Did water enter the house or car? Find out which steps you cannot miss to receive flood insurance compensation

Floods caused by heavy rain or extreme weather events always raise the same immediate question: is it possible to take out insurance and be compensated for damage to your home or car? The answer is yes, but only under certain conditions, which depend directly on the type of insurance contracted and the coverage included in the contract.

Whenever an episode of intense precipitation occurs with material damage, insurance coverage should be one of the first concerns. However, not all insurance automatically covers losses caused by floods, which makes it essential to understand, on a case-by-case basis, what is effectively protected.

According to Ekonomista, a website specializing in economics, coverage of natural phenomena is not mandatory in most contracts and only applies when it is expressly provided for in the conditions of the policy, whether in home or car insurance.

Flooding at home: what home insurance covers

In the case of housing, it is important to start by distinguishing the types of insurance that exist. If you own an apartment, the law only requires you to take out fire insurance, which covers damage caused by fire, explosion or lightning strike, both in the apartment and in the common parts of the building.

This mandatory insurance does not, as a rule, cover damage caused by floods. According to Ekonomista, this protection only exists when the owner opts for multi-risk insurance, which is optional and more comprehensive.

Multi-risk insurance may include, in addition to property coverage, protection for the contents of the house and civil liability. Among the most common additional coverages are floods, storms, electrical risks, theft and robbery.

Therefore, if you have multi-risk insurance with coverage for natural phenomena, you can report damage caused by floods, broken pipes or infiltrations resulting from heavy rain to the insurer, as long as these situations are covered by the contract.

What if the car is caught in a flood?

In the car, the logic is similar. The only mandatory insurance is civil liability, which only covers damage caused to third parties and does not protect the vehicle itself against natural phenomena.

According to the publication, only drivers who have taken out additional coverage, such as personal damage or protection against natural phenomena, can claim insurance in the event of flooding.

These optional coverages may cover damage caused by storms, floods, landslides, earthquakes or other natural events. Without them, losses to the vehicle are entirely the responsibility of the owner.

How and when to apply for insurance

Currently, most insurance companies allow you to report a claim online, which simplifies the process. Participation must be made within the period stipulated in the contract or, in the absence of such indication, within a maximum of eight days after becoming aware of the accident.

According to , the communication to the insurance company must clearly describe the circumstances of what happened, including date, time, probable causes and a detailed list of the damage verified.

Tests make a difference in the process

Collecting evidence is an essential step. Photographs and videos of the damage, both to the home and the car, help to support participation.

If firefighters or other entities intervene, it is advisable to request a report of the incident. Testimonies and contacts from third parties can also reinforce the proof of the accident.

Despite the temptation to quickly dispose of damaged goods, the website explains that damaged objects should be kept until expert assessment. If urgent repairs are required, invoices should be kept for later reimbursement.

What happens after participation

After receiving the report, the insurer sends an expert to assess the damage and calculate the amount of compensation. In flood situations, this process may take longer, as some damage only becomes visible days later.

The insurer generally has up to 30 days to complete the analysis and present a compensation proposal, which may take the form of direct payment or repair works, depending on the contract and the extent of the losses.

In these cases, understanding in advance what is and is not covered by insurance can make all the difference when water enters where it shouldn’t.

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