Does the flood policy allow for content manipulation. Any thoughts?

It would be part of the building loss if extra labor was needed for access to work, just like muck out.

That's my opinion of contentent manipulation. Many adjusters think that if there is not contents coverage than they can not pay for content manipulation.

Our WYO flood clients only allow for contents manipulation if they carry contents coverage.  Cost to move contents around the house (not to storage facilities) is paid under the building coverage but we can not include it in our estimates if homeowner has not bought contents coverage.

In addition contents in non-covered areas (basements, lowest floors of elevated structures in high hazard zones) are never covered for manipulation.  If a basement full of contents floods, there is no coverage to remove the contents debris even if insured has contents coverage.

It pays not only to know the policy but how NFIP interpets it....

 

"its just like muck out" (was the wordsI used) in a building/dwelling that does not have contents coverage the "debris would co-mingled with the muck".  The carpet/unfinished floor is beneath. This is the starting point of most flood losses and if you did not use the phrase"content manipulation" and softer words like "debris mired in muck". This describes the necessary operation.

I can also think about a commercial policy that has contents on ever sf of a floor that was compromised by the flood water that was not a basement situation that the load had to removed to repair the flood damaged floor that was supporting this load.

In a dwelling claim it would pose problems on wet capet type claims, as carpet layers/contractors do not charge extra to move furniture on the floor. 

This flood coverage is foreign to me.  So it raises a question...what if someone else's property becomes debris in your lower level?   For instance, flood waters bust out the daylight windows on a raised ranch and 250 drowned turkeys flow in.   Debris removal covered? 

Mike,
Since this is someone else's property, it is debris and is removable under the building. In H. Floyd in N.C I had pigs floating into homes. That was really bad. I had to use a respirator, rubber gloves, boots and a shovel. Yuk!
This coverage is available in a basement and an elevated building.
Wally

The flood policy can sometimes feel like it was written on a different planet (actually, it was - Congress!). Differrent WYO's handle claims differently. Your flood adjusting vendor will instruct you on how best to handle their specific claims.

We just heard NFIP is now requiring adjusters to turn in copies of all scope notes with their closing reports. We have a call into the main man to confirm. This new task has been mentioned in more than one flood certification class so far this year. Not a big deal, adjusters just scan it into their SIMSOL or whatever software and print them with all the other required documents. Adjusters working with tablets, PDA's, phones, etc. have no "scope notes" to turn in so they are exempt (I would guess).

Just got back from the NFIP meeting in San Antonio with 5 GA's from NFIP.  You WILL attach your scope notes to the files - NO EXCEPTIONS.  The same question was asked about working with pads and notebooks and we were told to print out the notes.  I have never seen an adjuster not write down notes on the back of the Loss Notice or a folder.  I guess if it is in your brain you will have to put it in the file.

I can assure you, the feds have something in mind. If your scope notes are not in order or your estimate varies from the notes, they will be on you like a ton of turtles. I suspect if they have problems with a claim, they want your hide hung out, not theirs. The bureaucracy is heavy in NFIP work, now controlled by THE big agency. I cannot fathom why else they would need your notes, other than, they do have something in mind. Not like we have enough to do with all the reports and forms to fill out, now we have to scan scope notes, reducing our production. Better make sure you call the insured on a timely basis, keep your appointment and on time, and dot every i. NFIP is no longer to be trusted my friends. They are looking for pawns, US.

 

The contents manipulation goes on the contents in flood. This response indicates there was no contents coverage so the will not have contents manipulation. This was changed a few years ago.