Although this blog has previously noted that standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not generally provide flood coverage, we hear from many people that only learn this tough lesson after it is too late. This blog post provides important information every consumer needs to know about flood coverage.
Can you wait until a storm or other situation arises where flooding is a possibility before obtaining flood insurance?
Flood insurance policies include waiting periods that are designed to prevent people from manipulating actuarial tables by purchasing coverage when weather forecasts make the possibility of such a loss more likely. To recover for damage caused by flooding, coverage must be in place for 30 days prior to the date of loss.
Are you out of luck if you do not have flood insurance when your basement fills with water?
False assumptions based on the everyday use of the word “flood” often lead people to assume that they have no recourse to deal with standing water in the lower level of a home. However, the term flooding involves a specialized meaning within the context of insurance coverage. If the standing water in the basement or lower floor of the house is the product of a faulty water heater or burst pipe, these claims often will be covered under a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. If the same water covering the flooring of your basement or bottom level of your home is the product of a storm, this water damage generally will not be covered by standard homeowner’s policies.
Is there a significant risk of storm-related flood damage in Miami or the surrounding areas?
During the preceding five years, every state in the U.S. has experienced flooding of some sort. In many cases, damage was caused by flash flooding, which generates walls of water that can be a dozen feet high or higher.
Do you need flood insurance if you do not live in a flood zone?
Although many people assume that they are not at risk if they do not live in flood zones, approximately twenty percent of all floods occur outside of areas identified by the National Flood Insurance Program as high risk. Approximately a third of insurance payouts are for flooding in areas that are not considered high risk areas.
Why do you need flood insurance?
The risk of experiencing a flood is more significant than many people recognize. Most people would not consider foregoing fire insurance, but the risk of flood damage is much greater. The probability that a homeowner will have their residence damaged by fire is only 9 percent whereas the risk of flood damage is 26 percent.
What is the typical value of a flood claim?
The average amount of a flood claim is a staggering $42,000, so homeowners take a very significant risk if they do not secure flood insurance.
You can reach Miami Insurance Claims Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at [email protected].
