How to Maximize Your Water Damage Claim

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Central Austin Professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and will respond quickly to a restoration emergency.

Don't get caught holding the financial bucket when it comes to water damage and your insurance company.

If Disaster Strikes, Get the Most from Your Water Damage Claim

As if having your floors, furniture and other belongings damaged by water isn’t stressful enough, having your water damage claim denied makes an already nerve-racking experience that much worse. The words water damage can cause anxiety in any homeowner.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year.

To make sure you get the coverage you’re owed, we’ve compiled a list of steps on how to maximize your water damage claim.

Read your insurance policy now, before a water disaster strikes.

Some people assume that their homeowners insurance will cover all types of damage to their home caused by water. This is not always the case. One of the first things to know is the difference between flood damage and water damage and what type of coverage you have.

The main difference between a flood claim and a water damage claim is where the water comes from. With flood damage, the water comes from a natural source (heavy rains and/or rising waters such as from a hurricane or other weather event) and affects two or more properties (you, your neighbor and others in your area).

Water damage is caused by things like a burst pipe, tub or toilet overflow, a leaking dishwasher, or a broken appliance hose. If you’re dealing with water in your house but your neighbor doesn’t have any issues, you are most likely dealing with a water damage claim. Most homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage. They don’t, however, cover flood damage.

Flood insurance is a separate policy from your homeowners insurance.

If you do not currently have flood insurance, but you are concerned about your risk of flood damage, learn more about purchasing flood insurance and filing flood claims at https://www.floodsmart.gov/.

Contain the water damage! Trying to mitigate the water damage should be priority number one. If you have a plumbing leak, turn off the water to the house. Is your roof leaking? You can put a tarp up to temporarily block the rain.

If you aren’t able to stop or control the incoming water, you’ll need to hire a professional, such as a plumber, asap.

Contact a trusted water remediation company

When you’re dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of damage. A reputable company such as SERVPRO of East Central Austin will be fully staffed 24 hours a day and will be ready to come to your home to help control the situation.

Also be sure to contact your insurance agent or company to gather vital information on how to get the claims process started to help pay for repairs. The sooner you call the better.

Consult with a public adjuster

Public adjusters help you maximize your insurance claim and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. These professionals aren’t tied to any insurance company, whereas adjusters sent by the insurance company are, and they’ll naturally try to minimize the insurance company’s payout.

Hiring a public adjuster makes sense especially if your claim is large. A public adjuster will walk you through the water damage insurance claims process. They’re certified professionals who know the industry and they’re the best way to ensure your water damage insurance claims are covered.

Document, document, document

Your insurance company will need evidence to assess your claim. Capture the extent of the damage in photos or on video. Take photos of all of the damage, and also include anything that could have caused the damage, like a broken pipe or a hole in the roof.

Create an inventory of what has been damaged and include each item’s value and the estimated cost to replace it. If possible, gather receipts with dates of purchase, and the prices of the damaged contents.

Although you may be tempted, don’t throw out any damaged items yet. Collect water-damaged items and debris in plastic bins or bags so that you have physical proof for the adjuster.

Complete all the necessary paperwork

Submitting insufficient information or incomplete data is one of the most common reasons why water damage claims are denied. Be sure you fill out all the necessary paperwork and provide all requested documents, photos, etc. Contact your insurance company if you have any questions or if you get to sections that you’re unable to complete.

Hire a qualified water damage remediation company

Your insurance company may suggest or hire their own cleaners for your home. Water can cause extensive damage to your home, so you’ll want to be sure you hire a team that’s highly qualified and has vast experience. Highly trained technicians, such as those who work on the SERVPRO of East Central Austin team, will make sure to use moisture detectors, hygrometers, infrared cameras, and other advanced water restoration equipment and techniques.

We’ll also monitor the location of the water in your home and use the proper disinfectants to prevent the spread of mildew, bacteria, and fungi.

Contact SERVPRO of East Central Austin today by phone at (512) 420-9886 or online with any questions and to learn more about how to maximize your water damage claim.