Flood Damage Claims
Flood damage is one of the worst cases of natural disaster because they destroy property and can cause severe damage to large geographic regions. They can disrupt the local economy and pose life-threatening risks. Unfortunately, not all insurance companies fully cover flood damage due to the limitations of the policy you entered, or they attempt to reduce the amount of compensation owed, leaving you with limited options. To get the compensation you need to recover damages for flooding, you can speak with a dedicated insurance claims attorney representing your case fairly. They can fight for your life to receive maximum compensation. You can call Florida Home Claim for a free consultation today.
What are the damages caused by a flood?
Floods cause about 90% of all property damage in natural disasters. These catastrophic events also bring a variety of other safety hazards, which include the following:
Property Damage
Floods cause structural damage to buildings, weakening infrastructures and destroying windows. They can tear down bridges, break down roads, cause landslides, and damage crops.
Health and Safety Risks
In addition to property damage, floods can also create health risks. For example, they can cause drinking water to become contaminated, create defects in sewage and drainage systems, and cause sanitary problems due to the standing water that’s left behind. There is also the risk of electrical hazards when wires come loose in a flood and run a current through the water that can electrocute anyone nearby.
Life Hazard
One of the main causes of death by a weather-related disaster is a flash flood. They have historically killed people, pets, wild animals, livestock, along with leaving a wake of destruction its path.
Hardship
After a terrible flood, the victims can go through a cacophony of emotions such as depression, anxiety, deep fear, grief, anger, and more. This can cause problems with relationships, mental health, and other outcomes due to psychological trauma.
Economic Loss
If insurance companies don’t cover the water damage caused by flooding, there can be expensive financial deficits. Flooding can cause billions of dollars annually, and even for an individual house, the costs can still be astronomical.
What does flood damage mean?
Flood damage occurs when water is deep enough to destroy property after heavy rain. The rain must be heavy enough to cause an excess of water that affects two or more acres of land. A sewer backup can also be considered flooding if heavy rain is the cause.
What does flood damage do to a house?
Floods can cause structural damage to houses, which include causing floors to cave in and weakening roofs. They can also cause cracks in the foundation of a house. Other problems include destroying the electrical wiring in homes.
What damage does flood insurance cover?
Standard insurance coverage doesn’t include flood damage. Flood insurance typically covers some damage from rain, but if a lake, river, stream, or other body of water overflows onto your property, then this won’t be compensated for. A majority of flood insurance is purchased from the National Flood Insurance Program. If you happen to be in a Special Hazard Flood Area, you must buy a policy before you qualify for the mortgage. For example, one policy can cover your actual home for up to $250,000, and another policy can cover your personal property for up to $100,000.
How are damages for flooding determined and covered?
For flood damage coverage, your actual losses are determined. An appraiser is sent out to determine how much physical damage was caused and the cost it took to repair that damage. Damages that can be covered include medical and dental expenses, emergency home repairs, temporary housing, and more.
What is considered flood damage for insurance?
With flood insurance, losses caused by flooding are included in the policy coverage plan. In general, if there is an excess of water on a parcel of land that is typically dry and the water impacts two or more acres of land, this can be considered flooding.
What Can I Do If I Have Flood Damage?
After your home has been flooded, you should make sure you have moved to a safe and dry location and reassess your losses after you’re in a non-hazardous environment. Stay away from any moving water and damaged areas. Only emergency workers should be working in flooded areas. When the flooding has gone again, you should wait until emergency workers check your home before you can enter it again. Then you can review the damages and take pictures of the devastation. To make sure that you get an accurate estimation of your flood damages, you can speak to a representative who has your best interests at heart. Call Florida Home Claim now for a free consultation.
