Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About The Insurance Claim Process

This is a great question that can have a disappointing answer for a lot of condominium associations and unit owners—but that only makes it more important that you ask before you need to file a claim. While it can be simple for homeowners to find out how their insurance against flood losses works, condominiums can be insured against loss by policies purchased by the condominium association, individual unit owners, and other potential parties. So, when dealing with any kind of flood claim for a condo, your first questions should really be about which policies cover the types of loss you sustained in the flood.

However, even after you understand the extent of your own responsibility for filing a claim with your insurer, there can be additional problems with getting payment for all the types of water damage you sustained.

Indirect Water Damage Is Often Not Covered by Condominium Flood Insurance Policies

It’s important to realize that not all “flood” damage is the same for the purposes of condominium insurance claims. Many policyholders each year are dismayed to find out that their policies—even including the master policies held by the condominium association—only cover direct flood damages. Unfortunately, this may exclude accompanying water damage due to:

• Water and sewer backup
• Leaks caused by flooding or a preceding storm
• Other “indirect” damages from a major flooding event

Understanding the fine details of your insurance coverage is the key to successfully resolving condominium flood claims. For more information about your rights or help with a difficult claim, reach out to our experienced policyholder attorneys at 888-614-7730.

Related Links: Federal Flood Insurance Doesn’t Necessarily Make Condo Claims Easy Are You Sure Your Condominium Isn’t at Risk for a Flood? Who Pays for Repair After Flood Damage to a Condominium Unit?

 

This isn’t an easy question to answer, and some policyholders are unhappily surprised to find out that they may not be covered for some flood-related damages. Condominiums are usually covered by a number of different policies that include coverage for different kinds of damage from flooding events, and responsibility in loss events is often divided between everyone involved. While all or some of that damage is likely covered by the flood policies held, the real difficulty is often in figuring out who is responsible for each specific kind of damage and which policy will cover it. To add to the confusion, most flood insurance coverage also includes a number of exceptions or “gray areas” under the terms of different the policies held by unit owners and condo associations, which can leave policyholders fighting for a fair settlement for the full cost of their losses.

Common Exceptions to Flood-Damage Coverage for Condominiums

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to give general answers about what may or may not be covered under your flood insurance policy, but exceptions are common. Depending on the specific terms of each policy held and how those terms are interpreted by the insurance company, there might be excluded losses that include:

• Damage to basements and other specific areas
• Damage caused by accompanying rains or damage to windows
• Damage caused by sewer backups and pipe breaks
• Costs of housing while a flood-damaged unit or condo building is repaired
• Mold and mildew damage
• Damage to pools, decks, and landscaping
• Damages that are in excess of the limits of the existing policies

In some cases, a portion of the damages that are excluded by existing flood policies may be covered under other general policies held by individual unit owners or the condominium association. In other cases, however, policyholders are unable to recover compensation for some flood damages under their insurance policies and end up with more out-of-pocket expenses than expected.  

Has Your Claim for Flood Damage to a Condominium Been Denied or Underpaid?

If you are having a difficult time getting your insurance company to pay for flood damage to a condominium, don’t be afraid to reach out for legal help. Insurance companies don’t always play fair after major loss events, but the guidance of an experienced insurance litigation attorney can help you get the most out of the coverage you carry. To get started today with a free claim review, open a live chat with our team or contact us directly by phone.

Related Links: Condo Owners Make Costly Mistakes With Their Claims for Flood Damage Four Reasons Your Condo Insurance Claim May Be Denied Three Unforeseen Problems With Condo Damage Claims