When a storm hits, the gutters in your home are designed to push any flood water away from your home, so it doesn't damage your property. But what happens if your gutters weren't correctly installed or had other issues, who's responsible for the mess? 

Multiple factors impact whether Kentucky home insurance covers flood damage from faulty gutters. An independent insurance agent can help you understand your coverage, where there may be gaps, and how you can get your home back in tip-top shape should an event occur.

Who’s Responsible If the Gutters Flood the Basement?

If your gutters were to cause flooding in your basement, determining responsibility could be difficult. More often than not, the responsibility is on the homeowner. Here are a few different scenarios where responsibility could change.

• If you failed to properly maintain your gutters, which led to the flooding, you would be held responsible for any damage.
• If your home is brand new and the gutters were improperly installed, you could choose to take legal action against the contractor, but you'd have to be able to prove they were not installed correctly.
• If you file a claim through home insurance, you may receive some coverage, but getting full coverage for flood and water damage events can be tricky.

The best way to know where responsibility lies is to start with your independent insurance agent. They can go through your coverages with you and help determine the best route for handling the claim.

What If the Gutters Weren’t Installed Right?

If you could prove that the gutters were not installed correctly in the home, you could take legal action against the contractor or company that worked on the gutters.

This can be a lengthy process, and there's no guarantee of success. Homeowners insurance will not cover damage from faulty workmanship, so you would not receive assistance from your home insurance policy. If you choose to take this route, it's best to bring in professional legal help to ensure that you follow the proper steps.

How Do Gutters Cause Indoor Flooding?

Gutters are a crucial element of keeping potential floodwaters away from your home. If they're not frequently maintained, they could crack or break and lead to severe financial destruction. 

Top 6 most common disasters leading to home flooding:

1. Broken pipes
2. Faulty drainage
3. Clogged gutters
4. Broken appliances
5. Damaged foundation
6. Natural disasters

It's recommended that you clean your gutters out at least twice a year. This can help you avoid some of these disasters. 

Top gutter issues leading to flooding:

• Clogged gutters: Clogged gutters can lead to roof and foundation damage. Both of these can be expensive to fix. Clearing your gutters of leaves and debris throughout the year can help prevent clogging.
• No splash blocks: Splash blocks direct water away from your home after it runs down the gutter's downspout. You can get water build-up, basement flooding, foundation damage, and other potentially expensive issues without splash blocks.
• Loose gutters: Spaces between your gutters and home allow water to sneak into your house during a storm. This water can lead to flooding and further damage.
• Defective pitches: The “pitch” allows water and other runoff to flow into the downspouts. A pitch that does not function properly prevents water from correctly flowing through the downspouts.
• Faulty downspouts: If your downspouts are not in the correct place or have been poorly installed, water buildup can seep into your home and cause damage. 

Whether you've recently purchased your home or have not inspected your gutters in a while, it's always a smart idea to have a professional take a look at your gutters to ensure that there are no issues.

Does Kentucky Home Insurance Cover Basement Flood Damage?

Flood damage coverage is one of the trickier areas of insurance. Several factors are considered, including the cause of the damage, what is damaged, and where in your house it occurs. Home insurance clearly states that it does not cover damage from rising natural floodwaters or damage from storm surges. 

Under your standard home insurance policy, there are a few situations where you'd likely always be covered for flood and water damage:

It'd probably be covered if your basement flooded from any of the above events. However, home insurance would not cover a basement flood caused by negligent care of gutters, rising underground water, or sewage backup. 

Some items may be excluded from coverage even when your basement is covered. This will be outlined in your policy, and you can go through the list of coverages with your agent.

What Does Home Insurance Cover in Kentucky?

Home insurance includes several coverages to protect your home, property, and personal belongings. Standard Kentucky home insurance includes the following:

• Liability coverage: Liability coverage steps in if a third party sues you for any bodily injuries or property damage. It will pay for associated costs, including legal fees and settlement fees. It will also help pay for medical bills if someone needs medical attention for an injury.
• Property damage coverage: Property damage includes contents coverage and dwelling coverage that protect the structure of the home, appliances, your personal property inside the house, and detached structures such as garages, sheds, or pools. 
• Additional living expenses coverage: Additional living expenses steps in if you temporarily have to leave your home so that repairs can be made. It only pays if the damage was from a covered peril, but it will help with hotel stays, meals, gas mileage, and other costs arising from living somewhere else. 

Several endorsements, add-ons, and additional policies are available for homeowners depending on your risks. An agent can help you get a comprehensive home insurance policy together.

What about Flood Insurance? Does That Cover All Types of Floods?

Flood insurance can be great added coverage to have in your insurance arsenal. Anytime your home or your stuff is damaged by rising waters, it's excluded from your home insurance policy, so this is where a good flood insurance policy can step in. 

Flood insurance can be purchased through private insurers or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is managed by FEMA and must be purchased through a certified insurance agent. The NFIP provides insurance for buildings, the contents in buildings, or both. 

Flood insurance will not cover damage from sewer back-ups, busted pipes, clogged gutters, or other events that aren't considered to be damaged by rising waters. Your home and flood insurance policies will clearly outline what events are covered. 

Why Work with a Kentucky Independent Insurance Agent?

As you can see, damage from flooding can be a complicated insurance topic. Fortunately, Kentucky independent insurance agents are experts in coverages and will know exactly what you need to keep your home safe. 

After speaking with you, free of charge, an agent will shop multiple policies to provide you with some options. They can guide you in your decision-making process as well. Work with a local agent to get protected today.