Flooding & Homeowner Insurance from 7/26/2022 11" storm

Parts of the St Louis region received as much as 8" of rain in 6 hours and a total of 11" in 24-hour period beating a record from July 1915.  Amazingly, after hundreds of car rescues from trapped/stranded motorists many homeowners found basements filling up with water.  Every sudden downpour of rain we hear about someone's basement flooding with 1-6 feet of water. The standard homeowner policy simply does not cover for water seeping in window wells, under doors or coming up from sewer lines when flooding is in the area.  A flood is defined as water on surface of ground affecting 2 or more acres.  No matter how the media enjoys redefining words to make it fit a narrative they will not be able to convince your homeowner insurance company to pay this flood incident or the next one. 

If a homeowner has a flood insurance policy their basement will have coverage for cleanup, damage to a/c HVAC, hot water heaters, washer and dryer (assuming their flood policy provides personal property/contents) and a deep freezer (not fridge).  Other items covered with be drywall in basement; however, not mudded and tapped or painted, electrical panel box, and window a/c units to name a few. 

Items not covered, even if your policy includes personal property, is any personal belongings in a basement (boxes clothes, beds, chairs, tv's, carpet or flooring) and Loss of Use/Additional Living Expense is not covered by flood policies.

Disclaimer-This blog is not meant to take place of a homeowner or flood policy, these are my thoughts on frequently asked questions by my flood clients.  Flood insurance is available to almost anyone in St. Louis or ST. Charles, Jefferson County so if you own a home, mobile home, condominium, rental home or simply rent flood insurance is available.  Please call Flanigan Insurance at 314-727-6000 or email me at dflanflanins@yahoo.com if you would like a quote.