I don't think this has anything to do with the fact that English is your second language. My water damage claim was denied and I'm an attorney, fwiw. The insurance companies are great after a storm but otherwise, they go out of their way to deny, deny, deny.

Well, it is a critical difference whether the water source is from inside or outside of the home. Read the water backup rider carefully as it should be clear about drains in the home. Drains outside of the home are a part of the lot's drainage control. If water entered into your home due to the lot's inadequate drainage control, then that's a separate issue from "drain backup".

No advice. We had a major leak from a pipe requiring expensive repairs but insurance wouldn't cover - they said it was a "pre-existing condition." We fought to no avail. PP is right, insurance is a scam.
Good luck.

No advice, but insurance is one of the biggest scam out there. Good luck

...I say this because my insurance company just denied my water damage in my basement. I have the water backup rider that I pay extra for and Travelers told me today that they interpret this as to mean that indoor drains are covered but outdoor drains (my case) are not covered if the drain was not able to function as a drain. For me, it rained faster than the drain could handle and the water pooled at the door. They consider it surface water. Hello...is this not backed up water if the drain couldn't handle all of the water? (It was not clogged.) Am thinking of suing. Has anyone had a similar experience and won?