Water Damage Insurance Claims

With massive amounts of the world being water, it is not surprising that large amounts of damage can come from it. Being a liquid moved by weather patterns, among other things, water and flooding cause the most amount of damage, in terms of loss, that is claimed on home insurance policies. There are many ways that water can create damage, however, meaning that it is essential to know what types of water damage are included in your insurance policy and which are not.

In most cases, homeowners insurance plans have specific exclusions listed on the policy. Plans are almost certain to have an exclusion of certain types of water damage. In addition, there are many insurance policies for homeowners out there that exclude “Acts of God.” This can include things like hurricanes and floods, which are both water-based. It is possible to get additional add-ons to cover hurricanes and floods, and those come at an additional cost to the policyholder. By reading over your policy, you will know what your water damage insurance covers and be aware of what add-ons are available so that you are better protected financially.

One of the things that can cause damage, but is not storm-related, is burst pipes. Being one of the most frequent claims that is filed, burst pipes can happen when they freeze, and for other reasons as well. By following these insurance claim tips regarding water damage claims, you can make the process as smooth as possible to get started on your repairs.

Water Damage Insurance Coverage

Water damage insurance coverage can vary from one policy to the next, so it is essential to read over your policy and understand what is covered by the plan. In situations of negligence or lack of maintenance, an insurance policy might not cover the damage. Policyholders should read over exceptions that are listed in the policy as well, as those can include things like damage from floods and damage from hurricanes. Having an understanding of what flood insurance for water damage claims covers is also essential.

There are many resources out there to help determine the risk of a home being flooded, with tools from FEMA available that have rankings. Even if you are in a lower risk area, it can be a fantastic idea to get this type of insurance plan. Areas that are at lower risk for flooding often cost less for the insurance, and floods can cause a great deal of damage. FEMA also provides guidelines that define what flooding is, which both simplify things and make them more complex when it comes to filing claims.

Another complexity when it comes to flood insurance is the distinction between mudslides and mudflow and water damage. Even though mudslides and mudflow are caused by water, they are not covered under flood insurance. Instead, these are considered earth movements, similar to landslides.

How To File An Insurance Claim

With all of these complexities, there are many people who should not be handling the entire claims process themselves. With things like flooding or water damage, a public insurance adjuster that is licensed is highly recommended. These professionals are licensed to assess the damage and are very aware of the language within insurance policies. The insurance company will have its own home insurance adjuster as well, and the company itself will generally offer a low amount, to begin with, expecting there to be negotiations. Without the right knowledge, you could end up getting less money than you should for repairs to your property for the rebuilding of your home.

To file a water damage claim, you must have coverage listed in your policy. If your policy does not cover water damage, or you do not have home coverage at all, you may have to pay for repairs out-of-pocket. With many families not being able to afford sudden and large expenses, not having an insurance policy can have drastic effects on their lives. People should also keep in mind that their vehicles are not covered by homeowners insurance, even if they are in the home's garage.

When it is time to contact the homeowner insurance provider, follow the tips below and be aware that gradual damage from water can occur. Keep in mind to take pictures of the property and to assess the damage. The water that is the cause of the flooding will need to be removed from the area. You will want to wait until this water has been removed before informing your homeowner’s insurance agent, but contacting your agent should be the first thing you do once that occurs. This should happen even before cleanup. If you have a water leak that has not been resolved, however, that should be addressed immediately if it is safe to do so to prevent more water damage from occurring.

What Is Gradual Damage?

There are a few issues that need to be addressed when it comes to insurance claims. Water is one of the things that can cause damage over time, and the damage it causes over a longer period is considered gradual damage. Gradual damage can include things like small leaks and pipes that have caused damage to walls, ceilings, or floors. These types of issues are sometimes not accepted for claims by your insurance company. In some cases, your homeowner’s insurance provider will consider the issue a long-standing problem since the damage from it was neither accidental nor sudden.

Homeowners insurance policies are designed to cover expenses related to sudden and accidental damages. There are exceptions to this rule, so it is a smart plan to communicate with your homeowner’s insurance agent who can go through the wording of your policy, and the exact details of it, with you. While gradual damage and normal wear are not included in the vast majority of policies, there are some policies that have exceptions written in. It never hurts to ask your home insurance agent when damage like this occurs.

Some of the exceptions, depending on the state and location you live in, as well as the insurance provider you use, include mold and roof damage. Some of the exceptions include residual damage from other things. Since wind damage is covered, as well as damage from lightning, if a portion of a tree falls on your house and creates a hole in your roof, that damage would be covered by your policy. Because the initial source of the damage was sudden and unexpected, if water pours to the whole and creates more damage, the water damage could be covered. If the water is not cleaned up promptly, however, and is there for a longer period of time, your insurance policy might no longer cover the damages.

In addition, many policies have mold remediation coverage, and many insurance policies cover broken pipes and appliances in their plans as an exception. While the appliance itself would not be covered, the water damage from the breakage might be. Home warranty insurance is also available, which may cover your appliances themselves.

Tips to Having Your Claim Accepted

The first step to getting your claim accepted is contacting your agent. They will want prompt written notice that states the cause of the claim, as well as the actions that have been taken to protect your property from damage further. Any repairs that you take to protect your property from further damage must be reasonable ones, and an accurate record of all repair expenses, as well as pictures of all of the damage, will help you have your claim processed quickly. Your insurance agent or company is available to answer questions as you have them. It’s their job, so take advantage and use them.