There are few things worse for a homeowner than coming home to find standing water where it shouldn’t be. Although many homeowners purchase flood insurance to protect their property, it may not cover the damage and can lead to a dispute between the homeowner and the insurance company.
Flood insurance
Generally, flood insurance covers items that cause financial loss. Floods can damage the structure of a home, including the floor, walls, roof or foundation, which can all be very costly to repair or replace. The policy may also cover replacement of personal items lost in the flood like furniture, clothes or appliances.
It may cover the cost of repairing plumbing or electrical items that were damaged by the flood, which may include heat and air conditioning, pipes and water heaters, for example. In some situations, the policy may pay for temporary housing or living expenses while the home is repaired.
Challenging a denial
If the homeowner makes a claim for coverage and the insurance company denies it, they should receive a letter explaining the denial reason. They can contact the insurance company for additional information as well. Sometimes, the claim is denied because the insurance company is missing information.
If the discussion with the insurance company is not successful, the homeowner can usually appeal the denial and contact the insurance regulator. In some situations, it may be necessary to go to court to resolve the dispute.
If a homeowner needs assistance to resolve their claim, there is help available.