Do This To Build A Successful Water Damage Insurance Claim
Imagine this: you come home from work and find an inch of water on your kitchen floor. Your flooring is damaged, and the appliances are not functioning. Even worse, you smell mildew, meaning this water has been sitting, and there could be water damage behind your walls and drywall that could be expensive to repair.
Water damage is one of the most common home insurance claims filed by homeowners and renters in the United States. It comes second only to wind and hail damage.
Whether you’re dealing with a sudden, leaky roof after a storm, broken pipes, or another type of water leak, homeowners need to understand their insurance policy and any exclusions that apply to water damage.
Let’s look at what kind of water damage homeowners may face and what steps you should take to ensure you have everything you need for the insurance claim process.
What Are The Different Types Of Water Damage?
As you progress with your insurance claim, it’s important to distinguish the difference between floods and water damage.
Many homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding unless they purchased special flood insurance to add to their policy. This is because flood damage due to weather is considered a natural disaster.
Photo by Jim Gade
On the other hand, water damage refers to sudden and accidental damage, such as a burst pipe, but not gradual damage, such as property damage caused by a bathroom faucet leaking over time.
There are several instances where your homeowner’s insurance policy usually covers water damage, such as:
- Clogged toilet or sewer backup: Unless a faulty septic system causes your issue, water damage from a clogged toilet is generally covered.
- Water damage after a fire: Some policyholders have insurance coverage for the water damage caused by sprinklers or a fire department’s water hose.
- Heavy rain: Property damage from storms is covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy so long as you have properly maintained your home.
- Leaking roof: If a storm caused the damage, you must repair the damage in a reasonable amount of time to ensure your policy covers the water damage.
- Burst pipes: Plumbing pipes that suddenly burst are usually covered, but not if you neglect to take steps to maintain your plumbing system.
- Malfunctioning appliances: Your washing machine, dishwasher, or refrigerator can leak, leading to damaged areas, mold, and mildew buildup. Your insurance policy typically covers this sort of accidental water damage, but you should review your insurance policy today to ensure you are covered should this situation arise..
While your coverage may vary depending on your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, some kinds of water damage aren’t typically covered by a standard insurance policy.
- Flood damage caused by situations not covered in your policy.
- Water damage due to negligence or lack of home maintenance.
- Water damage from earth movement.
- Water damage from a failed sump pump.
- Intentional water damage caused by policyholders or another party.
- Property damage caused by leaks from a swimming pool or similar structures.
You must understand your insurance policy to take preventative measures to avoid a denied claim.
If you are at risk for scenarios that aren’t usually covered by a basic homeowners insurance policy, you may need to speak with an insurance agent to add additional coverage. This is the best way to protect yourself against unforeseen property damage caused by water.
If you feel you were underpaid or wrongfully denied, the best thing to do is contact a public adjuster to review your policy and claim to help you find the best course of action to get the insurance payment you deserve.
Five Ways To Build A Strong Water Damage Insurance Claim
One in fifty homeowners files a water damage claim each year. Filing insurance claims can be daunting for many policyholders. But remember, you pay your premiums monthly for this sort of protection, so you must follow the correct protocol to get the compensation you deserve.
Here are five steps you can take to make a solid water damage insurance claim that will help you repair damaged property and replace your lost valuables.
1. Stop The Leak And Find The Root Cause Quickly As Possible
Your first course of action is to stop the leak as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. This helps to prove it was indeed an accident and that you, as the policyholder, took the necessary steps to mitigate the damages.
You may need to call a plumber or professional contractor to locate and stop the leak. It’s important to do this promptly. Always save any documentation you receive from these professionals to prove to your insurance company that you took immediate action.
Once you find the root cause of the water damage, you’ll be able to review your home insurance policy to see if you’re covered. If so, file a claim after you’ve treated the affected area and prepare to pay your deductible to get the claims process rolling.
2. Remove And Protect Undamaged Belongings
Your next step is to move any undamaged property to prevent additional damage to your property. Picking out undamaged items will help streamline your claim and prevent further damage.
Sorting through damaged and undamaged belongings also helps you see what needs to be replaced so you can file an accurate insurance claim. It’s also possible you may find items that have less severe damage but still need to be repaired or replaced.
3. Document, Document, Document
After you’ve filed your water damage insurance claim, you must document the damages with photos and videos. This includes:
- Standing water since this can lead to extensive damage to your property.
- Documenting all belongings damaged by the water so your insurance company can understand the magnitude of the event.
- All property damage that you can see or that is reported by the experts you called to fix the cause of the water damage.
Additionally, you need to find documentation that proves how much you paid for your belongings, such as receipts and bank statements. You also need to verify the value they still carry and see if you have images of the items to prove you possessed them.
Your insurance company will want to know when you bought the damaged items, what you paid, and whether or not they were in the house at the time of the incident. This helps a claims adjuster determine how much water damage you’ve experienced. This documentation also comes in handy if you need to appeal a claims decision.
Photo by Don Lodge
4. Drain Standing Water And Dry The Affected Area
After taking pictures of the affected area and belongings, you must drain any standing water to prevent further damage.
You can use a portable sump pump or wet vac to remove standing water and drain it outside of your home. Depending on the extent of the water damage, you may need to call an experienced water removal company to ensure water is drained correctly from your property.
This will keep water from seeping through your floors and walls, which will cause it to spread throughout your home, causing more damage.
5. Store The Damaged Belongings And Dry Out The Area
Once you have sufficiently drained the area, you will most likely have to deal with water-logged floors and walls and a pile of damaged belongings.
Don’t throw away your items prematurely. Store them in a safe location until your insurer authorizes in writing that you can dispose of them. This is because an insurance adjuster may want to inspect the items as they investigate your claim.
Drying the area will prevent the need for mold remediation and reduce mildew odors. It also puts you on the road to recovery and, hopefully, allows you to start the healing process.
Let NeJame Claims Adjusters Help You Through The Claims Process
When you experience water damage in your home, it can be an overwhelming experience. All you want is to get back to normal as quickly as possible with our water claims services.
And while your insurance policy is there when you need it, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and your claim is underpaid, or worse, outright denied.
If this is the case, you must consult with a public adjuster to determine your rights and see if you are entitled to more compensation.
NeJame Claims Adjusting can help you with all your homeowner’s insurance claims needs. We can evaluate your policy against your damages to see if you are covered. We are here to work for you to assist you if you feel you’ve been wrongfully denied or underpaid.
Contact us today for more information on how you can recover from your recent water damage and what your insurance policy can do for you.
References:
Araj, V. (2021, November 8). Homeowners Insurance Statistics In 2022: Claims And Coverage. In Quicken Loans. Retrieved from https://www.quickenloans.com/learn/homeowners-insurance-statistics#x4
Facts + Statistics: Homeowners And Renters Insurance. (2022). In Insurance Information Institute . Retrieved from https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance
Metz, J., & Materson, L. (2022, March 2). Homeowner’s Insurance For Water Damage. In Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/homeowners-insurance/water-damage/
FAQs
How long does it take mold and mildew to grow after water damage?
Mold and mildew form within 24-48 hours of the initial water damage.
What’s the first thing I should do after water damage?
The first thing you should do is assess and document the damage for your insurance claim.
What is a deductible?
A deductible is an amount you pay before your homeowner’s insurance kicks in to cover any damages to your home.
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