from mildew or mold will be covered as long as a flooding event caused it. Before the flooding, if your house had mildew or mold, then your flood insurance policy won’t pay for the damage. Policyholders are expected to take reasonable actions to eliminate or reduce mold following a flood by the National Flood Insurance Program. If it is found that the mold was caused by the homeowner’s negligence, the insurer can deny the claim. The following are considered to be reasonable actions: applying mildicide or applying drying-out techniques in the days after the flood has occurred.
How Long Does It Take For a Flood to Dry Out?
It is a very frustrating experience to have to deal with the aftermath of a building or home that has flooded. After the problem is identified and the debris and water are removed, the next step is to dry out the area.
It is critical to dry out a building that is flooded since damp materials can be favorable breeding grounds for fungi and mold. To ensure that your building or house is thoroughly dry, professionals should handle the process.
– Air Drying: This method can be used in a flood that affects a small area, and water didn’t soak into the material for very long. In areas with high humidity, air drying isn’t a viable method. Usually, that method takes the longest to thoroughly dry.
– Fans/Forced Air: Built-in forced air systems may be used by buildings affects by the flood, or fans might be used to circulate air.
– Dehumidifiers: Using dehumidifiers is the most effective and fastest way to dry an area out. When moisture is removed from surrounding materials and the air, it is the best way to ensure effective and safe drying. Although flood is very inconvenient it doesn’t need to be a continuous problem. Throughout drying a flood out can take from twelve hours up to a couple of weeks, depending on how large the flood is and the drying method that is used.
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