For standard flood policy for home policies, I hear different opinions on if the policy covers damage to a home from Ice shelves. What is your opinion?
Wisconsin Subscriber
The standard NFIP flood form is very specific as to what it covers. It insures for direct physical loss by or from flood, and defines flood as follows:
B. Flood, as used in this flood insurance policy, means:
1. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties (one of which is your property) from:
a. Overflow of inland or tidal waters; b. Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; c. Mudflow.
2. Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined in B.1.a above.
This is not the same thing as an ice shove, where ice is shoved up on shore by winds or currents. The damage is different; you have a solid object pushing against the dwelling versus water running into the basement or lower levels. Likewise, the policy directly excludes pressure or weight of ice, freezing or thawing. If you're looking at a non-NFIP form the wording may be different. The ISO wording is very similar though, and I suspect other carriers are as well. I'm happy to look at your wording if it is different. While water and ice are the same chemically other than temperature, for policy language they are two different substances. You could possibly have both at the same time, but the flood has to meet the definition of flood in order for there to be coverage.
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU
Christine G. Barlow, CPCU, is Executive Editor of FC&S Expert Coverage Interpretation, a division of National Underwriter Company and ALM. Christine has over thirty years’ experience in the insurance industry, beginning as a claims adjuster then working as an underwriter and underwriting supervisor handling personal lines. Christine regularly presents and moderates webinars on a variety of topics and is an experienced presenter.