Dallas Flood Damage Attorneys

Helping Property Owners Understand What Insurance Covers After a Flood

Flooding and other water damage can devastate homeowners or commercial property owners. However, many people are surprised that their regular insurance policies do not cover all water damage in the same way. Find out what distinctions insurance companies make between water damage and flood damage, and how to tell if your claim is covered when you call Stormlex Law Group.

What Is the Difference Between Water Damage and Flood Damage?

While homeowners and business owners may use the term “water damage” to refer to any damage, even that involving floods, the insurance company treats these as separate things. In most cases, water damage can be divided into three categories.

Damage Not Related to a Storm or Natural Disaster

Most property insurance policies cover water damage for things like broken pipes or leaking appliances. However, every policy and insurer differs, so you must know exactly what terms and language your policy uses. In some cases, coverage may only be limited to the actual plumbing and not include other items, such as an overflowing washer that caused damage to your laundry room flooring.

Water Intrusion From Storms

Dallas experiences its fair share of storms and severe weather, and wind and hail can damage property and let rain in. For example, if the wind knocks shingles off your roof during a storm, you could have a significant leak that damages multiple rooms and your possessions.

Flood Damage

Insurance companies generally classify flood damage separately. This could include overflowing rivers, storm surges for coastal areas, or even surface runoff. Some insurance policies use the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) definition for flooding, which is “partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties” from an overflow of tidal or inland waters, surface runoff, mudslides, or the collapse of the shore of a lake or other body of water.

It is essential to understand which category your water damage falls into to know what should be covered and what coverage limits may apply. If you are unsure what your policy says, visit the Stormlex Law Group YouTube Channel to learn more about policies and claims.

Does Property Insurance Cover Water and Flood Damage?

Most property insurance policies cover accidental water damage, such as the broken pipe in the above example, and water damage related to rain from a storm. However, they generally do not cover any flood damage. You will need a separate flood insurance policy to be able to make a claim.

It is common for the insurance company and the property owner to disagree about how the water damage should be classified. If you believe your claim was unfairly denied because the adjuster believes a flood caused it, our attorneys can review it and determine if an error was made. If an error was made, Stormlex Law Group can communicate and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get the claim approved so you can make repairs.

If you already have a separate flood policy, you may find that both insurance companies are claiming that the other one is responsible for the damage. We can review your policy documents and your damage claim to determine which company the claim applies to and help you get it covered.

Is Flood Insurance Required in Dallas?

While the state of Texas does not require any property owner to have flood insurance, your mortgage company may require it to get or keep your loan. If your property is located in a FEMA floodplain, you likely had to show proof of flood insurance to be able to purchase it if you used a federally backed loan. However, even if it was not required for your property, it is always a good idea to have flood insurance if you live in an area where flooding is a possibility.

However, having flood insurance is not a guarantee that the insurance company will pay when you have a claim. We see far too many of these cases where a natural disaster strikes and the property owner thinks they are covered, but the insurance company finds a reason to deny or delay the claim. Even if they do approve it, you may find that you’re only getting a fraction of what the claim is worth due to undervaluing.

The good news is that you don’t have to live with the insurance company’s decision. If you believe your provider denied a legitimate claim or significantly undervalued the damage, call our office to speak to an experienced property damage attorney. We can review the policy, claim, and insurer’s decision and help you decide what action to take moving forward.

What Does a National Flood Insurance Program Policy Cover?

If you have a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), it may cover all or part of the damage to your property after a flood. However, there are specific limits and exclusions for these policies that it’s important to be aware of. An NFIP policy can cover the building itself and the contents up to the coverage limit if you purchase both of these types of coverage. The standard limit for the building is $250,000, and the limit for the personal property and contents inside is $100,000.

Common exclusions include any damage that the property owner could have avoided, such as mold or mildew from not removing the water, money, precious metals, and landscaping. Additional living expenses, such as short-term housing and meals, and financial losses due to the interruption of a business are also excluded from coverage. There are also specific exceptions to coverage for the lowest elevated flood or the basement, including crawlspaces.

These policies can be especially challenging to understand, and you need to know all of the details to be able to determine if your claim is covered. An attorney can explain your coverage limits and any exclusions and advocate for you to get the maximum compensation possible after a flood.

How Can a Flood Damage Lawyer Help You With the Residential and Commercial Property Damage Claims Process?

Flood damage claims attorneys are not only for after your claim has been denied. If you feel your claim is being delayed, a lawyer can help you with a claim assessment, reviewing and understanding your policy, providing expert damage documentation for your claim, and negotiating with the insurance company. Having an attorney can also help if you need to take further action, such as filing a complaint or a lawsuit for bad faith practices.

Talk to a Dallas Property Damage Lawyer

If your home or business was damaged after a flood in the Dallas area, let Stormlex Law Group help you with your property damage insurance claim. Speak to a member of our team when you call (877) 890-6372 .