Covered by flood insurance? Think again

Guilford, Conn. (WTNH) - Flooding across the state has many wondering if the damage will be covered by their homeowners insurance. But more than likely, it will not.

Jennifer Badamo's Guilford basement looks more like a swimming pool.

"My grand piano is downstairs, the heat's off. I have three small children and I've got no heat in the house," she said.

David Biller, a public insurance adjuster, says her homeowners insurance does not cover floods.

"People come down and say 'I'm flooded', and I get it, but you use the word flood for insurance, you gotta use the contractual definition of a flood and this is not a flood," Biller explained.

The definition: a temporary condition of two acres of water, or two adjacent properties under water, due to an overflow of a water source.

Only if you are in a flood zone will you qualify for flood insurance. And the water must come in through a drain or sump pump failure. Even then, the news is grim.

"Even where they have it, typically the coverage is limited, $2,500 to $5,000," Biller said. "That will barely cover the costs of removing the water."

Jennifer is disappointed to hear that news.

"I would have never, ever stored anything down here if I thought that it wouldn't be covered in an event like this," she said.

If you're in a flood zone, Biller says there are a couple of things you can do: You can get your basement waterproofed and get a sump pump installed, but that may only limit the damage and the cost of flooding.