Water Damage Claims

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

Insurance of any kind will usually bring about a feeling of security and peace of mind; that is what “insurance” is after all, right? When purchasing a plan, whether it be homeowners, health, car, or any other kind of insurance, the buyer usually takes into consideration the monthly costs, deductibles, premiums, and other factors. This is important information to be aware of when finding a plan that best suits your needs. Oftentimes, however, we do not really think about those plans until the absolute worst has happened and we are faced with a disaster or an emergency. Much like any other insurance plan, homeowners coverage will come with stipulations and possibly those fine print lines that sometimes get overlooked. If you find yourself in a sticky situation with needing to file a claim for water damage in particular, you may understand this now more than ever.

One of the first steps in getting your mess taken care of is understanding what kind of water damage you are dealing with and what your plan covers. In order to better understand this, you can call your insurance company and they can help you not only get the claim started, but also catch you up on what is covered. It is important to note that making this initial call may be the most important step to take in the whole process, as some policies have a deadline for filing. Sometimes it may be tempting to let it go or do a quick fix because it “does not look TOO bad”, but don’t be fooled, this may cost you more in the long run. 

While sewer backup, bursting pipes, and storm-related water damage may be taken care of with your plan; you will find that the gradual water damage like a leaky roof from seepage or pipes leaking, will NOT be covered. However, if that gradual damage ends up causing major damage like a broken pipe or other extreme situations, your insurance may help with a portion of the costs. Again, this is something that you should contact your agent about for more information. 

While water damage can be overwhelming and even scary, it can be taken care of (even avoided)! If you find yourself in deep waters (pun intended), you should take that first step of making that call to your insurance company. If you are lucky enough to not have encountered this, remember it certainly doesn’t hurt to take a look at your plan again for a refresher. In addition, it may be worth your while to keep a record of maintenance that has been done over the years as well as take preventative measures to avoid water damage. Although we hope you are never faced with this kind of situation, we are here to help if you are. For any water damage restoration and cleanup give SERVPRO a call because not only are we faster to any disaster, but we can also work with your insurance company for a stress-free claims experience!