Better grab your floater, we're going to discuss water.

In today's episode, we'll talk about water. Not drinking water, but more particularly on water damage to your property, its difference between water backup and flood damage, and what does your flood insurance policy cover?

The Flood Insurance Guru Podcast | Episode 9 | The Difference in Water Damage, Water Backup, and Flood Damage

Water Damage & Water Backup

This is specifically on regular water damage. Water damage is defined as any loss caused by water impacting the structure, material, or system of your property. For example, this can be a slow leak in your roof that which builds over time and eventually creates mold growth in your wall. This damage should and will be covered by your standard homeowners insurance through wind and hail deductible.

The Flood Insurance Guru Podcast | Episode 9 | The Difference in Water Damage, Water Backup, and Flood Damage

Water backup on the other hand is any type damage caused by water that's backing up or any water discharge from your drainage, sewer, or septic system which comes to your house. It may sound gross and it is, but this happens commonly across the country. Damages from sump pump failures are also part of this classification or even a broken water supply and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Note that this will only get covered if you have it listed with your homeowners insurance policy.

The Flood Insurance Guru Podcast | Episode 9 | The Difference in Water Damage, Water Backup, and Flood Damage

Both of these won't be covered under your flood insurance policy. So what is flood damage exactly?

Flood Damage

This type of damage is obviously caused by flooding, but what is "flooding"? Flood or flooding is when your property or building is inundated or overwhelmed by water that's coming from outside your home going into inside your home. Getting your home flooded because there's a malfunction on your washing machine or your dishwasher broke and started leaking won't be considered as flooding. This doesn't immediately take effect though since there should be at least two properties or two acres impacted by flood water. 

Most common flooding occur when there's a drastic rise on water from rivers or storm surge for those who are living close to or inside coastal areas. We've seen this film before and nobody liked the ending since such floods create devastating damage to properties, businesses, and contents alike. 

The Flood Insurance Guru Podcast | Episode 9 | The Difference in Water Damage, Water Backup, and Flood Damage

A common misconception that can hurt your wallet significantly is through seepage from basements. This is not considered water backup or flood damage, so it won't be covered by your homeowners insurance policy and your flood insurance policy. This is something you strictly have to pay out of pocket.

It's important to understand the differences of the type of water damage to your property to better understand when your homeowners or flood insurance will start to kick in. These really depends on what you have in your homeowners insurance since there are rare cases where water damage is cover, some are not, and a lot of homeowners presume that water backup is automatically covered, but then they realize that it wasn't listed.

 

Remember, if you got questions on flood damage, flood risks, flood zones, and what your flood insurance will cover, please reach out to us by clicking on the links below and learn more:


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