Is water damage ever covered after flood in basement?

[ZoeBell]

We had a pretty crazy rain/hail storm about a week ago. My basement was destroyed. My hot water tank, dryer and brand new washing machine are kaput. Assuming it was a sump pump overwork, but I’m not completely sure. I didn’t file a claim because I didn’t think any type of basement flooding was covered. But a few co-workers have said their basement was and received a flat $5000. I had GE repair over today and after telling me there was nothing he could do he suggested filing a claim.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks !

 

[GoingSince1990]

If you mean “covered by homeowner’s insurance”, the answer is no, for a flood caused by “nature” as opposed to something like a leaking appliance. If you have separate flood insurance, though, you should be covered.

 

[SL6827]

We had a pretty crazy rain/hail storm about a week ago. My basement was destroyed. My hot water tank, dryer and brand new washing machine are kaput. Assuming it was a sump pump overwork, but I’m not completely sure. I didn’t file a claim because I didn’t think any type of basement flooding was covered. But a few co-workers have said their basement was and received a flat $5000. I had GE repair over today and after telling me there was nothing he could do he suggested filing a claim.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks !

Ok, what is a sump pump overwork?

 

[msmayor]

Actually, you CAN have coverage...but here in NJ it is only if you actually have a sump pump AND purchase the sump pump coverage.

We have the rider on our policy and it will cover up to $10,000 in damage due to water that invades the basement because of a sump pump failure. It paid off wonderfully years ago when the float arm of the original pump in the basement jammed, and the pump never turned on. I had 2-3 inches of water in most of our finished basement. Ruined all the carpeting and some items stored in cardboard boxes in the unfinished area. The insurance covered it all.

Had the water entered my basement because of a leaky window, no coverage at all unless I had a Federal Flood policy.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I feel like if you need a sump pump you probably had flood insurance? I hope at least.

Ok, what is a sump pump overwork?

I assume that means it couldn't pump out enough water to prevent flooding.

 

[SL6827]

A sump pump? Is that where the land didn't perk and the septic tank or such has to be pumped uphill?

 

[Brett Wyman]

A sump pump? Is that where the land didn't perk and the septic tank or such has to be pumped uphill?

Ok, what is a sump pump overwork?

In reference to homes it’s a pump in your basement or crawl space that kicks on via float when water enters the area and pumps it out.

 

[ZoeBell]

I feel like if you need a sump pump you probably had flood insurance? I hope at least.



I assume that means it couldn't pump out enough water to prevent flooding.

Most houses around my area have sump pumps, but we aren’t in a flood zone. I didn’t have extra flood insurance.

thank you all for the replies.

 

[Searc]

I feel like if you need a sump pump you probably had flood insurance? I hope at least.



I assume that means it couldn't pump out enough water to prevent flooding.

A sump pump doesn't mean you have flood insurance. Flood insurance is not something you can just buy- you have to live in a designated flood plain.

 

[lanejudy]

Yep, agree that it may be covered. Check your policy. Some policies require an additional rider for the sump pump.

 

[SL6827]

In reference to homes it’s a pump in your basement or crawl space that kicks on via float when water enters the area and pumps it out.

Oh, I have never heard of one. Are these more common with people in flood zones? Or what makes them neccessary for some homes?

 

[msmayor]

Oh, I have never heard of one. Are these more common with people in flood zones? Or what makes them neccessary for some homes?

There are many areas where the 'water table' - the level of water underground - is considered high, or there are drainage issues when it rains. If you have a basement, this can cause a problem because water naturally wants to flow somewhere. It's going to find the path of least resistance and since concrete is naturally porous, it is going to find its way through a concrete basement.

When our home was built, a french drain was installed around the perimeter of the basement. This is a deep trough that is purposely slanted and a perforated pvc pipe laid in the trench, covered with gravel. It is designed to provide a 'path of least resistance' for the water before it gets to the concrete walls/floor of the basement. The water moves through the gravel (to capture silt/dirt), goes into the pipe through the perforationsand travels downward in the trough (because the trough is slanted) and pours into a concrete 'pit' that is just inside the basement walls...it's called a sump crock. The water goes into the crock and inside the crock is my sump pump. Mine works off water pressure, so the pump sits there and once the water pressure reaches a certain level (indicating the crock is filling), the pump kicks on automatically and pumps the water upward and out of the basement to a drainpipe that runs to the street-edge of my property and deposits it into a field drain.

I actually have two crocks and pumps in my basement - opposite corners. both are connected to marine batteries so that if the power goes out in a storm, the sumps will operate for up to 10 hours. It's vital...the original pumps in my house were float-arm and as the water rose, an arm on the pump would rise up and when it reached full vertical the pump would kick on. Over time the pump had moved around in the crock until the arm was lodged against the edge of the crock, and when the water started to fill the arm simply couldn't raise. With no where to go, the crock filled up and the french drains around the basement filled as well...with no where to the water to go. It started to seep under the walls of the basement and percolate up through the slab.

We do not live in a flood zone. We could still get it if we wanted it - anyone can buy flood insurance if you're willing to pay for it. Fact of the matter is that you could live in a land-locked state, no where near a body of water, and still benefit from flood insurance because it covers any water incursion into your home from the ground, unless there is another proximate cause (for example...a tree smashes into your house, opening up a hole that allows rain to pour into your basement...you'd be covered, because it was the tree falling and opening up the hole that is the cause...not just the water coming into the house).

 

[Hikergirl]

Most houses around my area have sump pumps, but we aren’t in a flood zone. I didn’t have extra flood insurance.

thank you all for the replies.

That is us too OP, we need a sump pump but not in a designated flood zone so not eligible for flood insurance.
I'm sorry to hear about your stuff being ruined.

 

[ZoeBell]

That is us too OP, we need a sump pump but not in a designated flood zone so not eligible for flood insurance.
I'm sorry to hear about your stuff being ruined.

Thank you!

 

[Brett Wyman]

That is us too OP, we need a sump pump but not in a designated flood zone so not eligible for flood insurance.
I'm sorry to hear about your stuff being ruined.

I think the big caveat here is anyone can buy private flood insurance. But to get the subsidized federal flood insurance you have to be in a flood zone.

 

[Hikergirl]

I think the big caveat here is anyone can by private flood insurance. But to get the subsidized federal flood insurance you have to be in a flood zone.

The OP said she didn't have extra flood insurance so I assume she meant insurance from FEMA.

 

[Donaldswife]

We had a pretty crazy rain/hail storm about a week ago. My basement was destroyed. My hot water tank, dryer and brand new washing machine are kaput. Assuming it was a sump pump overwork, but I’m not completely sure. I didn’t file a claim because I didn’t think any type of basement flooding was covered. But a few co-workers have said their basement was and received a flat $5000. I had GE repair over today and after telling me there was nothing he could do he suggested filing a claim.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks !

I don't have any advice on theinsurance other than to call and see what they say is covered.

As for basements and sump pumps, we have a regular pump, and we have a water powered back up pump as well. It was a little pricey, but definitely cheaper than a flooded basement. Might look into one since you need to replace the pump anyway.

Good luck!

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

as with any potential insurance claim, your agent would be the first call to make. They can let you know if they need to send an adjuster out or if what you described is written into your policy.

 

[tvguy]

Wonder why they call them sump pumps.....sump with a "P" since if you look them up they are submersible pumps? Pumps usually put in a low area or pit and can go under water. When they sense water they turn on and pump it out.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Our basement flooded about 8 years ago when our sump pumps didn't work because the power was out during a storm. The insurance paid for ServPro to clean up the mess and put down new carpet. Luckily, the water was only about an inch deep, so our TV, Washer, Dryer, Etc were all fine. The insurance person I spoke with told me that electronics would not have been covered, but I'm not sure about the appliances.