Hurricane Sandy has passed and left destruction for insurance claims to be filed.
Sandy is estimated to have caused $20 billion in damage as it tore through the east coast, but what does that mean to the average person filings a claim?
Most of the damage from Sandy is from flooding, its common that most policies will not cover flooding. Understand an insurance policy can be very difficult even for a seasoned insurance agent. For example flooding might be covered if its determined the cause of damage was first another covered peril.
Make sure to contact an independent insurance agency not a direct writer that can only sell you one companies insurnace product.
Is my property covered?
Wind
During a hurricane, there are often separate deductibles for high force winds. The deductibles are often expensive and can be up to 5 percent of the home's insured value,
according to HLN.
Fallen Trees
Most policies cover damage caused by wind and will cover flooding caused by a tree crashing into the roof,
according to USA Today.
Flooding
Most home insurance policies do not cover flooding. Flood insurance usually has to be purchased separately,
according to Farmers.com.
Flooding At Shorelines
Mortgage lenders usually force homeowners living near shorelines to have federal flood insurance,
according to Reuters. So you're likely covered if you don't own your home outright and you live near a shoreline.
Federal Disaster Areas
Even when a federal disaster area is declared, assistance comes in the form of loans that often have to be repaid, according to
the Washington Post.Anti-Concurrent Causation Clauses
Many insurance policies do not cover damage caused my multiple sources, like wind and flooding,
according to Reuters.Cars
Generally, damage to cars caused by falling trees and flooding is only covered by comprehensive insurance, not by liability insurance,
according to Fox Business.Renters