Making a Water Damage Claim? Read This First.
8/30/2019 (Permalink)
Tips on Making A Water Damage Claim
There’s never a good time for water damage to strike in Fairview,NC. You must deal with a wide range of problems: bursting pipes, discolored walls, ruined furniture and more. It’s the second most frequent type of home insurance claim, but there are often complex details impacting whether or not a claim is paid. Before you contact your insurer with a claim, you should review some helpful tips.
1. Understand Your Homeowner’s Policy
Claims for damage resulting from water can be tricky. Whether they’re paid or denied often depends on the nature of the incident and the policy’s provisions. For instance, a policy may not cover the cost to fix a broken pipe but could reimburse you for resulting damage from bursting pipes. Also, your coverage may not include reimbursing you for gradual damage that happens due to problems that have slowly developed over time. Read through your policy carefully and make sure you understand its coverages and exclusions.
2. Keep Up With Regular Maintenance
Seasonal maintenance is one important key to catching and fixing problems before they get worse. Perform a thorough check each fall and spring, focusing on critical areas. Pay attention to areas through which water can leak: window panes, thresholds, door seals, exterior walls, insulation, gutters, drains and even your roof. Your plumbing is especially important since bursting pipes can easily result in expensive damage.
3. Keep Complete Records
Comprehensive documentation is your friend when it comes to home insurance claims. Your files should include records of repairs and maintenance services you’ve paid for over the years. Detailed invoices from the contractors you’ve hired are especially beneficial. If you have records from prior insurance claims, hold onto those as well.
When making a claim, both knowing your coverage and doing your due diligence are critical. Working with a water damage restoration company is also vital to getting your home and life back on track. For best results, choose a responsive and trustworthy professional that’s Faster to any size disaster.