Water Damage Claims

One in fifty homeowners will file a water damage claim every year in the United States. Of course, the people who live in states surrounded by bodies of water that have frequent hurricane warnings are more likely to file these claims. Water damage can be costly. Having just one inch of water damage in your home can cost $25,000 or more. Therefore it is essential to put the proper precautions into place with your insurance company to ensure that you are covered for water damage that can happen to your home. 

Water Damage Covered by Insurance

Most insurance companies cover some types of water damage that involves a sudden or accidental discharge of water, such as sewer backup, overflow of water, flooding, and storm-related water damage. Be sure to read the inclusions and exclusions of your insurance policy before purchasing to understand what damages are covered for your home and what damages are not covered. 

Water Damage Not Covered by Insurance

Most insurance companies will not cover water damage to your home if there has been gradual damage over time and you have neglected to fix the problem in your home. After all, you are responsible for the upkeep of your home when you are a homeowner. For example, if you have leaky faucets and the moisture runs into the wall, causing mold. If the homeowner neglects to fix the problem, their insurance company may not cover the costs of repair.

Reporting a Water Damage Claim

It is essential to word your residential insurance claim the right way to help get damages paid. Therefore, if you report that there was gradual damage occurring in your home, your insurance company will most likely, not cover your damages. Although, there are instances where your insurance company might pay out for gradual damages. For this reason, it is essential to read the exclusions in your insurance policy before purchasing to know what is covered and what is not. Then, you can understand how to properly word your claim to your insurance company and get the help you need. 

Gradual Damage Claims 

Some of the gradual damage that could be covered in your insurance company include the following: 

Mold

If you have comprehensive insurance, then you may be covered for mold. Most homeowner policies in Florida do cover instances of mold at a certain cost. If you want coverage above the amount your insurance company provides, you may have to purchase more coverage.  

Existing Insurance Claims

Let’s say you put in a claim for water damage to your home because you noticed a hole in your roof. Now, you notice a smell coming from the area of the roof that was fixed. You find out it is mold. Most insurance companies will cover this gradual damage due to the damage being done from an existing claim. 

Resulting Damage from Existing Appliances or Equipment

If the pipe or water heater breaks and causes flooding in your home, your insurance may cover the damage caused to your home but will not cover the equipment that needs to be fixed.

Denied Water Damage Claims

If you put in a water damage claim and it is denied, it is essential to call your insurance company and talk to an agent. Make sure the insurance agent gives you a complete description of why the insurance claim was denied. Knowing why the water damage insurance claim was rejected can help you understand what you can or cannot file for in the future. If you have trouble understanding why your insurance company is denying your claim or do not think they are correct, you may want to contact the right legal help to get the support you need. 

The insurance company’s job is to pay out the least amount they can for the damages caused. Many people think that when their insurance company denies their claim, there is nothing they can do. But there may be legal options you can take to ensure that you are paid for water damages made to your home. 

When In Doubt, Call the Plumber

If you think you have existing water damage to your home or are experiencing water damage, it may be wise to call a plumber to assess the situation. The plumber might give you a quote to repair the water damage that costs much less than what would happen if the problem gets worse. You must be careful, though, the small problem may get fixed, but it could lead to a bigger problem. If this occurs, be sure not to let your insurance company know about the existing problem because many insurance companies will not get you the help you deserve in that case. 

There are ways to file an insurance claim where you do not have to worry about the hassles and legalities of every little detail. Hiring experts can provide you with a seamless experience and get you back on the right track. Do not hesitate to make your claim as soon as you can. Most insurance companies need you to make the claim within 72 hours.