How to File A Water Damage Claim

Water damage claims are the most common type of property insurance claims. Burst pipes, frozen pipes, a faulty appliance, sink damage, and more – there are many factors that could cause water damage to your residential or commercial property.

Managing a water damage claim can be tricky. JF Public Adjusters set out this simple guide to help you.

Water damage can happen anywhere at any moment. Property damage from water puts your investment at risk. Depending on the nature of the loss, these events are typically quick and unexpected, and the damages can be difficult to identify.

In the property insurance industry, water damage is the most common type of claim. Most property insurance policies will include coverage for typical water losses such as frozen pipe breaks, broken pipes, appliance leaks, sewage backups, and water entering via openings in roofs and other elevations of a building as a result of heavy or driven rain. The language of the policy can be complicated and confusing for people who haven’t handled an insurance claim before.

If water damage occurs suddenly or accidentally, homeowners insurance policy will pay for it. In other words, you couldn’t have known it would occur. However, when water damage is the consequence of poor home upkeep or negligence, it is not covered.

For any property owner, interacting with your claims adjuster during a claim can be difficult. A claims adjuster’s goal is to process claims as swiftly as possible and, in many situations, to make your claims payment as low as possible. Compared to the insurance company’s employees, you’re already at a clear disadvantage in terms of insurance expertise. The process of loss adjusting can be extremely technical and affects how the settlement is calculated. It is in your best interest to have an experienced public adjuster guiding you to secure reasonable compensation for your loss.

You should immediately contact your insurance provider to report the damage. A claims adjuster will reach out to you with the necessary paperwork and will request photos of the damage. The longer you wait to file a claim, the longer it will take for the claim adjuster to evaluate the damage and approve your claim.

The single most crucial step you must take following a water loss is to start appropriate emergency mitigation. Failure to do so may result in your claim settlement being reduced or your claim denied.

To stop water from flowing, locate its source and take reasonable action. Hire a reputable water damage cleanup company if necessary. The water supply lines connect the water meter to the house, and because they are buried in the ground, leaks in the supply lines are frequently challenging to locate. Sometimes standing water around the meter itself or water pools where the line rises from the ground to enter the home might be used to find leaks. Finding drain leaks can be challenging since they are frequently concealed from view.

Drying and removal should start right away. How you handle water loss in the first 24 hours can make a big difference in the result of your water damage claim. If you need emergency repairs done to your property right away, do it instead of waiting for a claims adjuster because it will cause worse damage. However, you shouldn’t try to do repairs that are beyond your skill level or that pose a risk to your safety.

The issue of puddle water needs to be taken care of right away. Electricity may need to be turned off because electrical outages are frequent during occurrences like water damage. Use daytime to complete this for safety. In addition to the immediate risk that standing water poses, even an inch of standing water can result in wet sheetrock, floors, and other materials. The longer it remains wet, the deeper it can seep. Microbes may flourish in different types of water. You may need to negotiate with your insurance provider to have special cleaning services to lessen ongoing damages.

It’s common to feel anxious or tense after a water damage occurrence, which makes it difficult to take action. However, obtaining the compensation you deserve depends on being able to prove the extent of water damage on your property. Note that loss from water damage extends beyond the items that become wet.

Any personal property that has to be cleaned or replaced should be photographed. Additionally, items kept in cabinets or drawers with mold growth need to be professionally cleaned. You may be eligible for compensation for such costs. Make a list of damaged personal property. Include any receipts, the date of purchase, and the price. Count the objects you take out and sort them into salvageable items and things that should be thrown away. Your claims representative can assist you with this. Wait to dispose of any damaged goods until you have spoken with your claims representative.

Keep all receipts including receipts for lodging, food, and other costs in case your home is unsafe or irreparably damaged and you need to be paid. Loss-of-use coverage for these expenses is generally included in homeowners insurance policies.

The next step in the claim process is that the insurance provider will send a field adjuster to visit the damaged property to inspect it, take pictures, and inquire about any concerns they might have regarding the incident and the damage. The adjuster will evaluate the situation and decide what is covered by the policy provisions and if you are entirely or partially responsible for the damage. You must remember that the field adjuster works for the insurance company.

We strongly discourage you from attending an inspection with an insurance adjuster without your own public adjuster on site.

Following the inspection, the insurance company’s adjuster will prepare their estimate of the cost of repairs and replacement. Most of the time, the insurance company’s estimate is much less than the actual cost to repair and replace damaged items.

To protect your interests, you should hire your own adjuster. They are pros at understanding insurance contracts, building codes, and the claim process.

To ensure you get the maximum compensation for your loss, they will attend your home to assess the damage and deal with the insurance provider on your behalf to avoid time-consuming calls and exchanges. In some cases, the process of an insurance claim takes months. The public adjuster will remain responsible on your behalf and serve as your advocate. The final settlement decisions, nevertheless, will always be yours. Your public adjuster will negotiate your settlement, but you, the policyholder, will have the final say on what amount to accept.

Public adjusters are the only adjusters that can represent you, the insured, in an insurance claim. Public adjusters are trained and experienced in loss adjusting, the claim process, and negotiating the best settlement for their clients.

JF Public Adjusters has a team of skilled, committed, and professional public adjusters ready to provide you with the best service possible so that you can receive the maximum settlement for your claim.