Floods don't occur simply from an overflowing river, or storm surge after a hurricane. They can originate inside the earth itself. You might not fully understand groundwater swells, but they can prove extremely harmful if they strike your home. Yet, how your personal insurance, including flood coverage, addresses groundwater swells, might vary.
What Is Groundwater?
You know that the ground absorbs water during periods of rain. Even the ground underneath bodies of water also absorb a degree of this moisture. Once the water seeps into the ground, it can inhabit spaces in and around soil and rock formations. This becomes groundwater.
Groundwater is an important supplier of drinking water and moisture for the local environment. However, there is always too much of a good thing. Excessive groundwater can cause such problems as sinkholes, ground collapses and even flooding.
Even if you have never experienced these problems before in your area, there is no guarantee that they won't happen. Groundwater flooding can occur almost anywhere, and when it does, it could damage your home. However, whether you have insurance coverage for the damage will depend on the policies you carry.
Insurance For Groundwater Swells
Sudden damage done to your home by groundwater will likely prove hard to prevent and difficult to control. Even if the home has plenty of seals and flood prevention techniques, that's no guarantee that water cannot get in. That's why you want your insurance to cover such damage. However, you might find that your homeowners insurance won't cover many of your losses.
Frequently, groundwater flooding is considered a weather-related occurrence. Most home insurance, as a result, will not cover these floods. You might have to invest in a flood insurance policy for such protection.
Flood insurance, in most cases, comes backed by the National Flood Insurance Program. This is a government setup that governs the coverage homes have for flooding. While certain restrictions will exist on the policy, you might benefit from the coverage if you live in areas with groundwater risks.
Basement Exclusions
Groundwater usually comes from below. Therefore, the areas of your home most at-risk for flooding are the lower floors of the home, and your basement. However, the basement might face significant restrictions on the protection it receives. Such items as the basement's structure, drywall and electrical wiring might have coverage. However, possessions and furnishings within the basement will likely not have any protection.
Therefore, talk to your Select Insurance agent about your basement’s coverage on your policy. With appropriate care, you can maximize your flood insurance for the space.
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