Oklahoma Property Insurance: Four Types of Water Damage Claims

Oklahoma Property Insurance: Four Types of Water Damage Claims

Posted September 7, 2017

For many different reasons, water damage cases are amongst the most complex types of property insurance claims. When it comes to water damage, the source of the water matters. Not all of these claims are created equal. Depending on the source of the water, your insurance company may try to deny you coverage. To help you better understand the basics of these claims, our top-rated Oklahoma City water damage insurance lawyers highlight the four most common types of water damage in Oklahoma.

  1. Flood Damage

 

Flooding is not covered by a standard homeowners’ insurance policy. Unfortunately, this comes as a surprise to some Oklahoma property owners. Do not let this happen to you. The last thing you want is to think you have property insurance protection, only to find out after a flood that you really do not. To get flood insurance coverage for your home, you will likely need to obtain coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is operated under the purview of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

  1. Wind-Driven Rain Damage

 

Water damage caused by “wind-driven rain” is distinct from flood damage. This can be confusing for many homeowners, but storm-related water damage that was not caused by flooding is typically covered in a standard Oklahoma homeowners’ insurance policy. However, if the storm caused a flood, that water damage will generally not be covered by a standard homeowners’ policy. Still, wind-driven rain damage is not included in every policy. You need to look carefully at your specific coverage and exclusions to ensure that your property is adequately protected.

  1. Long-term Leaks

 

Long-term water leaks and seepage are also covered by most standard homeowners’ policies. However, there are issues to consider with this type of water damage as well. Unfortunately, overly aggressive, bad-acting insurance companies sometimes attempt to deny leak damage claims on the grounds that the policyholder failed to mitigate their damages or that the policyholder was otherwise to blame for causing the damage. If your leak damage claim was rejected, you need to get your case into the hands of a qualified lawyer as soon as possible.

  1. Pipe Backups and Water Flow

 

Finally, in some cases, water damage can occur in a home rapidly. due to pipe backups and subsequent reverse water flow. These can be complex claims, as the reasons why the water backup occurred can vary widely. In some cases, it can be a system-wide problem; in other cases it might be a problem with the pipes in the specific home. Ultimately, if you feel like the insurance company is not handling your claim fairly, you need to seek legal assistance.

 

Contact Our Oklahoma Storm Damage Lawyers Today

 

At The Bennett Law Firm, we have helped many property owners recover full and fair compensation for their storm-related water damage. For a free review of your case, please contact our firm today. We represent property owners in Oklahoma City and throughout the surrounding communities, including in Norman, Moore, Edmond and Mustang.