Water Damage Insurance Claims vs Flood Insurance Claims

When water causes damage in your home, should you file a water damage insurance claim or a flood claim? 

Water contains dissolved oxygen and is therefore corrosive in nature.  The rate of corrosion depends on factors including the water’s pH level, electrical conductivity, oxygen concentration, temperature, and amount of water present.

Broken pipes, overflowing bathtubs, busted toilets, burst water mains, damaged washing machine hoses and flash floods are an example of incidents which cause water damage; there are many ways water can cause expensive damage to your home. Residential homeowner insurance does not include damage from the peril of Flood; however, unless excluded, home insurance usually does offer coverage against Water damage. When the damage occurs, your first step is to determine whether you have a water damage insurance claim or a flood insurance claim.

Although they sound similar, water damage and flood damage are radically different insurance terms. If your home has been damaged by water, here’s how to determine if you need to file a flood insurance claim or a water damage claim.

Flood and water claim distinctions 

The difference between a water damage claim and a flood claim is best distinguished by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood definition.

Flood definition

A flood is defined as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres and two or more properties of normally dry land. Flood damage can only be caused by the following water sources:

• Overflow of inland or tidal waters
• Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source
• Mudflow
• Collapse of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above

If the water causing damage in your home is coming from any of these sources, you are probably dealing with flood damage and will need to file a flood damage insurance claim with your flood insurance provider.

Water damage definition

Simply put, the main difference between a flood claim and a water damage claim is where the water comes from. Flood damage is generally comprised of rising exterior water which comes from a natural source. If the water damage is caused by a broken interior plumbing fixture, you most likely have a water damage claim with your home insurance provider. The insurance carrier will offer you an official determination once the claim is filed.

Stay protected from flood and water damage

Homeowners Insurance companies do not offer flood insurance, therefore only property owners with flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program can file flood damage insurance claims. If you do not currently have flood insurance, but you are concerned about your risk of flood damage, learn more about purchasing flood insurance and filing flood claims at www.floodsmart.gov.

If you are dealing with water in your house but your neighbor doesn’t have any issues, you are most likely dealing with a water damage claim. Start filing a water damage insurance claim by contacting your home insurance company.

If you have any questions about your home’s current protection from water damage, be sure to call your insurance company to discuss your concerns.