On April 13 and 14, the Fort Lauderdale area experienced heavy rain and severe flooding, significantly damaging many homes.
It's important to note that homeowner's insurance typically does not cover flood damage, which occurs when the water rises from the ground and enters your home through doors and walls. This is why having a separate Flood Insurance policy is crucial.
If you have Flood Insurance and have experienced flood damage, getting a second opinion is important to ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to. As experts in flood claims and personal property inventory, we have the experience to assist you in the claim process.
Also, during a flood, there is extensive damage to personal property (contents). A Public Adjuster can assist you with documenting the personal items and creating a contents inventory list to submit to the insurance company.
The main insurer for Flood is NFIP which is the National Flood Insurance Program. They work through TPA or third-party administrators and/or independent adjusting firms to assess the loss. There are specific guidelines when it comes to flood insurance since it is not your regular homeowner's insurance. For example, one rule is that they only pay for what the flood water touches and usually up to 4 feet.
It is essential to remediate (remove water-damaged walls and do a proper dry-out ) after a flood event in your home. This type of claim is considered a cat-3 because the water that comes into your home is from the street (dirty water) and it will quickly contaminate the property causing mold. The NFIP is strict with the amount or allowance for dry out they can pay.
Since this type of claim can be complicated, please seek professional representation in the event of a claim, or at least a second opinion after getting the first assessment from the insurance.