What Flood IS:
FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program [NFIP] policy defines “flood: as a "general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or two or more properties (at least one of which is your property) from: overflow of inland waters, unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source, and mudflows.”  Flood is not covered by Homeowner’s and Business policies. Flood damage is only covered by National Flood Insurance Program [NFIP] or in rare cases, Excess Coverage. But wait! Don’t despair. Read on.

What people THINK “flooding” is:
“Flooding” to most home and business owners is often very different from the definition above. When a water line fails and fills your basement with water, most people would reasonably say that their “basement “flooded”.  That’s why, when you called your insurance agent or insurance company CSR, they will tell you that flood isn’t covered - and technically, they’re right.

The Good News! [for most of us]:
CSRs aren’t insurance contract experts and don’t know what the insuring agreement actually says. And, just as often, insurance companies don’t train their CSR’s to volunteer to you, when you call them, that you may not actually have a flood but instead, a “sudden and accidental discharge of water[...] from within a plumbing, heating, cooling system.

That's right! A failed plumbing line, broken water heater tank, damaged sump pump discharge line… all of these things are covered by the standard home or business owners policy! So, whether your basement was “soaked”, “filled”, “flooded” or “inundated” with water - you may still be covered by your Homeowners or business insurance.

Note: Back-up of sewers and drains require a specific Back-up of Sewers and Drains coverage endorsement.FWR understands and documents these sorts of claims so that an improper denial for flood damage doesn’t happen to people who don’t really have a flood. Once a “flood” claim has been denied, that information not only gets submitted to third-party reporting agencies like A-Plus, CLUE and PILR but, it also stands in the way of the insurance company changing their minds when you learn that the common meaning of the word “flood” is actually a term-of-art in the insurance industry. 
If you have actually suffered a flood loss, FWR can help with that too, whether you have flood insurance or not. 
Disclaimer: FWR Professionals, Div. is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or claim advocacy services. If you have questions about your policy language or the interpretation thereof, please review your insuring agreement and all endorsements with your insurance broker and/or retain the services of a competent attorney specializing in insurance matters.