Involve Your Insurance Company for a Water Damage Claim

9/23/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can be due to a bursting pipe or heavy rainfall.

When your home has flooded because of a pipe burst situation or heavy rainfall, filing an insurance claim may not be one of the first things on your mind. However, the sooner you file your claim, the better the results for your home and your claim. Don't start cleaning up the water or moving your belongings around until after you have spoken to an agent. You may actually cause more damage or hurt the outcome of your case by jumping straight to cleanup and repairs.

3 Steps To Follow After Suffering Water Damage

1. Immediate Water Damage Response

Contact your agent as soon as possible because a quick response to water damage is vital. You'll need the following information to share with the insurance company:

• A copy of your insurance policy
  
• Details of the water damage (avoid using the word "flood")
  
• An inventory of your damaged property
  
• Contact information for anyone involved
  
• Questions about how to proceed
  

In some cases, your insurance agent may have recommendations about who to contact for water damage cleanup and repair.

2. Your Next Steps

After contacting the necessary professionals to start the insurance claim process, there are several more steps you can take. These involve taking pictures of the damage and creating a safe place to store receipts and documents relating to the damage. You may also want to contact an adjuster for a second opinion regarding the costs of damage, losses, and repair.

3. Mitigation Steps

During your conversation with insurance professionals, you may be advised to start removing water, boarding up holes, and other preventative steps. If you fail to complete these tasks, further damage may occur, and the new damage may not be covered by your insurance. Remember to save receipts and make notes about any new information you discover.

Most of the time, you'll have better success with your insurance claim if you involve restoration experts in the cleanup and repair of your home in White Bear Lake, MN. These experienced professionals may also help you work with the insurance company for better results. Keep communication lines between all parties open and respectful for the very best results.