Most insurance don’t cover flood damage in general because there is a separate insurance for that. On top of getting your homeowners insurance, it is advisable to also get flood insurance especially if you are living in Miami. But when its not hurricane season, flooding in a home can be caused by broken drain or pipe lines. If you’re experiencing flooding in your property and your insurance company did not fully give you the amount that you need, the best solution to that is to call Churchill’s public adjuster to guide you in settling your flood damage claim. We can assist you in the following ways:
- Helping you get your documents together
- Helping you to examine the damages
- Figuring out the relationship between your claim and policy
- Negotiating with your insurance company
- Invalidate your denied claims or underpaid claims
How to Claim Floods in Your Miami Property
For one thing, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. That is why you should get a flood damage insurance especially in Miami where it is prone to easily flood during hurricane season. If you already have flood insurance and you want to file a claim some of the things you need to do are:
- Contact your flood insurance provider and give them the following information: name, policy number, telephone number and email address just in case you need to be reached.
- Take notes and pictures of all the damages the flood did to your property as proof so that your insurance company can award you for the amount of the damages.
- If you’ve bought something that can mitigate the damages from the flood, keep the receipts and give it to your insurance provider as well.
Preventing A Flood Damage
If it isn’t hurricane season and it seems like the flooding in your property or area is just as bad, it can be prevented from damaging your home in the following ways:
- Check the hoses that are connected to dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines or heaters and be sure to replace them when needed.
- Take the water out of your heaters every 6 months or so to prevent clogs and debris buildup.
- If you’re moving your appliances, make sure not to tug or pull on the hoses that is attached to it.
- Always be aware of the heat in your home.
- Make sure that you’re regularly checking your water valve and replace if needed.
Statistics
- There are about 861,000 homes that do not have flood insurance in Florida alone.
- In the four south Florida counties – Monroe, Dade, Broward, and Collier – 1.3 million of homes are within high risk of flood.
FAQ
Should I or should I not file an insurance claim for flood damages that were only made to the second floor of my home?
Flood insurance will only cover the damages that are severe. If a pipe broke in Miami, FL on the second floor of your home and did little damages, your insurance will not cover you.
Can I get additional living expenses from my flood insurance?
Flood insurance will cover damages made to a flood. In the case that your home is inhabitable, they will not cover for additional living expenses because this is what your homeowners’ insurance coverage is for.
Can I transfer my policy over to my new home?
Yes, according to FEMA, you can transfer policies over if your policy hasn’t lapsed. In other words, if your insurance isn’t expired you can transfer the policy over. You need to tell your insurance company due to changes in address and additional information.
What does PRP stand for and what does it do to my insurance?
PRP stands for Preferred Risk Policy and they are not as expensive as other types of subsidies and/or policies. It offers a multitude of coverage for the property and the contents of what’s inside the property which are located into low risk flood damage areas.
How much would damage cost for restoration?
The cost of the damage depends on the severity so each case of flood damage is different than others. You would pay less for less damages and more for an extensive amount of damages.
Transfer Policies from FEMA for Flood Insurance by Serafin Martinez on Scribd
References:
Florida’s Coastal Areas are Highly Prone to Flood Damage – Retrieved 2018-04-28
