What Is the Difference Between Storm and Flood Damage?
By definition, a storm is any disturbed state of the natural environment or the atmosphere of an astronomical body. Common types of storms are thunderstorms, snowstorms, hailstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and cyclones. Some of these involve heavy rainfall (i.e., thunderstorms and hurricanes) that lead to flooding. So if your house gets flooded as a result of an intense storm, you may wonder what form of damage to claim to your homeowners’ insurance provider. Continue reading to learn the difference between storm and flood damage and how one of the experienced New York residential storm claim denial attorneys at The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg P.C. can help you recover much-needed money from your insurance.
What is the difference between storm and flood damage, for insurance purposes?
Before all else, you must understand that homeowners’ insurance policies do not use the terms water damage and flood damage interchangeably. On one hand, water damage is damage to the home as a result of a burst pipe, plumbing issue, or especially, heavy rainfall from a storm. For example, wind-driven rain may have entered your home through an opening or intrusion in your roof, subsequently causing damage to your roof and the floors beneath it.
On the other hand, flood damage is damage to the home as a result of a flooding event. For example, there may be flash flooding, sump pump failure, or prolonged roof leaks, subsequently causing damage to your floors, furniture, and more.
This is all to say that heavy rainfall from a storm may cause water damage without necessarily causing flood damage. Now, a standard homeowners’ insurance policy usually covers hurricane, storm, and wind damage. However, it usually does not cover or limits coverage for flood damage.
How do I recover money from my insurance after incurring storm damage?
Since your standard homeowners’ insurance policy may not include flood damage, an insurance adjuster may wrongfully claim that your storm damage is flood damage. This is because, unfortunately, insurance providers are notorious for cutting down their payouts as much as possible, all to meet their bottom line.
So, to avoid this unfortunate fate, you must provide your insurance company with significant evidence showing that a storm’s heavy rainfall indeed caused your home’s damages. This may entail supplementing your insurance claim with proof of where your home is located in relation to the storm’s path. Also, you may supply photos that display other intrusions caused by a wind-driven storm, such as broken windows, fallen trees, or missing roof shingles.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of the skilled New York residential property damage claim attorneys. Schedule your initial consultation with The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg P.C. today.
