x
Breaking News
More () »

The road was closed, but you drove around it. Will insurance pay if your car is damaged by flood waters?

'We insure stupid all the time' says one insurance agent.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — If there's a 'road blocked' sign and a driver decides to go around it and gets stuck, are they covered by their insurance company?

"Yeah, this isn't the nicest thing I say but I say it from time to time we insure stupid every day. Whether you drove through the floodwater or not, you are insured by your auto insurance policy. If you have comprehensive, not just liability," said Christopher Cook of Alliance Insurance Services.

The key here is the Comprehensive Coverage. If you don't have it, you are paying everything out of pocket. 

DOES INSURANCE COVER FLOOD WATER IN YOUR HOUSE?

"A flood is specifically excluded in your homeowner's policy. So you would have to have purchased a flood insurance policy, at least 30 days ago for there to be coverage there. If not, you're on your own. FEMA has some grants, but that's the best that the insurance industry can offer you," said Cook. 

WHO PAYS WHEN A TREE FALLS ON YOUR HOUSE?

When it comes to wind damage, like from a tree falling on your house, that is covered by your homeowner's policy. Who pays for the damage? The short answer is, if your property is damaged, you are the one paying. It doesn't matter if the tree came from your property or your neighbor's property. 

DOES INSURANCE COVER A LEAKY ROOF?

"The damage to the interior will most likely be covered by insurance. The missing shingles that have been there for six months are not going to be covered by insurance. No. if that damage has happened multiple times over the last six months, no, it's not gonna be covered. If this time is the first time then yes, the interior damage would most likely be covered," said Cook. 

    

Before You Leave, Check This Out