How Can I Ensure I Am Covered for Flood Damage?
You may have heard the phrase “April showers” at least once in your lifetime. Well, this reference is fairly accurate. As winter turns to spring, the warmer air can hold more moisture. When this warmer air collides with the colder winter air, convection occurs and subsequently the formation of rain clouds. While you may not have to know the exact science behind it, all you need to know is that heavy rainfall, and therefore heavy flooding, is more than likely in your residential area. This is the perfect opportunity to reevaluate your homeowner’s insurance policy and confirm your protection from this potentially poor inclement weather. Without further ado, please continue reading to learn whether you are covered for flood damage and how one of the New York residential flood damage insurance attorneys at The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg, P.C. can work to protect or recover your property.
What can I do to ensure I am covered for flood damage to my residential property?
You must understand that your general homeowner’s insurance policy generally does not cover water and flood damage. There are very limited exceptions to this, such as if this water damage was caused by wind-driven rain or rain through intrusion, or if this water damage was undoubtedly not caused by a flood, as defined by your specific policy. With that, we usually advise your clients to opt for a separate policy for flood protection through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFID). If you do so, a standard flood policy through this program may cover up to $250,000 worth of damage to your home and garage, particularly repairing or replacing your furnace, water heater, and air conditioner; removing mildew, mold, and fungus in your carpeting and tile; and the cost of debris clean-up.
What tips should I follow before bringing my flood damage claim forward?
It is in your best interest to secure additional coverage for flood damage well before heavy rainfall and flooding are predicted in your residential area. This is simply because your opted policy may take up to 30 days to go into effect. Once this flood and subsequent property damage unfortunately happens, you should bring your insurance claim forward sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, your property may incur further deterioration. With this, the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim may question whether the flooding caused less damage originally, and even accuse you of exaggerating or padding your claim. Ultimately, they may minimize your payout or deny your claim outright.
All of this to say, the time to act is now. Please pick up the phone or message us at The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg, P.C. Surely, one of the skilled New York residential property damage claim attorneys on our team will have the perfect tips for dealing with an insurance claim.
