Why the Cause of a Flood Matters

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Flood damage and storm damage both can result in serious problems for your business. Although storms can cause flooding, the two are considered separate categories for insurance purposes. It is important to know the difference so that you can make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your business before a disaster occurs.

Floods

Flooding is generally defined as water damage that occurs over at least two acres or that affects two or more separate properties. Floods are caused by many natural phenomena, including the following:

• Surface water buildup
• Tidal or inland water overflow
• Erosion near bodies of water
• Mudflow

Even when the above instances are caused by a storm, most insurance companies consider them to be flood damage rather than storm damage and will not cover the damage if you do not have a separate flood policy.

Storms

If a storm damages your business with hail or wind and that results in water damage, many insurance companies would consider that to be storm damage because the initial event was separate from the water damage. In other words, the initial event occurred before and resulted in the water damage. Tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, and other types of storms can all cause this sort of damage. Some insurance companies have a separate deductible for hurricanes and other tropical storms, so make sure you are familiar with the specifics of your policy.

Other Causes

Sometimes flooding is not caused by Mother Nature. Problems with appliances and plumbing can also cause your property to flood. Most of these situations generally would be covered by your property insurance, but always make sure you know the details of your policy before an emergency occurs.

Regardless of the causes of flood damage to your business, a professional restoration service can help you get your business back in pre-flood condition quickly and safely.