If you have suffered unexpected water damage, filing an insurance claim can be a complicated process. Understanding what your insurance covers and how it will be assessed will mean you can claim the maximum amount of cover that you are entitled to and won’t need to pay thousands from your own pocket.
Call a professional team to deal with your water damage emergency in Denver as soon as you notice flooding problems so that damage can be limited and documented properly for insurance. With expert knowledge you can have your emergency extraction, mapping and insurance dealt with correctly using Restoration Logistics.
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- Delaying the Initial Claim Filing and Mitigation Process
A very common reason why insurance companies will reject claims for water damage is if they were not reported straight away. Your insurance policy will have stated that you must act quickly to minimise further damage and report your loss as soon as you can.
By waiting a few days to call the insurance company or not calling a water damage emergency in Denver, your water has had time to soak into your structure. The adjuster will want to know exactly how long it took you to report the issue.
If they believe your delay caused the water damage to become severe due to water soaking into your structure or causing mold issues, you will be rejected.
- Failing to Document Evidence Before Cleanup
After a severe pipe failure or appliance breakdown, many well-meaning homeowners will want to start clearing up. This means throwing away damaged items and cleaning up any standing water. By removing damaged items, such as your carpet padding or broken pipework, you will lose all the evidence you need to prove your claim.
The insurance adjuster will want to see where the water damage originated from and how bad it was. If you remove any evidence, the adjuster will not be able to confirm your loss and you will be likely to be partly or fully rejected.
- Difference Between Sudden Damage and Gradual Neglect
Your insurance policy will only cover sudden water damage. This could be a bursting high pressure supply line or sudden failure of your water heater. Damage from slow leaks will not be covered.
If the adjuster comes to look at your property and sees signs of old rot, rusty pipe fittings or old water damage they will deem it owner negligence. Homeowners who don’t carry out regular maintenance will often find out too late that their insurance won’t cover them for water damage caused by slow leaking from their pipework or old materials.
- Incomplete DIY Extraction and Structural Drying
Using domestic box fans, vacuum cleaners and towels can cause issues and lead to your claim being rejected. This equipment just doesn’t have the power to remove water from under your floorboards or thick walls. Any leftover moisture will start mold growing within 24-48 hours.
You may then find your insurance company won’t pay out for any mold damage or collapsed drywalls as they could be seen to use improper drying methods. You have to work with certified technicians so they can use industrial air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers to fully dry your structure.
- Distinction Between Standard Water Damage and Flood Water
Many people assume that their home insurance will cover them for any water damage, including flooding. However, a standard home insurance policy will only cover you for damage caused by water inside your property, such as a pipe failure.
It will specifically not cover you for flood damage from surface water. To cover outdoor water damage you would need a flood insurance policy. If you make a claim for surface water damage on a standard policy, you will be instantly rejected. It is important to know what caused the water damage.
- Throwing Away the Failed Plumbing Appliance
If you have suffered a large amount of property damage due to a broken valve, faulty washing machine hose or cracked water heater, the broken item is very important. The insurance company will often look to subrogate from the manufacturer of the faulty item.
By throwing away your faulty hose or valve you are losing your insurance company the chance to hold the manufacturer responsible. The adjuster may also say that without the physical item there is no way to confirm it was a sudden failure. Always keep the broken item in a safe container so the adjuster can view it.
- Permanent Repairs Before the Adjuster Inspects the Damage
Whilst it is essential to carry out emergency mitigation to prevent further water coming in, carrying out permanent repairs before the adjuster has seen the damage is a big mistake.
By repairing your drywall, flooring or repainting your walls, the adjuster will not be able to see how much work was needed. This will mean they will offer you a much smaller payout. Emergency mitigation should only involve stopping the water, extracting the standing water and setting up your drying equipment.
- Inaccurate Statements to Claims Adjusters
Incorrect information could put your coverage at risk. If your information is unclear or inconsistent, this may cause issues. For example if you say that the leak was sudden, but there is evidence that it has been dripping for months, you may face accusations of misrepresentation or fraud.
Using a certified company for your water damage emergency in Denver will mean that you have accurate moisture maps, thermal imaging and cause of loss reports. Providing accurate professional reports and working with a certified team will make sure that your claim is supported by scientific evidence.
Conclusion
To help you get the best result from the insurance process after a major flood inside your home, be very detailed when reporting your claim. Don’t make any common mistakes by leaving it too long to report your claim, throwing away evidence and trying to dry things by yourself. This will greatly increase your chances of getting your full claim approved.
