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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Lauren Aratani in New York

Insurance is failing hurricane survivors: ‘People thought they were covered’

flood waters surround cars in a parking lot outside an apartment complex
Cars are flooded in an apartment complex after the arrival of Hurricane Milton on Thursday in Clearwater, Florida. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

As millions of US residents begin working to file insurance claims on their homes in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many could be denied, particularly if their homes were damaged by flooding.

A quirk in the US home insurance market is that flood insurance is separate from typical home insurance, which usually covers wind damage from hurricanes but not flooding. Homeowners must purchase flood insurance separately if they want their homes protected against flooding.

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