Flood damage?

Question

my sister lost about everything in her basement cause of a flood, the insurance wont pay cause they said its an act of god, and are not responsible for it. is this right for them to do? is there a website or anything that has info

Answer 1

I agree with the other two answers but will add that many homeowners policies also include sewer/drain backup coverage, generally limited to $5k to $10k.  

Often its impossible to determine that all damage was simply as a result of the flood(entrance of water from the surface) or because the basement drains(ie. washing machine or sump pump) were overworked & as such kicked water back into the basement.  If this coverage exists you could argue drain backup and obtain a minimal amount of coverage.

Answer 2

if she has only a homeowners policy then no they will not cover flood.  no home policy does, in fact they specifically EXCLUDE flood.  she would need a flood policy.

Answer 3

My daughter and granddaughter live in southern WI and they lost everything in the floods. There is no coverage under the homeowners policy for any ground water or flood damage.

No need to get mad at the insurance company. Every word, clause and exclusion of the insurance policy is approved by the state your sister lives

Also, I can't believe that the adjuster would deny the claim saying it "was an act of god" that is not a valid denial.  It doesn't change the outcome, but it isn't a valid denial.

Good Luck to your sister

Answer 4

"act of god" has nothing to do with it.

Hail, wind, fire....are also acts of god.

The insurance won't pay because Flood is specifically excluded in the homeowners policy. There is coverage only for flood if you purchase a flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP).  All Flood policies have a 30 waiting period. You can't wait until the river is about to crest and run out and buy a flood policy.

Answer 5

If you mean homeowner's insurance, that is correct.  It excludes flood coverage.  You have to carry separate federal flood insurance.

Answer 6

That's simply not true.  Insurance policies don't refer to "act of God", ever.  I've never seen one.  

Homeowners policies don't cover flood.  Clearly, she didn't buy a flood policy.

If you buy a cat, you don't get a dog.  She didn't insure for flood.    Yes, it's right for them to not give her something she didn't pay for.

And if she doesn't go out tomorrow, and buy a flood policy, then the NEXT time it happens, she shouldn't be surprised.

Answer 7

Most of the time even if you have flood insurance personal items and structure of the basement will not be covered anyways. You are pretty beat on this one