With climate change, the truth is that natural disasters are the order of the day, especially with the occurrence of heavy rains recorded throughout the country. In fact, this situation has already caused various losses, and the yellow alert warning remains in effect for all municipalities in the country for at least today. In a country unaccustomed to this type of weather, the news of recent days has increased the concern of property owners—both companies and individuals—about what to do in this situation.
That is why SUPERCASA Notícias has put together a set of questions and answers that may help you understand in which cases you can activate your policy against these events and whether, in the event of floods, earthquakes, or storms, the damage caused can be recovered.
What are the four recommended coverages in home insurance?
1. Fire, lightning strike, or explosion policy
In the event of these phenomena, you will receive compensation for the damage caused, as this coverage is part of the basis of all policies. However, it is advisable to confirm whether it also covers water damage, as you may benefit from this if there is a burst pipe, blockage or overflow of the plumbing, or other occurrences related to wastewater.
2. Insurance covering storms, floods, demolition and debris removal, and landslides
This is also the most suitable insurance for you if your main objective is to protect your home against natural disasters, which may be more or less likely to occur depending on the region where you live and whether or not you are more vulnerable to these events. This coverage is usually included in the basic coverage of multi-risk home insurance policies.
3. Insurance against seismic events
This is optional coverage, but it guarantees compensation in the event of damage caused by volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or tsunamis. The value of this policy usually depends on the risk of seismic activity in the location where the property is located or even the age of the home itself. For example, in areas such as the Algarve or the Azores, it is generally not easy to take out this coverage, as these areas are classified as high seismic risk zones.
4. Temporary loss of use of the home insurance.
In the event of an accident covered by your insurance policy that leaves your home uninhabitable, this coverage guarantees you alternative accommodation for the period necessary to repair the property, as well as the transportation and storage of your belongings.
What does storm insurance cover?
The coverage of this insurance may vary depending on the characteristics of your policy, but, in short, it should pay for damage caused by strong winds, with speeds exceeding 90 or 100 km/h, in addition to damage caused to solid buildings located within a 5 km radius of the property. However, it does not cover damage to shutters, awnings, gates, or fences, unless the building is completely destroyed.
Can I activate coverage for flooding or damage resulting from heavy rain?
The answer is yes, including damage caused by overflowing watercourses or burst dams, provided that these reach a minimum level of 10 millimeters within 10 minutes.
Source: SuperCasa