We may see a lot of snow here in Wisconsin, but we also see a lot of water. From torrential rains to rapidly melting snow, sometimes surface water accumulates too quickly, overflowing creeks and rivers. When groundwater flows over your foundation and into your home, it can wreak havoc on its structure and your belongings. Even though the house is still standing, just a few inches of water can cost tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.
Due to the cost of flood-related losses and the widespread damage when a flood occurs, homeowners insurance does not cover it. Fortunately the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP, provides flood insurance, and coverage can be effective in as little as 30 days.
If you are unsure of the flood hazards in and around your home, the National Flood Insurance program offers an animated flood risk scenario generator to help you identify your risks. You can also visit the Flood Map Service Center from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to view the flood zones in your area and assess your risk. The NFIP uses these maps to determine the price you will pay for coverage. If you live outside a high-risk area, you may qualify for preferred rates on structural and contents coverage. Contact us here at Lillie-Couch Insurance for more information and to request your flood insurance quotes.
Other Types of Water Damage
Floods are not the only way water can get into your home. In fact, there are many hazards inside your home that could contribute to a water-related loss. Fortunately, homeowners insurance covers many of those damages, including sudden and accidental overflow or discharge of water. Do not hesitate to contact an agent at our office if you need to file a claim for a burst pipe or a bathtub that has overflowed in your upstairs bathroom. In these cases, homeowners insurance will typically pick up the repair costs minus your deductible.
Of course, there are some things besides flooding your homeowners insurance will not pay for. Typically, this includes damages caused by poor home maintenance. If you have had a long, slow roof leak, your insurer may not cover damages caused to the inside of your home since you did nothing to address the pre-existing damage that caused it.
Sewer and Water Backup
One of the most common causes of water damage in a home is water or sewer backup. When this occurs, wastes that normally flow away from your home instead flow back into it. There are many different reasons this could happen, some of which include:
- Collapsed pipeline
- Invasive tree roots inside your pipeline
- Drain blockages
- Combined pipe systems that mix sewage and storm water drainage together
Raw sewage can cause significant damage to your structure and belongings, not to mention a health hazard that makes your home uninhabitable. Though standard homeowners insurance does not cover sewer and water backup, you can talk to an agent here at Lillie-Couch Insurance about adding a sewer and water backup endorsement to your homeowners insurance policy.
Do you have a sewer and water backup endorsement on your homeowners insurance policy?
