4 Steps for Filing a Home Water Damage Claim

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

File a claim

4 Steps for Filing a Home Water Damage Claim

It’s probably safe to say that you don’t have a plan in place should a home flood occur; not many homeowners do. A pipe burst, leaking roof or toilet overflow are just a few water disasters that your home could face. It’s best to have an idea of what your insurance covers; obviously an insurance claim should be filed soon. But what’s the best procedure to follow? Take these steps to minimize damage and get your home and life back to preloss condition as soon as possible:

1. Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible so that they can send an adjuster to your home in Desert Uplands, AZ, to asses the damage. The adjuster needs to inspect all damage before cleanup begins.

2. File a Claim

The sooner you complete and submit the claim forms, the sooner you’ll be reimbursed for the repairs. The insurance company must, by law, send you the insurance claim forms to complete within a certain time frame.

3. Schedule and Prepare for a Visit With the Insurance Adjuster

The adjuster usually needs to visit the property in person to inspect the extent of the damage. This inspection will determine the amount that the insurance company will pay. In the meantime, create a list of all the destroyed and damaged property and take as many detailed photos as possible in case any changes occur before they arrive.

4. Prevent Additional Damage

If there are temporary repairs that require immediate action to prevent additional damage (e.g., roof tarping), be sure to take photos of the damage beforehand. The insurance company requires you to take any measures necessary to keep further damage from occurring. However, they probably won’t pay on non-emergency damage cleanup that’s begun prematurely.
Water damage is not something to take lightly, so it’s good to know how the insurance claim process works should the unthinkable happen. Choose water damage cleanup professionals to complete the restoration as quickly as possible.