Written by Andy Gurczak

May 12, 2022

What is an Appraisal Clause in an Insurance Policy?

Water damage insurance claims are some of the most frequent home insurance claims that homeowners file. However, homeowner insurance does not cover all types of damages caused by water. Therefore, handling water damage insurance claims requires the homeowner to be careful and diligent before and during the claims process.

Home Insurance Covers Some, But Not All, Water Damage Claims

Generally, homeowners’ insurance covers water damage to your home, which is accidental and unexpected. Therefore, insurance covers water damage from heavy rainstorms and hurricanes. Likewise, if a storm knocked a big tree onto your house and rainwater entered through a hole in the roof or broken windows, insurance would cover water damage resulting from the fallen tree. Or if a pipe burst because of freezing weather, insurance would cover the resulting water damage. However, the homeowner has the responsibility to prevent further damage once a loss occurs. Therefore, in the example of the fallen tree, if the homeowner does not have the tree removed and the hole in the roof temporarily repaired, home insurance may not cover any water damage from a later storm. Typically, water damages from sewer backups are not covered. However, homeowners can purchase a rider to add to their policies to get this coverage.

What About Floods?

Homeowners’ insurance does not cover water damages from floods. Rather, people who live in flood-prone areas must purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Federal Emergency Management Administration FEMA) runs the NFIP. Whether a flood or simply heavy rain caused water damage to a home can be a mystery to homeowners. A good public adjuster can help a homeowner answer that question. Likewise, after the insurance claim process begins, an insurance adjuster will come to your home to inspect your damaged property. With burst pipes, if those pipes were old and corroded, leading to them bursting, the insurance company may deny coverage for the water damages. That is because your homeowners’ policy will have a section stating what the homeowners’ responsibilities are. In general, homeowners must maintain their homes. As a result, the insurance company may deny water damage claims caused by old corroded pipes or a roof that needed repairs. In addition, homeowners’ insurance covers water damage from sudden accidents. Homeowners’ insurance does not cover gradual water damage. Consequently, if there was a toilet or bathroom faucet that slowly leaked, causing damage to the ceiling and walls below the bathroom, the insurance company would deny coverage for that claim. It will help you to take pictures of all damaged areas of your home. Additionally, take pictures of all damaged items. You can show them to the insurance adjuster, who may not be at your home for a few days. For instance, if there is standing water in your home, take pictures of it before it you remove it. The more pictures you get, from different angles and distances, the stronger your claim will be.

What Should You Do When You Discover Water Damage in Your Home? Water Damage Insurance Claim Tips

The first thing you should do, if you can safely, is turn off the source of the leak. If a fallen tree broke windows or put a hole in your roof, make immediate temporary repairs to prevent further water damage. You should report the water damage to your insurance company as soon as you can. Most companies have 24/7 lines to report claims. Indeed, the sooner you report the water damage claim, the sooner the claims process can begin. If there is standing water, get it removed. Certainly, you can get a water restoration company to come in to do the work. Your insurance will cover their fees. In addition, if any damaged items are in the standing water, remove them to prevent further damage. The water restoration company can clean up and dry the areas of your home affected by the water damage. In fact, they can immediately take mold remediation steps to get rid of that problem. If you have to temporarily move, save all receipts for meals, hotels, mileage, etc. Your homeowners’ policy will cover your Additional Living Expenses (ALE). However, don’t pick the most expensive hotel or the fanciest restaurant every night if you want the insurance company to reimburse you fully.

You Need a Public Adjuster for a Water Damage Claim, Call AllCity Adjusting

We are a family-owned claims company with five decades of combined adjusting experience. As a result, if there’s one thing we understand, it’s that you need 100% of your claim value. Insurance companies undervalue your claim 8 out of 10 times. Moreover, they hire expensive adjusters to ensure they maintain a strong profit margin. Additionally, they have experienced actuaries that create insurance agency guidelines that help their team of agents challenge your insurance claim’s validity.  You have already gone through a tumultuous event. For this reason, get an agency that gets you more. At AllCity Adjusting we work to ensure you get 100% of your water claim value. Equally important, with over 50 years of combined adjusting experience, we know insurance companies and understand where they cut corners. Moreover, we help you build a larger claim, maximize your claim value, and get you back to normal fast. Don’t get fooled, get the company that gets you more. If water damage occurs because of a burst water pipe or severe storm, call AllCity Adjusting. Filing a water damage claim can be complicated. Moreover, the claims process for a water damage claim can frustrate most homeowners. Since homeowners’ insurance covers some types of water damage, but not others, AllCity Adjusting can help you out.  Lastly, if you have received a low-ball offer from the homeowners’ or renters’ insurance company, or they are taking too long to process your claim or you just want to talk to someone on your side, call us at 844.692.3587. Or you can email us at info@allcityadhjusting.com.

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Best way to beat the insurance company is to hire AllCity Adjusting

At AllCity Adjusting we help residential and commercial clients alike get the claims support they need. Moreover, we have over 50 years of combined experience helping get our clients the max settlement time and time again. If your claim has been low balled or denied entirely we can help increase your maximum settlement. Call us today for a FREE consultation. Experience the AllCity difference.
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Should You Make Your Own Insurance Claim Repairs?

Let’s say you had a small fire in your home. Faulty electrical wiring caused the fire. Of course, someone will have to tear down parts of the wall where the fire started. Then someone will have to hang new sheetrock and paint it. You’re pretty handy around the house. You’re thinking, should you make your own insurance claim repairs? Is there any way to get your insurance claim check faster?

What Are Some Common Business Insurance Claims?

Certainly, almost all businesses, from large corporations to mom-and-pop stores, will probably face some type of accident or incident that will become an insurance claim. Below we will discuss some common business insurance claims that businesses across the country must confront.Is there any way to get your insurance claim check faster?

How Does Home Repair Insurance Work?

How Does Home Repair Insurance Work?

Homeowners’ insurance will cover damage from unexpected and sudden perils, like hurricanes, fires, and hail. However, it excludes insurance coverages if the damage stems from everyday use and wear and tear to appliances, HVAC systems, etc. Therefore, if you feel you need insurance coverage for those items, you need to know the answer to the question: how does home repair insurance work?

How to File a Roofing Insurance Claim

How to File a Roofing Insurance Claim

Your roof is the primary protection for your home from the elements. Of course, the wind is probably the most dangerous element to your roof. However, roofs also get damaged by falling trees, electrical poles and wires, hail, and heavy snow. If a storm or some other unexpected event damages your roof, you will have to know how to file a roofing insurance claim.

How to Get Flood Insurance

How to Get Flood Insurance

Homeowners’ insurance protects homes from damages caused by fire, hurricanes, windstorms, and other natural disasters. However, standard homeowners’ insurance does not cover damages caused by floods. Consequently, homeowners and renters who live in a high-risk zone for flooding need to know how to get flood insurance.

commercial mold cleanup and restoration

commercial mold cleanup and restoration

If you have found mold in your business, you should be concerned. For instance, properly removing mold can be expensive and difficult to do correctly. Mold in your business can be dangerous for your health, and that of your employees, customers and visitors. However, commercial mold cleanup and restoration is necessary if you want to keep operating your business.

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