How To Maximize Water Damage Claim
Water damage is a serious issue. When water leaks from a sink or dishwasher, it can ruin floors and baseboards if left untreated. In the event that water damage has occurred in your home or office, hiring a damage restoration company near you can help make the process of getting the insurance company to cover flood damage easier.
Water Damage Claim Process
Using an independent contractor to handle the flood damage may result in faster cash settlements from your insurance provider. The quickest way to get paid is by filing a claim with your insurance company yourself, but hiring an outside party will allow you to rest easy knowing that they are working on your behalf.
First Step:
Finding a certified and licensed damage restoration company. Because the jobs they do are so varied, you need to find a water damage company that specializes in insurance restoration. You should ask for proof of bonding and licensing before giving the contractor access to your home or business.
Second Step:
The next step is packing up any items that may be contaminated with mold or other hazardous materials. When working with an independent contractor, they will take photos of all damaged areas and your belongings so that you can prove the water damage.
Third Step:
During the drying process, your water damage restoration company will use daily temperature readings and relative humidity percentages for your insurance company.
Fourth Step:
The next part of that process is to contact your insurance company and file an official water damage claim. You will need to request all documentation from the contracting company detailing what work was done and how much it cost.
This is where the documentation that was collected by your water restoration company comes in handy. Keep this information until your insurance claim is approved! This information will help expedite the claims process with your agent.
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Hire Licensed Restoration Company
Make sure that you select an independent contractor who can provide documentation about what work was completed, where mold was found, and how much the job cost. This should be clearly stated on invoices so there are no misunderstandings between you and your insurance provider.
By selecting a licensed water restoration company, you won’t have to worry about the entire claims process-instead, just sit back and wait for your check!
Unlicensed restoration companies can create a lot of problems when it comes to processing your claim, so make sure that you hire one with proper credentials before any work begins!
Our best tip: Never use insurance company vendors for water damage
It would be hard for you to get an objective opinion from them though because they work for your insurance company. Insurance companies are in the business of getting out of claims whenever possible, so they will be incentivized to work against you when hiring their approved vendors.
Instead, hire an independent company that is not beholden to any specific insurance carrier. This ensures that your water damage claim isn’t delayed or mishandled because of a vendor conflict.
Types of Water Damage That A Homeowners Insurance Cover
Sometimes water damage occurs quickly and floods a home in only an hour or two. However, other times it’s not so obvious. For example, may discover that your insurance policy does not cover water damage after the fact when you notice mold developing weeks or months later. Here is a list of common types of water damage that may be covered by your insurance:
- A malfunctioning toilet (floods within five minutes)
- Leaky washing machine hose
- Leaky hot water heater
- Leaking refrigerator line
- Water from a burst pipe in the wall or foundation, or indoor sprinkler system malfunction.
- Leaky roof
Water damage from a flood or natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods may not be covered by your policy and you should purchase additional insurance for this type of risk.
A good rule of thumb to remember is that if it involves water, drain, or sewer systems-it will likely be excluded from coverage with standard homeowners policies!
How To Avoid Getting Your Insurance Claims Denied
First of all, buy the best insurance policy you can afford for your home. A typical policy will provide coverage if a pipe breaks and floods your basement, but may not cover damage from a flood outside of your home. So even if you live in an area that doesn’t flood often, it’s still important to purchase flood insurance.
- Make sure to hire an experienced water restoration company. They can help with the cleanup process and have experience documenting all of the damage to your property so that you are able to provide this information to your insurance provider.
- Keep all receipts for work completed by water damage companies, including the amounts spent. These are great pieces of documentation that will help you avoid any unnecessary delays in processing your claim!
- Don’t start cleaning up your property until you or your contractor take several photos and video evidence if possible of the damaged area. Keep these on file so that you can provide them to your insurance company if necessary.
- Hire a public adjuster, especially if you are dealing with a large water damage event. Your homeowner’s insurance company may pay a fee for this, but it is worth the extra step. The public adjuster can deal with all of the nuances and requirements necessary for filing a claim.
Protect Your Home From Future Water Damage Events
The best time to hire a water damage contractor is before disaster strikes. During this time, they can perform walk-throughs of your home or office location to identify areas susceptible to leaks and other issues that may lead to serious water damage problems down the line. Hiring a certified company now can put you ahead of the game when dealing with insurance companies for water damage later on!
If you’ve had water damage in your home or business before, take these steps to prevent future problems by being proactive:
- Check roof leaks and gutters regularly, especially after it rains.
- Make sure that all appliances in your home are in good working order and do not have any leaks.
- Clean the lint trap of both your clothes dryer and utility sink every time you use them.
- Shut off water to one fixture in your house when not in use- this is especially important when on vacation.
Mold And Mildew Prevention
Mold growth can create odors, discoloration and eventually damage your home. Many water damage companies offer mold remediation services to prevent the spread of mold or mildew after a flood or another water damage event occurs. While it may seem like a costly option, mold can cause serious health concerns down the line if it is not dealt with immediately.
- Keep humidity levels in your home under 50% to help prevent mold from forming on walls, ceilings, and floors.
- Repair any leaks as soon as possible.
- Eliminate all standing water that you can find to keep mold from growing.
- Regularly clean carpets and floors to remove any dirt, debris or dust that can contribute to a water damage problem down the line.
The best way to avoid having your insurance company denies your entire claim is by knowing what risks your home may be exposed to before they happen. If you do end up with water damage in your home due to an accident or other unforeseen event, make sure you hire a reputable water damage company before taking any steps towards cleaning up the mess on your own. This will help keep you compliant with your insurance provider and give you the best chance at getting all of the money necessary for repairs!
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Summary
Don’t risk losing money because you don’t know how to get insurance to pay for water damage.
Don’t forget about the importance of protecting your home by having the right insurance. And remember, don’t use an insurance company-sponsored water damage contractor! It’s best to go with a water damage company that is independent and not beholden to anyone’s insurance provider.
Lastly, make sure you keep receipts from your contractor for all work completed, along with photos and videos of the damaged area. These steps should help avoid delays and other problems in processing your claim!
Call one of our skilled specialists now!
If you’re stuck on finding a solution on how to get insurance to pay for water damage, give us a call now! We have all the required information and knowledge on how you can best deal with water damage so contact us now!
