Business Flood Insurance
Business Flood Insurance
Natural disasters can be devastating to businesses. While damage caused by some types of natural events-such as lightning or wind will usually be covered by business property insurance, you need a special policy if you want protection from flood damage. The following Questions & Answers (Q&A) will help you understand this type of coverage.
Q. Does my commercial property insurance include flood coverage?
No. Damage from flooding, including flooding generated by hurricane-generated storm surge, typically is not covered under a standard commercial policy, including a Commerical Package Policy or a Business Owners Policy. Flood insurance is available from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Q. What does flood insurance cover?
Flood insurance covers damage to your building and contents caused by flood. This includes losses resulting from water overflowing rivers or streams, heavy or prolonged rain, storm surge, snow melt, blocked storm drainage systems, broken dams or levees, or other similar causes. To be considered a flood, waters must cover at least two acres or affect two properties. Generally if water comes from above-for instance from rain or melting snow overflowing gutters and leaking onto your inventory-you’ll be covered by your standard commercial property insurance.
Q. What isn’t covered by flood insurance?
Property outside your building generally will not be covered. For instance, landscaping and septic systems will not be covered. In addition, flood insurance will not cover damage to your business vehicles, but t his can be included in t he optional “comprehensive” portion of your business vehicle insurance. Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of insured property are also not covered.
Q. Do I have to purchase flood insurance?
If your commercial property is located in a high-risk flood area and you have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, you are required to purchase a flood insurance policy.
Q. How do I determine my risk for flood damage?
Location is the most important factor for weighing your risk for flood damage. Is your business located in or near a flood zone? (Flood map search tools can be found online.) In what part of the building is your businesses equipment and inventory located? Anything housed on a lower floor, for instance, will be at greater risk.
Q. How long does it take to get flood coverage?
Typically, there’s a 30-day waiting period from date of purchase before your policy goes into effect. Do NOT wait. Buy Flood insurance today before the storm.
Q. Does my flood policy cover mold?
Damage from mold and/or mildew resulting from the after-effects of a flood is covered, but each case is evaluated on an individual basis. Mold/mildew conditions that existed prior to a flooding event are not covered, and after a flood, the policyholder is responsible for taking reasonable and appropriate mitigation actions to eliminate mold and mildew.
Q. How much flood coverage can I get?
Our Commercial Insurance advisers can help you determine the right amount of flood insurance specific to your business. Business flood insurance provides up to $500,000 of coverage for your building and up to $500,000 for its contents.
30-Day Waiting Period
There’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the policy goes into effect. Don’t to wait until a storm is coming or the rivers are rising before thinking about flood insurance — by then it’s too late.