What’s In This Articles

• How to Start a Flood Insurance Claim
• What Should You Do Before the Adjuster Comes to Your House?
• Good News: You Can get an Advance Payment
• Do You Have Flood Insurance?
• If You Need a Public Adjuster to Start a Flood Insurance Claim, Call AllCity Adjusting

How to Start a Flood Insurance Claim

If your property has flooded, report the loss to your insurance agent or company immediately. You will want to start a flood insurance claim as soon as you can. Certainly, flood waters will damage your neighbors’ property and that of many others.

Therefore, many property owners will file flood water damage claims with their carriers. As a result, you will want to start the claim process for your claim ASAP.

After you file a claim, the insurer will assign an insurance adjuster to work with you throughout the claims process. Hopefully, that will happen a day or two after you file your claim.

The adjuster will contact you to set up a time to inspect your property within a few days.

What Should You Do Before the Adjuster Comes to Your House?

Take pictures.

Take a lot of pictures (and video).

When it’s safe, you can get back to your home. Take as many photos and videos as possible of the damage the flood did to your property.

This includes carpeting, furniture, walls, clothing, etc.

Remember, if you must throw out damaged property before the adjuster inspects your home, take pictures of that property.

In addition, for appliances and electronics, take photos of the make, model, and serial number to share with your adjuster.

Of course, immediately throw away damaged items that pose a health risk, such as perishable food items, clothing, cushions, pillows, etc. After taking their picture.

As much as possible, your photos and videos should document the structural damage; standing floodwater levels (both inside and outside). You will want to include them when you file a claim and your proof of loss.

The claim adjuster will need evidence of the flood damage to your home and possessions to give you a repair estimate.

When the insurance adjuster comes, ask to see their Flood Control Number (FCN) card and other official identification. When you receive the adjuster’s written estimate and report, review it for accuracy and make sure it’s complete.

Good News: You Can get an Advance Payment

When reporting the claim, ask about getting an advance payment to help you recover. For instance, you may have to stay in a hotel for a few days (or weeks) until you can return home. If so, you will eat your meals at restaurants.

Likewise, if the flood damages clothing, you’ll have to buy new clothing.

The hotel you stay at may be an additional five miles away from your job. That’s 10 extra miles a day you’ll be driving. If you’re out of your house for a month, that’s 300 extra miles you drove.

Therefore, keep track of your mileage.

Also, note that advance payments are deducted from the final claim payment.

Importantly, note it is your responsibility to do all you can to prevent the growth and spread of mold. Insurance companies will not cover mold damage if a policyholder fails to take action to prevent the growth and spread of mold.

However, sometimes, it’s just not possible for the homeowner to get to the property to clean up and avoid a mold outbreak. Consequently, mold damage may be covered when a government official has banned entrance into the area because of downed trees, downed power lines, etc.

Additionally, if floodwaters remain around the home or in the area which prevents homeowners from getting to their homes for a period, the insurance companies may cover additional flood damages.

Do You Have Flood Insurance?

Standard homeowners’ insurance policies do 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.

Therefore, if you live in a flood-prone area, apply for FEMA flood insurance so that they can reimburse you for covered flood damage. 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.

If You Need a Public Adjuster to Start a Flood Insurance 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.

If a flood causes water damage in your home, call AllCity Adjusting. We can help you get the money you deserve.

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.