Water damage: Do you think I am covered?

[kate554]

What is the name of your state? Missouri

We had a big rain Sat. night and one of the rooms in my house partially flooded. This ruined the wood laminate floor - a 12' x 5' section is warped and the pad underneath is wet and mildewing. I am not sure if only part of the floor can be replaced or the whole thing has to go because of potential mold.

The cause was a blocked downspout, causing the water to cascade over the gutter and flood that room. The room was previously a garage and is 5" lower than the rest of the house if that matters. I have lived here for 5 months with no previous water damage and many storms larger than the one we had Saturday.

My ins policy states that they do not cover: (edited for brevity) "Flood, surface water, water below the surface of the ground which leaks or seeps through a building or foundation"

Do you think I am covered? It wasn't a true flood, and it wasn't surface water before it poured out of the gutter. I am afraid to call my insurance company, because even if I decide not to file a claim, I was told that some companies keep track of every time you call and that goes against you anyway. Is that true?

My deduct. is $1K, but if I have to replace the entire floor I estimate it will cost 4K, which I can't afford. I don't mind the warping because I can cover it with a rug, but I am worried about future mold.

The policy is with Safeco, and I've been with them for 16 years for car and homeowners. (15 1/2 years in previous home.) I had a roof claim on my old homeowner's policy, in 2002. I have 2 claims on my car, hail in 2001 and an accident in 2005. (Not sure if they look at both together.)What is the name of your state?

 

[moburkes]

I'd call them. If you'd like, and you have an agent, call the agent first, instead of calling the 800# for claims. That way, you can ASK the agent what they think, and the claim won't be logged. But, if you inquire through an 800# (the call center), then it will definitely be logged.

 

[kate554]

Thank you moburkes! I really do love my agent - he has given me very good advice in the past regarding making claims. I only found out recently that simply calling could count against you. I am glad to hear that if I call my agent direct it will not count.

 

[kate554]

I just talked to my agent and I am not covered. The water problem was caused by a maintenance issue, so it was my fault. I guess I can understand that.

FOR OTHERS WHO ARE READING THIS:

My agent does not work directly for a specific insurance agency. He offers insurance from many companies, so he does not have to notify anyone about my call.

He said that agents who work directly for a company are usually obligated to report inquiry calls as a claim, regardless of whether a claim is actually filed.

 

[Job_Hunting]

Kate--

Very interesting. I live on the other side of the river in IL and that storm affected us also. We pulled up our carpet and parts of the wall, and sure enough, the mold has begun already--from previous storms.

I do not know yet if our insurance will cover it, but I'm glad I read this post. I will call my AGENT, not the claim center, first and see.

Unfortunatley, we're looking at rebuilding a wall, replacing floor AND parts of the roof that has obviously got some damage somewhere. How nice.

 

[Betty]

Kate--

Very interesting. I live on the other side of the river in IL and that storm affected us also. We pulled up our carpet and parts of the wall, and sure enough, the mold has begun already--from previous storms.

I do not know yet if our insurance will cover it, but I'm glad I read this post. I will call my AGENT, not the claim center, first and see.

Unfortunatley, we're looking at rebuilding a wall, replacing floor AND parts of the roof that has obviously got some damage somewhere. How nice.

I live on the other side of the river also - no damage to our house --- but sure was a lot of huge trees & big tree limbs down in the area wasn't there!
Most homeowner policies do not pay for (exclude) coverage for any kind of water damage at or below ground level - flood, seepage, sewer backup . . .(though you can buy for an extra cost an endorement to cover this peril & you can also get flood ins. from the fed. government through just about any ins. agt.)

 

[ecmst12]

I thought you can only get the government flood insurance if you live in a flood-prone area?

 

[moburkes]

I thought you can only get the government flood insurance if you live in a flood-prone area?

Everybody is flood-prone. Flood is simply water in a place that it shouldn't be in. Too much rain can cause a flood. You don't have to be near an ocean, or lake, or river, etc.

As long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you're eligible to purchase flood insurance. To find out if your community participates, check the Community Status Book on FEMA.gov.

 

[xylene]

I thought you can only get the government flood insurance if you live in a flood-prone area?

You can get flood insurance.

It is mandatory within the defined flood plain.

This would not have helped the OP with her clogged gutter.