Who covers this damage: wind or flood insurance?

[nokomis]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

When Ike hit our home in Galveston the storm surge took out the entry hall and stairs from the ground level to the first level of the home. Note: The house is on pilings and flood insurance covers stairs and a landing at the ground level, then at the first level it is a standard policy.
Once the stairs and entry hall were torn away there was left a large opening in the floor of the first level of the home. Wind driven water and debris entered the home from this opening and damaged flooring, sheetrock and upholstered furniture.

Insurers from both the Windstorm and Flood organizations state this damage to the first level is not covered. Essentially pushing the liability to the other.

My thoughts are that flood should cover the damage as the structure was compromised by the storm surge allowing the water and debris to enter.

Any thoughts from the group?

 

[moburkes]

Let me see if I can get a flood expert from work to answer your question.

 

[infamous_insane]

Where was the water coming from?

Let me see if I have this streight.

ok so... Flood policy covered 1st (ground) floor damage.

The ground floor was wiped out, and left a hole in the floor of the second level?

Additional water damage was sustained via the hole in the floor. which came from outside.

The damage is flood damage. The water hit the ground before causing damage to your home. which is the only way flood is defined.

If your flood policy doesnt cover up past the ground floor, then its not covered. sorry.

Flood.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

When Ike hit our home in Galveston the storm surge took out the entry hall and stairs from the ground level to the first level of the home. Note: The house is on pilings and flood insurance covers stairs and a landing at the ground level, then at the first level it is a standard policy.
Once the stairs and entry hall were torn away there was left a large opening in the floor of the first level of the home. Wind driven water and debris entered the home from this opening and damaged flooring, sheetrock and upholstered furniture.

Insurers from both the Windstorm and Flood organizations state this damage to the first level is not covered. Essentially pushing the liability to the other.

My thoughts are that flood should cover the damage as the structure was compromised by the storm surge allowing the water and debris to enter.

Any thoughts from the group?

**A: I agree with your standpoint but of course the insurance coverage limits of liability prevail.

 

[infamous_insane]

Exactly

 

[nokomis]

Thank you all for your responses.
There is flood insurance for the whole home, it's just limited for the ground floor as described previously. I should not have used the term "standard policy" when describing the first level insurance, it is a flood policy without the limitations perscribed to the ground floor.
What is the next step? I assume I write out my point of view and email it to the flood adjuster. Should I cc anyone else? The state board of insurance grand pooh-bahs? (I can find out who it is). The windstorm adjuster?

Thank you again.