Protecting your water damage claim

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Midtown Memphis

3 Things to do to protect your water damage claim

Bursting pipes, sewage backups, or overflowing toilets, there are so many catastrophes in residential properties, which is the primary reason to pay for insurance coverage. However, as most water mitigation companies in Memphis Tn, will tell you, insurance is only part of the battle. It is tricky enough to get full water coverage, but if you do, you need to protect any claim to ensure you receive payment. There are at least three things you need to do to protect your claim.

1. Mitigate further loss
2. Call your insurer
3. Document everything

Mitigate Further Loss
When dealing with water damage, first mitigate further loss. An insurer wants to know you did everything possible to minimize the extent of the damage. For example, if you are dealing with bursting pipes, did you turn off the water supply? Or, if you have a hole in your roof, did you cover it with a tarp to prevent rain from entering the property? If you fail to implement mitigation steps, an adjuster may decline your claim.

Call Your Insurer
Call your insurer immediately after the damage occurs. Most insurance companies expect clients to call to report damage within the first 24 hours. If you wait any longer than a day, you risk the acceptance of your claim. Also, the faster you call the insurer, the sooner an adjuster is sent to your home.

Document Everything
While you may need to wait for a claims approval before you fix a broken pipe, there are likely other repairs you can make. However, document everything and keep receipts. Take pictures of the original damage to show the adjuster. If repairs cannot wait, Gather bids to prove you researched the companies before hiring.
Any home can have water disasters, like bursting pipes, but the approach to filing an insurance claim may differ from insurer to insurer. Make sure you contact your insurance company and know your responsibilities, so you avoid risking your coverage.