How To File Water Damage Insurance Claims
2/10/2023 (Permalink)
Water damage is one of the most common causes of insurance claims. Water damage can also result in significant damage to your property as well as mold growth if not properly cleaned up immediately. That’s why understanding how to file a home insurance claim for water damage is so important: knowing what coverage you have on hand can help you make better decisions about filing an insurance claim if disaster strikes.
What is a water-damage claim?
Water damage is a common cause of home insurance claims. It can be caused by a number of things, including burst pipes and overflowing bathtubs. Even hurricanes can cause water damage if they flood your house with rainwater or wind-blown waves that come in through windows or doors.
If you have suffered any type of water damage to your property, it's important that you file an official claim with your insurer so they know exactly what happened and how much money they have to pay out as compensation for repairs or replacement costs.
Contact your insurance carrier.
As soon as you notice the water loss, the first step is to contact your insurance. Be ready to provide them with as much information as possible, such as your policy number. The insurance agent will open the claim and guide you through the next steps.
Fill out and submit claim forms.
Next, your insurance carrier will provide you with the necessary forms to fill out. It is important to fill out the forms with as much detail as possible.
You can submit your claim through an insurance company's website, by mail, or by phone. If filing online, make sure that all fields are filled out accurately before submitting so that no further action is necessary on your part once they receive the forms!
Make temporary repairs
It is important to make temporary repairs as soon as possible. These repairs will help prevent further damage and can be done by you or a contractor.
If you do not know how to make the necessary repairs, contact your insurance company. They will provide you with a list of contractors who are insured and qualified to perform water damage restoration services in your area.
Provide documentation.
In order to receive the proper compensation from your claim, you'll need to provide documentation. You should provide receipts for materials and services used, repair estimates, and pictures of the damage. Pictures of your property before and after the water damage will also be helpful in filing your claim. When working with a restoration company such as SERVPRO, they can take care of the entire claims process for you, including providing detailed documentation of the damage before, during, and after the repairs.
Call a Water Restoration Company
Once you have a claim number and the details of your claim, it's time to get started on repairs. The first step is hiring a company that specializes in cleaning up water damage and restoring the property. You can find these companies through an internet search or by asking your insurance carrier for a referral.
Wait for the insurance adjuster and final approval.
The insurance adjuster will review your claim once it is completed. They will make sure that they were provided with all the necessary information to process your claim. They will most likely send an insurance adjuster to your home to evaluate the damage and create an estimate of the cost involved in mitigating and restoring the damage. Once approved, the insurance company will send you a check for the estimated cost of repairing your home.
If you're unsure about whether or not your home insurance covers water damage, it's always a good idea to call your agent. They can help you understand how this type of claim works and what steps need to be taken. You should also contact your insurance company immediately after any incident where there is water damage so that they can start processing your claim as soon as possible.