Can I get insurance for a log home? Yes. We have never heard of anyone being denied homeowner's insurance just because they owned a log home. A vast majority of our members have absolutely no problems at all getting insurance for their log home. More...

Flood Damage. When the skies opened up during their evening campfire, Jen and Jeff Morgan didn't think much of it. They simply grabbed their s'mores and headed inside. But when the rain turned torrential and continued to pound their cabin, a flash flood ensued, and their deck washed away. More...

Flood damage to your log home.

When the skies opened up during their evening campfire, Jen and Jeff Morgan didn't think much of it. They simply grabbed their s'mores and headed inside. But when the rain turned torrential and continued to pound their cabin, a flash flood ensued, and their deck washed away. Their first thought was, "Thank God for homeowner's insurance!"

But when they spoke to their insurance agent, they learned something they didn't know before: Water damage is typically covered under homeowner's insurance only if the cause of loss is due to water that is wind-borne. For example, if hurricane-force winds shattered your cabin's windows, allowing rain to blow in and soak your hardwood floors, insurance would pay.

Flood damage is only covered by FEMA

Flood damage, on the other hand, is only covered by special insurance purchased through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A flood is defined as any situation where water rises up from the surface. If a lake or stream overflows (even though it may be the result of a rainstorm) and enters your dwelling, that's flooding. Or if a levee breaks and water pours into your home, that's flooding. The freak rainstorm that demolished the Morgans' deck also is categorized as flooding because the heavy rains caused water to rise from the ground's surface.

Given that their cabin was nowhere near a moderate- or high-risk flood zone, the Morgans never considered purchasing separate flood insurance. But here's an interesting tidbit.

According to Tully Lehman, spokesman for the Insurance Information Network of California, 25 percent of claims paid for flood damage are in areas that are considered low to moderate risk. Hmmm, something to think about.

March 2006 issue of Cabin Life magazine. By Christy Heitger-Casbon.

Damage caused by freezing pipes?

It was early March and John Lazwik's family couldn't wait to spend spring break at their beloved northeastern cabin. When they stuck their key in the lock and swung open the door, however, their mouths hit the squishy floor. More...