Is wind-driven rain covered by insurance?
If your home or business has been damaged by a storm, you may assume that your property insurance will cover the costs of repairs. Yet, unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Once you file an insurance claim, the company may deny coverage due to their determination of wind-driven rain damage.
This means that any water damage caused by the storm is not covered under your commercial or homeowners’ insurance policy. In order to ensure that you are protected in the case of a storm, it is important to be aware of the limitations and exclusions of your property insurance policies. By doing so, you can rest assured that your property will be taken care of if disaster strikes.
About Wind-Driven Rain
Wind-driven rain is a phenomenon that occurs when strong winds propel rain into gaps or crevices in the exterior of a structure, leading to water damage within. This type of water damage is typically covered by most standard homeowner’s insurance policies, though some insurers may include a special provision for wind-driven rain that will exclude coverage if it is determined that the home itself contributed to any damage caused.
When assessing a claim for wind-driven rain damage, the insurer will consider the strength of the wind at the time of the storm as well as the presence of any preexisting circumstances that could have exacerbated the damage, such as poor construction or maintenance of the building. Additionally, the kind of protective measures taken prior to the storm may also be taken into account. For instance, if an individual has installed storm shutters or applied special sealants to their windows and doors to better protect against water intrusion, they may be eligible for additional coverage in the case of wind-driven rain.
Ultimately, homeowners should understand the importance of properly preparing their home against potential weather damage, and familiarize themselves with their insurance policy in order to best prepare for any unfortunate contingencies.
What Are Wind-Driven Rain Damage Claims?
Tropical storms, hurricanes, wind or hail storms-they all can cause damage to homes, buildings, and personal property. If your home or commercial building has water damage or hail damage after such a storm, you will likely file a claim and expect your insurance carrier to cover damage caused by the storm.
However, your policy may exclude water damage caused by wind-driven rain. Whereas hurricanes, tornados, and severe storms usually involve both wind and rain, property insurance companies view wind-driven rain damage as different. Often, they deny coverage when the adjuster feels that the property owner poorly maintained their property, resulting in wind-driven rain damage to the property.
For instance, the adjuster might feel the roof of a home was in bad shape. Wind damaged the roof in a storm six months ago. Or there were hail damages from prior storms. In any event, the owner never got the roof repaired.
As another example, there could be old, broken, or missing shingles on the roof. During the storm, the wind drove rain onto the roof. As a result, the poor condition of the roof permitted rain to enter the structure through the roof or wall of the building
Does Flood Insurance Cover Wind-Driven Rain Damage?
When a storm rolls in, your home is at risk of water damage from flooding, but did you know that even wind-driven rain can create just as much—if not more—damage? Wind-driven rain is rain that enters your home due to wind damage to windows, doors, walls, or roofing. Unfortunately, this type of destruction is typically not covered by flood insurance.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) defines flooding as an “overflow of inland or tidal waters and unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.” Moreover, the flood must be a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area. As such, if the damage done to your home is caused by wind-driven rain, chances are it won’t be covered under your standard flood insurance policy.
In some cases, a severe storm can cause damage to windows and doors which then allow wind-driven rain to enter the house. In this scenario, the insurer may view the water damage as caused by wind rather than flooding, and thus deny the claim. It is important to keep this possibility in mind when filing a flood damage claim; if the water entered your home due to wind-driven rain, you may need a different type of coverage to ensure the claim is approved.
So what should you do in the event of wind-driven rain and water damage? Seek out windstorm insurance, which specifically covers damage that results from high winds. Alternatively, you may want to contact your insurance provider to inquire about adding an endorsement or rider to your existing policy that will provide additional protection from wind-driven rain damage. Taking the time to find the best possible coverage can save you significant financial stress down the road.
FAQs about Wind-Driven Rain Damage Claims
Is wind driven rain covered on an HO3?
Wind-driven rain is typically covered by an HO3 homeowner’s insurance policy. This type of coverage may include protection for damages caused by excessive wind, such as roofs that are damaged or dislodged due to high winds.
What is wind driven rain exclusion?
A wind-driven rain exclusion is a clause in an insurance policy that eliminates or limits coverage for losses caused by certain types of weather events, such as strong winds, hail, or hurricanes. These exclusions are generally listed in the “Perils Excluded” section of the policy.
Is windstorm damage covered by insurance?
In most cases, yes. Most standard homeowner’s policies include coverage for damage caused by windstorms, such as roofs that have been damaged or dislodged due to extreme winds or hail. However, this coverage can be limited or excluded in certain situations. It’s important to review your policy carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered.
What is typically covered under a HO 3 policy?
A Homeowners Insurance Policy – often referred to as a HO 3 policy – provides protection for a wide variety of risks associated with owning a home, including damage from fire, theft, vandalism, and wind-driven rain. The exact terms and coverage amounts will vary depending on the specifics of the policy.
What category of water is wind driven rain?
Wind-driven rain is categorized as “surface water” and is considered to be different than water that originates from sources such as rivers and lakes (which would be considered “floodwater”).
Does State Farm cover wind driven rain?
Yes, State Farm provides coverage for wind-driven rain in its homeowner’s insurance policies. However, it’s important to read the policy documents carefully to understand the exact terms and conditions of this coverage.
Can wind driven rain cause roof leak?
Yes, wind-driven rain can cause roof leaks if the force of the wind impacts the roof surface hard enough to cause dislodging or damage to points of vulnerability such as loose flashing or open seams. It’s important to have your roof inspected regularly to detect any potential structural damage.
How do you calculate wind driven rain?
Wind-driven rain can be calculated using a variety of methods. The formula used will depend on factors such as the speed of the wind, the moisture content in the air, and the temperature at ground level. It’s important to consult with a professional before attempting to calculate wind-driven rainfall on your own.
What does wind deductible cover?
Many standard homeowner’s insurance policies include a separate deductible amount for damages caused by windstorms, such as those from high winds or hail. The exact amount and terms of this deductible will depend on your specific policy and should be reviewed carefully before filing a claim.
What is considered water damage?
Water damage is defined as physical damage resulting from contact with water or humid conditions over extended periods of time. It can be caused by many factors, such as extensive rainfall, broken pipes, or flooding.
What are the 3 categories of water damage?
Water damage is generally divided into three categories: Clean Water Damage (such as rainfall or broken pipes), Grey Water Damage (such as washer overflow), and Black Water Damage (such as sewage backup). Each type requires different levels of clean up and remediation.
Which of the following water movements is wind driven?
All forms of water movement can be affected by wind action, such as waves in an ocean or lake shoreline and currents in a river. Rainfall can also be considered wind-driven, since winds can cause clouds to form and push them across large regions of land.
Does flood insurance cover storm surge in Florida?
Yes, most flood insurance policies provide coverage for storm surge-related damages in Florida since it is one of the most hurricane-prone states in the country. However, it’s important to read the policy documents carefully as each insurance company has different definitions and rules for what qualifies as storm surge-related damages.
Insurance Company Says It’s Not Covered
If your property has experienced significant damage from wind-driven rain, it is essential to enlist the services of a professional public adjuster. With their extensive knowledge and expertise, a public adjuster can help you receive the maximum coverage for damages from your insurance policy.
By carefully reviewing your plan documents and analyzing the details of the claim, a public adjuster can identify any clauses or loopholes that would allow you to receive more financial coverage from the insurance company. Additionally, they can look for ambiguities in the language of the policy in order to create an advantageous negotiation situation for themselves.
In short, if your insurance company is trying to get out of covering damages related to wind-driven rain, hiring a public adjuster could be beneficial. This independent expert will make sure your rights are being upheld while fighting for every penny of coverage you deserve.