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Tips for Filing a Water Damage Claim with Your Insurance Company
11/13/2017 (Permalink)
Water damage is the second most frequently filed insurance claim in the United States. According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in every fifty homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing temperatures each year. The most common causes for water damage are broken pipes, faulty plumbing, and buildup in areas prone to collecting water (crawl spaces, attics, basements, etc.), defective household appliances, and malfunctioning HVAC systems. If something has caused water damage in your home, then you must begin to mitigate the damage immediately to prevent any future damages.
Follow these helpful tips when dealing with a water damage claim:
- You must stop the source of the damage immediately. If water is still flowing, then shut off the water supply to your house.
- Document everything. Take photos of the damage. Keep records of every phone call with your insurance company, including date, time, and other details.
- Save receipts. If you start any repairs yourself, then save the receipts for tools or equipment you purchase. If you need to stay in a hotel, then save receipts for the hotel and any living expenses you acquired because you were temporarily displaced.
- Do not make any permanent repairs yourself until the insurance adjuster has visited your home and assessed the damages.
- Do not throw anything away until the adjuster or insurance company has instructed you to do so.