One common question we get on National Flood policies is, "What is covered in my basement?" Below is some information that will help answer your flood insurance questions or call Your Friends in the Insurance Business, at 989-835-6701.
***Remember, there is a big difference between water back-up and flood coverage. Water back-up is water that comes in through a drain like a sump crock, sink or toilet. Flood coverage is water that comes in through another avenue like a window or door during a flooding event.***
Scope of Flood Coverage for Basements
A Basement is: "Any area of the building, including any sunken room or sunken portion of a room, having its floor below ground level (subgrade) on all sides." If it is determined a basement exists, coverage and recovery rights will be restricted to the following:
Elements Covered Under Building Coverage A:
Any of the following items, if installed in their functioning locations and if connection to a power source is necessary for operation:
1. Central air conditioners;
2. Cisterns and the water in them;
3. Drywall for walls and ceilings in a basement and the cost of labor to nail it, unfinished and unfloated and not taped, to the framing;
4. Electrical junction and circuit breaker boxes;
5. Electrical outlets and switches;
6. Elevators, dumbwaiters, and related equipment, except for related equipment installed below the base flood elevation after September 30, 1987;
7. Fuel tanks and the fuel in them;
8. Furnaces and hot water heaters;
9. Heat pumps;
10. Nonflammable insulation in a basement;
11. Pumps and tanks used in solar energy systems;
12. Stairways and staircases attached to the building, not separated from it by elevated walkways;
13. Sump pumps;
14. Water softeners and the chemicals in them, water filters, and faucets installed as an integral part of the plumbing system;
15. Well water tanks and pumps;
16. Required utility connections for any item in this list; and
17. Footings, foundations, posts, pilings, piers, or other foundation walls and anchorage systems required to support a building.
Elements Covered Under Personal Property Coverage B:
Any of the following items, if installed in their functioning locations and if connection to a power source is necessary for operation:
1. Air conditioning units, portable or window type;
2. Clothes washers and dryers; and
3. Food freezers, other than walk-in, and food in any freezer.
Elements NOT COVERED:
Contents and personal property improvements such as finished walls, floors, and ceilings, building equipment, and fixtures not specifically covered.