3 Times Homeowner’s Insurance Doesn’t Cover a Flooded Basement

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Your homeowner's insurance doesn't cover every type of water damage.

When Is Flood Not Covered?

Unfortunately, there are plenty of sources for a basement flood in your home in Elburn, IL, that your homeowner's insurance will not cover. The following sources are common examples of when the flood is not covered.

1. Storms
A basement flood from a natural disaster is generally not covered by your insurance. This means you should have a sump pump in your unfinished basement. If you have a finished basement, you should take other measures to keep water out. For all situations with rising water levels, flood insurance is your best bet. This type of policy offers insurance coverage for your personal belongings. In other words, they will pay to replace your items or have them dried by a water restoration company that offers content cleaning.

2. Sewage Backups
If sewage backs up and floods your basement, it will probably not be covered under a standard policy. This type of disaster is the most expensive and can cause a lot of damage. Fortunately, you can combat it by purchasing an additional clause on your insurance policy. Just make sure that you get at least $10,000 of coverage. Otherwise, they could leave you footing a lot of the bill for the restoration work.

3. Groundwater Seepage
A basement flood caused by groundwater seepage is generally not covered. You may notice these after heavy rain strikes as water seeps through the cracks in your foundation. Your insurance company considers this a non-coverable calamity. This is also typically not covered by flood insurance. The best way to prevent this type of disaster is to ensure that your foundation is solid. Also, reseal your basement walls periodically. This will prevent any water from entering, so you don't have to worry about paying for the damage.
Your homeowner's insurance doesn't cover every type of water damage. These are just some of the sources of a flooded basement that your insurance company will likely exclude from your policy.