Water Damage vs Flood Damage: What You Need to Know

Oct 26, 2022

Although it sounds like both terms should mean the same thing, flood damage and water damage are decidedly different. And these differences come into play when a homeowner plans to make a claim to his or her insurance company. To keep your assets safe, make sure your insurance plans provide you with the coverage you need for both flood and water damage claims.


Flood Insurance


One major distinction for flood damage is that the repairs are typically not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. Homeowners will have to purchase a separate policy to cover damage caused by rising waters. To be labeled a flood, water must have collected on the ground at some point. Floods are caused by perils such as overflowing rivers, heavy rains, overflow of tidal waters, and mud slides. Another way to decipher if you are dealing with a flood claim is to find out if two or more properties have sustained water damage.


Water Damage


In many home insurance policies, water damage is part of your standard policy. The main distinction from flood insurance is that damage would occur before the water hits the ground. An example of a claim that would fall under water damage is melting snow on the roof caused a cave in. Another water damage incident could include broken windows resulting from high winds that lead heavy rains to soak your flooring. Non-weather events may also be covered under a water damage claim such as a broken pipe found within your home.


If you have any questions about flood damage versus water damage, contact an insurance agent to find out what type of claim you need to file. If your home is located on a flood plain, your agent is likely to recommend you purchase additional flood insurance to reduce your financial risk.


If you're looking for a professional property restoration company, contact MGM Restoration Inc today. 


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