Water Damage Insurance Claim Tips: Important Steps

It is critical to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible when your home experiences water damage. A water damage claim can prevent you from bearing sole financial responsibility and provide the means to address your water leak quickly.

Steam Smart Pro offers Tucson, AZ, professional water damage restoration services and can help with your cleanup. However, you should take the first step and file immediately. Read about eight water damage insurance claim tips to make filing with your insurance company easier.

1. Determine the Source of Your Water Damage

The first step is to know why water damage is occurring in the first place and the source of the problem. You might need to turn off your main valve if this will stop water from flowing to the damage-causing area. You can opt to invest in an automatic valve shutoff mechanism and leak detection tools before disaster strikes.

2. Know the Causes of Water Damage

There are multiple types of water damage of which you should be aware. Knowing the differences helps you provide your insurance company with the most accurate details. These are:

• Flooding
• Severe weather or storms
• Sewer overflow or backup
• Unexpected or accidental leaks (drain leaks, pipes, or sinks)

Whether each cause or circumstance is covered varies based on your insurance company. It also depends on your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Gradual Damage

Any of the above issues can cause gradual damage, which insurance companies often view as the homeowner’s responsibility. If someone has water damage in their home and neglects to address it, severe and worse damage may occur, and their insurance company may not cover it.

3. Document All the Damages

Whether you face gradual or immediate damage, you must carefully document everything related to your claim. Show evidence of harm with clear, time-stamped, and dated photos and videos and compile them before sending the information to your insurance company. Some may try to find loopholes to avoid coverage and push back against your claim, so keep as much proof as possible.

4. Immediately Speak to an Independent Insurance Agent 

You won’t want to delay speaking to an insurance agent, but an independent one can help ensure you get a fair deal. You should be able to reach them through a hotline operating 24 hours a day. Working with a good agent is critical because they serve as your representative for the insurance company, helping you negotiate and get the most favorable results.

It is good to speak directly to your agent, as they should hear firsthand about your claim to serve your best interests.

5. Quickly File Your Claim

You should file your claim as soon as water damage occurs for a quicker resolution. This is one of the most vital water damage insurance claim tips.

Insurance companies do not always process claims quickly, but it takes time to verify the information. The longer you wait to file, the longer the company will take to assess the damage and accept your claim. 

They may even deny your claim if too much time has passed since the incident. After water damage, you might experience mold or mildew, bringing another set of problems.

6. Clean Up What You Can

Clean up what you can recover, but only if it’s safe. Try to prevent further damage in your home with towels, by using a wet vac, or by moving belongings from room to room. It is best to delegate most tasks to a professional water damage restoration business, so call them after you have done everything you can.

Do not put yourself, others, or your home at risk attempting to clean your residence. There may be mold, electrical wires in the water, or health hazards.

7. Schedule Water Damage Restoration and Cleanup Services

Scheduling water damage restoration and cleanup services ensures professionals will pump excess water and remove it from the affected areas properly and safely. They may also have to remove and clean mold and mildew in addition to the water damage. They use their equipment to safely clean and address the water-damaged areas, but you may hire a different company for other contracting services based on specialty.

It doesn’t hurt to obtain multiple quotes from numerous water damage restoration and mold remediation companies in your area. Some businesses overcharge and take advantage of the fact that you need immediate removal and cleaning services.

Verify a company’s credentials, ensure they are licensed and insured, and read customer testimonials to see their business practices before signing a service contract.

8. Make Preparations To Leave Your Home (If Needed)

You might not need to leave your home because of water damage, but you should prepare for the possibility. Your home may not be safe until a business executes proper cleanup and deems it habitable. It could be unhealthy and dangerous for you and your family to stay put.

Your residence may experience mold spores, flooding up to your waist or chest, and the potential for electrocution, so consider staying with friends, with family, or at a hotel nearby. You may be able to receive assistance from your insurance company for lodging and dining, so speak to them right away about it.

You should save your receipts and work with your insurance company to determine what you must pay out of pocket and what they will cover.

Contact Steam Smart Pro for Water Damage Restoration Services

Steam Smart Pro can help you clean up after water or flood damage, completely removing the water, cleaning the space, and salvaging as many belongings as possible. We hope these water damage insurance claim tips will help you obtain the best outcome with your insurance.

Learn about the dangers of untreated water damage and contact Steam Smart Pro for a safe, simple, and stress-free water damage restoration service. Call us today at 520-416-4308 for an appointment in Tucson, AZ, and see how we can restore your space to clean, healthy, and working order.

Author Bio:

Eric Bullard

The owner of Steam Smart Pro in Tucson, AZ, brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in the field of carpet, tile, and air duct cleaning. With a strong dedication to quality and a deep understanding of effective cleaning techniques, Eric consistently delivers outstanding results to his satisfied residential and commercial clients.