Many metro Detroit homeowners are learning the fine print oftheir insurance policies after this week's heavy rains and floods,and are facing the harsh reality that they aren't covered for theirflooded basements.

Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurancepolicies, and most flood insurance doesn't cover objects inbasements including TVs, computers, sofas, and refrigerators.Common federally backed flood insurance will cover a basement'sfoundation walls and drywall and major appliances like furnaces,but not flooring, regardless of how the water got in.

Much of the basement flooding experienced by Detroit-arearesidents this week is from sewer backups due to the flashflooding. The Detroit Free Press reports that towns and cities areinviting residents to file damage claims with the municipalitieswithin a 45-day deadline. In some instances, municipalities can beresponsible for damages that resulted from a backup, especially ifit occured as a result of faulty infrastructure.

Jim Fouts, mayor of the city of Warren, Mich., one of the citiesinviting residents to file basement flood claims, told the DetroitFree Press that “every claim will be evaluated on an individualbasis.”

Read more from the Detroit Free PressHERE.