What is Irreplaceable If There is Flood or Water Damage?

When you apply for renter’s insurance (because you need to be prepared for water damage if you are a renter) or homeowner’s insurance you may see the term “irreplaceable items” on the policy.  You might also see advice given on how to protect your “irreplaceable items” in case of a flood or water damage.  What are these items and what does this phrase include.

Papers and Personal Items

In many cases, your irreplaceable items include personal items and papers such as family photos and albums, personal items of jewelry, and other items that you cannot simply replace at the store.  Your family pictures cannot be replaced and many jewelry items are personal, as are family keepsakes such as your grandparents’ marriage certificate and other such heirlooms.  Keepsakes and gifts are also often considered irreplaceable.

Assets

Very valuable assets are often considered irreplaceable if they’re unique and original.  For example, artwork including paintings, portraits, ceramics, and other valuable items cannot be replaced since they’re one-of-a-kind.  Antiques are also irreplaceable since they too are original and not mass produced.  In some cases very valuable cars could be considered irreplaceable, if they’re vintage or antique models.  These types of items should be considered when you write up an insurance policy since you want to have their full value covered.

What’s Not Included

When considering what is irreplaceable, you can often easily distinguish these pieces by considering what’s not included.  For example, you may not be able to find the same exact pieces of clothing as you have in your closet but you can replace them with comparable items.  You can do the same for your furniture, mass produced artwork and accessories, appliances, and electronics.

Remember that “irreplaceable” doesn’t mean that you cannot get the same brand and model; it means that you couldn’t find something very similar to the item at a retail store, or that it is unique for some reason.

This also applies to other paperwork that can be replaced.  For example, you probably cannot get a new copy of your grandparents’ marriage certificate, but you can easily replace yours if it’s lost or damaged in a flood.  Your diploma is very important to you but it too can be replaced.  These types of papers are not considered irreplaceable.

If you’re applying for insurance then talk to your agent about what should and should not be included in your policy when it comes to your irreplaceable items.

What to Do About Flood Water Damage in an Apartment, as a Renter in Rochester, NY?

If you’re renting an apartment and it becomes flooded for any reason, what should you do and what are your rights in this case?  It’s vital to understand this so you can prepare yourself ahead of time when you rent and so you can ensure your rights are protected if this happens to you.  Flood water damage is no joke, so you need be prepared.

Renter’s Insurance

Each renter’s insurance policy is different but most don’t cover floods, especially not those that are caused by nature.  Check your policy carefully; if it does cover floods, it may be for the value of certain items only and may have a limit as to the coverage.  As with your car insurance you might also have a deductible that you first pay before the renter’s insurance kicks in to cover the rest.

Landlord’s Responsibility

When you rent an apartment the landlord has the responsibility to pay for all repairs due to flooding, including the walls, floors, doors, and mold removal as well as carpet cleaning.  He or she needs to repair and clean the apartment so that it is livable; they are not necessarily obligated to replace the carpet and doors if they can be reasonably cleaned and repaired.

Your landlord is also not typically responsible to pay for the replacement of your personal belongings unless the flood is directly caused by their negligence.  Typical breakdown of appliances and leaks are their responsibility to fix but do not make them liable for your own property.  This is why renter’s insurance is often recommended, so that you can easily replace your items.

It’s important to understand that as a renter, you should not attempt to make repairs to an apartment yourself, before or after a flood, as any damage you cause could then become your responsibility.  The landlord must make repairs inside and out as needed and according to your lease when you are renting.

Moving Out

In most cases, if the apartment is unlivable after a flood you can move out and don’t owe the landlord rent until it is repaired again.  The landlord is not typically responsible for your moving and housing costs during this time.

It’s important to know that these laws vary from state to state and there are many details about these laws that could affect your case in particular.  Consult an attorney if you’re concerned about flood damage to your belongings or apartment.