| When you have true flood damage versus water | | | | washing machine in which case, the washer's |
| damage in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, it is important | | | | replacements parts would not be covered by your |
| to know what your insurance policy covers in terms | | | | insurance. |
| of various water flooding scenarios. Your water | | | | Water Damage from Leaky Roof |
| damage claim may be denied due to incorrect | | | | Your insurance would likely cover your water |
| terminology or coding. Be an informed consumer and | | | | damaged Dallas home and furnishings, but would not |
| read your policy carefully. | | | | cover the cost of repairing your roof because that is |
| Insurance companies usually do not cover natural | | | | considered a regular homeowners' maintenance |
| geological events, such as landslides, hurricanes, | | | | responsibility. |
| earthquakes and floods. Insurance companies are | | | | Water Damage from Leaky Pool |
| very specific in their definition of what constituted | | | | Your insurance would cover leaks from your pool |
| flooding. That narrow definition specifies that flooding | | | | that end up damaging and flooding your basement; |
| is an overflow of a natural body of water, such as a | | | | however, if your lawn got damaged in this particular |
| lake or an ocean. | | | | scenario, the lawn would not be covered. |
| Water damages occur when water gets into your | | | | Water Damages Not Covered by Insurance |
| Dallas Fort Worth home other than through the | | | | What water flooding emergency situations would not |
| overflowing of a body of water. Depending on your | | | | be covered by your insurance? |
| particular insurance policy, many water emergencies | | | | Water trickling from the ground and damaging your |
| are covered, but there are multiple scenarios of what | | | | basement and foundation are regarded as a |
| is covered and under what conditions. When you | | | | maintenance rather than an accidental issue. Sewage |
| know what your water damage policy covers, you | | | | back up issues are not covered by standard policies, |
| know what language to use to describe the situation | | | | although additional coverage through endorsements |
| for your claim to be approved. That means that if | | | | could be available to purchase. Although floods are |
| your water heater bursts and "floods" your Dallas | | | | America's primary cause of natural disasters, the |
| Fort Worth home or your washing machine | | | | standard Homeowners' Insurance Policy does not |
| overflows and your basement has 3" of standing | | | | cover floods; however, if you live in a flood risk area, |
| water, it does not qualify under the definition of a | | | | you can buy such a policy from the government if |
| true flood, which is good because chances are your | | | | your community participates in the National Flood |
| insurance would cover these water damage scenarios | | | | Insurance Program. There is more information about |
| - just don't use the word "flood" when filing your | | | | specific flood hazards on |
| claim. | | | | The above examples show that when you call your |
| Here are some examples of water emergency | | | | insurance company to file a water damage claim, you |
| situations and their outcome, depending on your | | | | should be honest, but be aware that you should be |
| insurance company's interpretation of events that led | | | | factual in your description of the water damage. |
| to the damages. | | | | Know what your policy covers and what it does not |
| Water Damage from burst frozen pipes | | | | cover and present your situation accurately, without |
| Most insurance policies cover you for burst frozen | | | | using words or terms that raise a red flag to the |
| pipes; however, if you went on vacation and failed to | | | | person on the other end. For example, if your water |
| turn on the heat in your Dallas, Texas home during | | | | heater burst and when making a claim you say that |
| subzero weather, your claim would most likely be | | | | your house just flooded, that is not within the |
| denied due to your failure to anticipate the events, | | | | narrow interpretation of the insurance company's |
| thus causing the damage. | | | | definition of flood. So, although to you, your home is |
| Water Damage from Overflowing Appliances | | | | flooded because you are standing in 3" of water, |
| Most insurance policies would cover an overflow of | | | | when you report the incident to your insurance |
| your washing machine that floods your basement. | | | | company, just state the facts: your home is full of |
| However, the insurance company may make a case | | | | water due to your water heater bursting. |
| for the improper maintenance and upkeep of the | | | | |