Homeowners who find their basement or ground floor underwater have more pressing worries than distinguishing between floods, burst pipes, and sewer line backups. They want the water out of their home and the damage cleaned up. When they hire a flood restoration services contractor and make an insurance claim, homeowners should know:
- The source of the water collecting in their home.
- The characteristics of the water.
- The details of the homeowner’s insurance policy.
As the established insurance company NCMIC points out, insurance companies treat flood restoration services differently from other forms of water damage. The water damage restoration specialists at Austin Fire & Flood want homeowners in Great Hills, TX, to have the coverage they need to recover from any disaster.
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Causes of Water Damage
For the purposes of insurance coverage, water damage includes damage from rain and home plumbing. The causes of water damage can include:
- Leaky roofs
- Burst pipes
- Corroded pipes
- Leaky faucets
These sources of water damage have one thing in common. The water comes from the air or the water supply, not groundwater.
How Is Flood Damage Different?
Flood damage occurs when a natural event, such as a hurricane or tropical storm, causes water levels to rise. Flood waters may overcome protective measures such as the sump pump. Consequently, the water can bring bacteria, mold, wastewater, and other contaminants into the home.
Water damage restoration experts distinguish between three categories of water.
- Category 1 water, such as water from a municipal water supply, is free from contaminants when it enters the home.
- Category 2 water, such as wastewater from a toilet, has bacterial, viral, or mold contamination.
- Category 3 water contains high levels of contamination, including toxic waste.
Floods often wash toxic chemicals into residences, spreading Category 3 water damage across entire neighborhoods. Insurance companies protect themselves from many claims for flood restoration services by not covering flood damage.
Insurance Coverage for Water Damage and Flood Damage
Homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage unless the policyholder has a flood insurance policy. The policies will typically cover storm damage caused by wind and rain unless the damage results from heavy rainfall.
What Can Homeowners Do About Flooding?
While flash flooding can occur quickly, homeowners can anticipate their flood risk. They can also take action to limit their need for flood and water damage restoration in the future.
Flood tables identify locations that face higher than normal risk for flooding. If a home is in a floodplain or low-lying area, the owner should consider taking out an insurance policy. The owner should also talk to their insurance provider if they have any questions about what their policy covers.
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Develop a Custom Water or Flood Damage Mitigation Plan with Austin Fire & Flood
Homeowners who need water removal, water damage restoration, and mold abatement in flood restoration services should call Austin Fire & Flood at (512) 912-6814. They will work with customers to create a custom plan. They will also communicate with insurance companies to help homeowners get coverage.
