Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Basement Flooding?

    Coverage depends on where the water came from. Burst pipes and appliance failures are usually covered; groundwater and surface runoff usually require a separate flood policy.

    Read the full answer

    Free claim review: 516-410-0164

    Video transcript

    Walking down into a flooded basement on Long Island right now? Before you call your insurance company in a panic, you need to know one critical thing: where did the water actually come from?

    Standard homeowners insurance policies on Long Island almost always cover sudden indoor water damage — like a burst pipe, a supply line failure, or a washing machine hose letting go.

    However, if that water is seeping up through your foundation from high water tables, rushing in from surface runoff, or rolling across your yard during a heavy storm, standard policies will deny it completely. That requires a separate flood insurance policy.

    Many homeowners find out too late that their carrier's first adjuster tries to mislabel storm runoff as a plumbing issue — or vice versa — to avoid paying out.

    Don't let your insurance company dictate what's covered. If you're dealing with basement water damage anywhere in Nassau or Suffolk County, call or text me, Kevin Godfrey, at 516-410-0164 for a free claim review. Tap the link in the description to read the full guide. Stay safe out there.

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