Hurricane's in New England - Insurance question

[nealymouse]

I live in Southern Maine. There has been alot of talk about a Hurricane hitting the N.E states because of a 50 yr patten. (we were hit in the 1930's)

My question is......... Do you have to have special Hurricane insurance or is it just reg homeowners coverage ?

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Good question, and I think I will call my insurance agent on monday to find out.

Since hurricanes are an Act of God, and most insurance companies love God, and won't pay out on anything he does, it is possible you would need extra insurance.

I will never forget the family in Rhode Island years ago. They bought earthquake insurance. It only cost an extra $75 a year on their premium, so the husband said "why not? you never know." If we have earthquakes up here, they don't even register. But, Rhode Island did have a small earthquake. It did do some serious damage to homes foundations. Almost every person affected was looking at thousands of dollars in repairs. Not this couple! Insurance paid for it all. I remember them on the news, thinking, WOW. That was a gamble that paid off.

I wil say, in Maine, unless you are directly on the coast, you probably have nothing to worry about. Most of the hurricanes NE gets have lost there "umpph" by the time they get way up here.

 

[gallaj0]

Check your policy.

Most policies will cover wind/rain damage, where the wind or debris damages your house, then rain gets in. If it is flooding, that's a whole different story. Most policy's specifically exclude flooding due to extremely high tides, overflowing rivers and ponds, or groundwater intrsusion.

The only way to know for sure is to check your policy, or ask your agent exactly what is covered.

 

[hiwaygal]

I'm not sure my answer is entirely correct because I think the laws can vary from state to state. But, I live in a hurricane prone area and as far as I know, there isn't "hurricane insurance" and if there is, it's EXPENSIVE!

Our homeowner's insurance would cover most things caused by a hurricane (wind damage and "wind driven water" damage) but not flood damage.

The need for flood insurance is usually determined by FEMA FIRM maps. You can look them up on-line, but you might be better off talking to someone in your city/county Land Development or Codes Compliance office. If you don't already have flood insurance, chances are you don't live in a flood zone and therefore don't "need" it. However, you can purchase it...but, again, it will be fairly expensive.

I would suggest reading your homeowner's insurance policy to determine what it will and will not cover...and talk to your insurance agent.

 

[nealymouse]

We dont live in a flood zone and we are 20 miles from the coast. Its the wind and rain I worry about.

We have a very old but safe oak tree in our front yard. I dont want to take it down but I am sure hurrican winds could bring it down on my home and cause major damage.

Im calling a new agent tomorrow and will add that to my list of questions.

Thanks

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I second the idea of calling your agent. We have flood insurance because we live near a river. The general rule of thumb is that homeowners covers falling water but not rising water. Always good to clarify the fine points with the insurance agent though. Just as an FYI, if you buy the flood insurance when close on your home its effective immediately. If you buy the flood insurance after you've already purchased your home it takes 30 days to become effective. So if you plan on buying it, do it prior to hurricane season starting up.

Of course my DH is now convinced that he will be skipping our Disney trip at the end of November. He is convinced that a major hurricane is going to destroy our home and he will be home re-building it. I got the reprimand because I planned a trip in the middle of hurricane season. My only thought was "good - the rest of us can fly and leave you home" I'm such a bad wife.

 

[nealymouse]

Eeyore'thebest. Did your husband hear the reports on T.V and the News about the chance of a major hurricane hitting the North East Coast ?

My grandparents lived right on the ocean for the hurricane in the 30's. It was really bad for them, so hearing the news that it could and most likely happend again I just wanted to make sure I was fully insured "Just in case"

 

[kbkids]

We've got Allstate, and it does cover it, but at a much higher deductible than on everything else. Can't remember the percentage - but it's a percentage of your policy amount - I think it would work out to about $5000 for us.

Anyway, and what someone else said is true. But it won't cover flooding. You would need flood insurance for that. If the adjustor can determine that the water damage was covered by tidal surges or flooding, they won't pay. Had one adjustor tell a friend of mine after Ivan after their house flooded (no, they weren't in a flood zone) that they should have smashed some windows (wind damage) to make it appear like the rain had come in from the windows.

Had another friend have an adjustor coach him through a phone interview. He had some minor damage during a hurricane - the carpeting in one room was soaked. She asked if it came in through the bottom of the door or the top. He said he didn't know because they had evacuated. She said, "So, you're saying it came in from the top of the door?" He said, "Yeh, whatever," and then found out later that she was helping him tremendously!

 

[ducklite]

Flooding can happen inland, and even when you aren't near a river or lake. The tiniest little crick half a mile away can overflow and end up in your basement. Your storm sewers can not be able to handle a prolonged heavy rain, and cause water to back up in your street, onto your lawn, and into your home.

When I lived in NJ, we had hurricane Floyd come through, and a lot of homes that were no where near a water source flooded because the storm sewers couldn't handle the amount of rain. My street had about a foot of standing water, and it was halfway up my driveway. Some of the homes with basements in my neighborhood had flooded basements. In one house the ground around it was so saturated that the water came pouring into the basement through the cinderblock!

None of those people were covered, because they didn't live in a flood zone and didn't have flood insurance. Something to think about, especially if you've got a basement.

Anne

 

[pkrimier]

Learn a lesson from what has happened here along the Gulf Coast.
Homeowners that were not in flood zones , were not required to have flood insurance were not given satisfaction from their insurance companies..they were told their damage was from storm surge and the ins co. refused to pay.
Many lost everthing they owned only to be told "sorry we do not pay for flood damage" of any kind.
In saying that if you have damage from a hurricane(at least in the south) and is wind damage we have a hurricane deductible .
My insurance co wrote me out a check after Ivan(I do not have a morrgage)and took 2% of the value of my house off.
Now if you have a mortgage when and if your insurance co decides to pay for your damage the check will be made out to you and your mortage co and then you have to send it to them and they issue you out a third...if damage is over 10k.over the period of time your house is being repaired.
Also if y ou plan on taking out flood insurance you better get it before hurricane season starts....usually 30 days before is required.
These are just a few things we have learned from experience.
My daughter is still waiting on her brand new house to be repaired fro m Katrina.
It is getting there but it has been a very long time coming.

 

[AllyandJack]

I heard a lot of insurers in New England are going to either raise rates or drop coverage entirely. I called my agent (Farmers) and they said I was far enough inland and I didn't have to worry. My house is on a hill and there are no trees within hundreds of feet of my house. So, my big worry is driveway flooding (already happened a few times) and flying debris from my idiot neighbor.

 

[nealymouse]

I heard a lot of insurers in New England are going to either raise rates or drop coverage entirely. I called my agent (Farmers) and they said I was far enough inland and I didn't have to worry. My house is on a hill and there are no trees within hundreds of feet of my house. So, my big worry is driveway flooding (already happened a few times) and flying debris from my idiot neighbor.

Drop coverage of what ?
We have MET. I have never had a claim but my insurance guy is not calling me to update so I am looking into State farm, and Liberty M.

We live on a nole but do have flooding at the end of our street. It has never come close to us but I should worry in case it does.

I am learing so much from all you, Thank you

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Ok, so I um, looked it up.

Possibly the worst natural disaster in history! WTH?????

http://www.anitas-website.info/

Thursday, March 23, 2006
Accuweather's 2006 Predictions
http://www.caycompass.com/
"Private U.S.–based weather forecaster AccuWeather.com has followed other organisations in predicting a busy 2006 hurricane season.

However, unlike some other organisations, AccuWeather is predicting that while the 2006 season will bring more storms than normal, it will be less busy than last year’s, which spawned 15 hurricanes and 27 named storms.

The Atlantic Basin is in a recognised active cycle for tropical storm development.

In addition, a warmer–than–normal winter in the United States might cause the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico to be higher than normal, which could help tropical storm development.

There is currently also a weak La Nina condition – which is a cooling of water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean – that is expected to last three to six more months. La Nina has historically been linked to increased tropical storm formation, and stronger storms, in the Atlantic Basin.

However, the most ominous prediction from AccuWeather.com is that the Northeast coast of the United States could experience a major hurricane this year, possibly causing the worst natural disaster in U.S. history."

2006 atlantic hurricane season
hurricane alberto
hurricane beryl
hurricane chris
hurricane debby
hurricane ernesto
hurricane florence
hurricane gordon
hurricane helene
hurricane isaac
hurricane joyce
hurricane kirk
hurricane leslie
hurricane michael
hurricane nadine
hurricane oscar
hurricane patty
hurricane rafael
hurricane sandy
hurricane tony
hurricane valerie
hurricane william

So who do you think it will be? Beryl? Sandy? William?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And note--storm surge is considered flooding. So even though those puppies only come with a hurricane it doesn't matter.

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

I've been following this thread all day. When I went to read our Sunday paper, on the front page is an article "US hiding truth about Hurricanes, scientists say" I don't know how to link or if it is on their website but the paper is The Providence Sunday Journal.

The article decribes how govt. is not letting climate scientists claim that we are going to be getting stronger hurricanes every year due to global warming.
Made for some interesting reading.

 

[Jennifer48]

Thursday, March 23, 2006
Accuweather's 2006 Predictions
http://www.caycompass.com/
"Private U.S.–based weather forecaster AccuWeather.com has followed other organisations in predicting a busy 2006 hurricane season.

However, unlike some other organisations, AccuWeather is predicting that while the 2006 season will bring more storms than normal, it will be less busy than last year’s, which spawned 15 hurricanes and 27 named storms.

In addition, a warmer–than–normal winter in the United States might cause the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico to be higher than normal, which could help tropical storm development.

However, the most ominous prediction from AccuWeather.com is that the Northeast coast of the United States could experience a major hurricane this year, possibly causing the worst natural disaster in U.S. history."

Ok I beg of you, please do not go by what AccuWeather says. This winter Massachusetts had above normal snowfall amounts. How do they comment on that? They don't. All they do is try to scare people.

They ALSO said that LAST year the New England coast was going to get hit by a major hurricane. That didn't happen either.

 

[chris1gill]

OK, I think I'm getting dizzy reading this thread LOL... I am worried about two things... Wind damage & flooding caused from the rain from the sky... would we be covered under normal coverage?

There's absolutely no possibility of flooding caused by rivers, surges or anything of that nature.... We have no tree's near us, but 100 feet away or so....

What do you think?

 

[hiwaygal]

OK, I think I'm getting dizzy reading this thread LOL... I am worried about two things... Wind damage & flooding caused from the rain from the sky... would we be covered under normal coverage?

There's absolutely no possibility of flooding caused by rivers, surges or anything of that nature.... We have no tree's near us, but 100 feet away or so....

What do you think?

My best guess is not for the flooding part. Most "normal coverage" policies do not cover ANY kind of flooding.

Mine only covered rain damage because the claims adjuster determined it was "wind driven" rain (otherwise, how would my 2nd floor carpet get wet, but not my 1st floor carpet?).

Check your policy or ask your agent...that's the best way to be sure.

 

[chris1gill]

Oh BLECH, I guess I will call the agent today...

On an aside, does anyone here have earthquake insurance? It's very expensive!

 

[pkrimier]

My daughter had the 2nd floor of her house blown off and consequently the rain ruined the rest of the whole house.(from Katrina)
But the insurance paid for everything since the wind damage allowed the rain to get into house.(she did not have flood insurance either)
It did not flood ...it just got everything soaking wet with an inch or 2 of water on the floor.
We had a tree go through our house during Ivan and our insurance paid for the damage and having that tree removed.
It was just one room that got wet but insurance covered it because it was basically wind damage.

But I will say insurance companies will use every technicality to distance themselves from trying to pay you...doesn't matter that you are paying them for a service and when it comes time to pay up they do everything they can not to have to.
Although my daughter is slowly after all these months getting her house fixed
she has had to fight for every dime she has gotten....I have been very worried about the stress this has causesd her and her husband and children.
I know life is not fair but what she and others are going through is unreal.
Hopefully everyone has learned lessons from Katrina.....the pictures you see along the Gulf Coast do not even begin to show the real magnitude of the destruction .