Jane Dotson
Water damage is the second largest cause of insurance claims today. Water moves fast and can get into every crevice, making it hard to control. Even a simple pipe leak can lead to severe issues.
If you want to avoid further damage, you must call your insurance company immediately. However, communicating and working with an insurance adjuster can be challenging. They are licensed professionals trained to use specific tools to calculate the extent of water damage. They also use pricing guide software to calculate your losses, but this software may not reflect the current costs of labour and materials. As a result, you may end up with a settlement that is much lower than what you expected.
Here are some tips to help you navigate the process and effectively communicate with an insurance adjuster:
- Understand the damage and its cause: Before talking to the insurance adjuster, try to thoroughly understand the type of water damage and its source. Water damage can be categorised as clean, grey, or black water, each posing varying levels of health risks.
- Document everything: Record every detail of the problem by taking photos, videos, and keeping receipts of any purchases made to protect your property from further damage. Send this documentation to the claims adjuster before the inspection.
- Engage a public adjuster: Consider hiring a public adjuster, who will work on your behalf and has the expertise to ensure that your water damage claim is treated as a severe case. They can guide you through the process and help you attain an optimal settlement.
- Ask the right questions: Prepare a list of questions to ask your insurance adjuster, such as when you can expect an advance for your contents and structure loss, their estimate of your building loss, and clarification of your coverage and insurance policy.
- Be mindful of flooding and sewage issues: Keep in mind that flood damage and sewage backup are typically not covered by standard homeowners' insurance policies. You may need a separate policy for flood insurance or additional coverage for sewage backup.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Understanding the damage | Before talking to the insurance adjuster, try to understand the damage and its cause as best as possible. Water damage can be categorised as "clean", "grey" or "black" water, with different levels of health risk. |
| Documentation | Document every detail of the problem and send it to the claims adjuster before an inspection. Take photos and videos, keep receipts, and send them to your insurance agent and adjuster via email. |
| Questions to ask | Ask about when to expect an advance for structural damage and contents, the estimated building loss, clarification of coverage and a copy of the insurance policy, and who will assist in creating the claim. |
| Hiring a public adjuster | Consider hiring a public adjuster who can advocate on your behalf and help you get a fair settlement. They are trained in property damage and can give you a better estimate. |
What You'll Learn
Document damage: Take photos, videos, and keep receipts
Documenting water damage is crucial when dealing with insurance adjusters, as it helps you get the settlement you deserve. Here are some detailed tips on documenting the damage:
Take photos and videos: Use your cell phone or other mobile devices to capture clear images and videos of the damage. Document not just the main damage but also the entire room, including all affected products, furniture, and other parts of the house. Make sure to take close-up photos of water-damaged areas, structural damage, and personal property damage, both inside and outside your home. Don't forget areas like closets, cabinets, windows, and windowsills, as water leaks can go undetected in these places. Also, take photos of the serial numbers of large appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators.
Email the photos and videos: Send the visual documentation to your insurance agent and claims adjuster via email, and be sure to cc yourself so you have easy access to the records. This ensures that all relevant parties have the same information and can refer back to it as needed.
Keep receipts: Keep all receipts for any purchases made to protect your property from further damage, such as fans, duct tape, caulk, sandbags, and tarps. These expenses are often covered by your insurance policy, as they help mitigate the damage. Additionally, keep receipts for any temporary repairs, boarding up the structure, hotel stays, dining expenses, and other costs incurred due to the water damage.
Photograph the receipts: Take clear photos of the receipts and email them to all parties involved, including yourself. This ensures that you have a digital record of the expenses and can easily provide proof of these expenses when needed.
Keep material samples: If possible, retain samples of damaged materials like carpeting, wallpaper, furniture upholstery, and window treatments. The type and quality of these materials may impact the amount of your claim, so having physical evidence can support your case.
Document before discarding items: Before removing and discarding flood-damaged items, be sure to thoroughly document the damage. Take photos and videos of the items, including their serial numbers, and provide these records to your adjuster.
Act promptly: Water damage can lead to mould growth, so it's important to act quickly. Take photos and videos as soon as possible after the water damage occurs, and continue to document the damage over time, as some issues may worsen.
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Understand damage: Source, type, and cause
Understanding the source, type, and cause of water damage is crucial for effective restoration and mitigation. Here are some key points to help you navigate this complex issue:
Sources of Water Damage:
- Internal Sources: Water damage can occur due to issues with plumbing, appliances, or fixtures inside your house, such as a leaking dishwasher, a malfunctioning heater, or an overflowing toilet.
- External Sources: Water damage can also result from external flood events like storms, heavy rainfall, or rising water from nearby rivers or streams.
Types of Water Damage:
- Clean Water: Clean water comes from sources like toilet tanks and does not pose immediate health risks. However, if left untreated, it can lead to microbial growth and cause issues over time.
- Grey Water: Grey water is slightly contaminated and can cause sickness. Examples include dishwasher overflow or washing machine discharge.
- Black Water: Blackwater is highly contaminated and poses significant health risks. It includes sewage, seawater, or wind-driven rain from hurricanes.
Causes of Water Damage:
- Plumbing Issues: Broken or leaking pipes, clogged toilets, or malfunctioning appliances are common causes of water damage.
- Structural Issues: Leaky roofs, damaged windows, or faulty doors can allow water to intrude and cause damage.
- Environmental Incidents: Storms, flooding, heavy rainfall, or hurricanes are environmental factors that can lead to water damage.
It is important to identify the source, type, and cause of water damage to determine the appropriate restoration methods, prevent further issues, and ensure the safety of occupants.
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Contact insurance: Report claim and ask questions
Contacting your insurance company is the first step in dealing with water damage. It is important to act quickly as water damage puts your property at risk and can lead to issues such as mould.
Report the claim
Before reporting a claim, determine the source of the water and take steps to stop it from flowing. This may involve shutting off your home's main valve or an individual water supply valve. Then, call your insurance agent to report the claim. Be sure to do this as soon as possible, as mould and mildew can begin to develop within 24-48 hours.
Ask questions
When reporting the claim, there are several important questions you should ask your insurance adjuster:
- When will I receive an advance for my structure damage and contents?
- How much do you estimate my building loss to be?
- Can you provide me with a copy of my insurance policy and explain my coverage?
- Will you be the adjuster handling my loss from start to finish, or will there be others involved? If there is a team of adjusters, when can I expect to meet them?
- Who will help me prepare the claim for all my contents damaged in this loss?
In addition to these questions, it is important to understand the cause and extent of the damage. Water damage can be categorised as "clean", "grey", or "black" water. Clean water does not pose any health risks, while grey and black water present a greater risk. Understanding the type of water damage will impact how the claim is handled.
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Hire professionals: Plumbers, leak detectors, and public adjusters
Plumbers and leak detection specialists
If you can't identify the source of the water leak, you should contact a leak detection company. They have the right tools to locate hidden leaks. Once they've identified the cause, a plumber can fix the leak and assess the extent of the water damage. This is crucial for conducting repairs and filing an insurance claim.
When hiring a plumber, ensure they are licensed and insured. Ask for a written quote or estimate, their expected timeline, and whether they can provide references from previous clients.
Public adjusters
A public adjuster works on your behalf to secure a fair settlement from your insurance company. They are well-versed in property damage and can give you an accurate estimate of the repair costs. They can also help you with the often stressful and complex claim process, including negotiating with the insurance adjuster and fighting a bad settlement offer.
When choosing a public adjuster, consider their experience, whether they are licensed to operate in your state, their location, and whether they can provide references.
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Prepare: Estimate repair costs and check policy
Before meeting with an insurance adjuster, it is important to have a sense of the repair costs and to check your insurance policy. This will help you understand what is covered and what costs you may need to cover yourself.
Water damage repair costs can vary depending on the extent of the damage, the type of water, and the location. Basic labor to repair water damage can range from $19.17 to $34.46 per square foot. The national average cost for water restoration in a home is $1,200 to $5,000, with the average homeowner paying around $3,000. However, costs can be much higher, especially if there is extensive damage or if the water is classified as grey or black water. Grey water contains some contaminants and can cost around $4 to $6.50 per square foot to remediate, while black water, which contains sewage and is highly toxic, can cost around $7 to $7.50 per square foot to remove.
In addition to the cost of water removal and remediation, there may be costs associated with repairing or replacing damaged materials such as drywall, flooring, ceilings, and personal items. These costs can vary widely depending on the extent of the damage and the materials involved.
When checking your insurance policy, look for exclusions and limitations. For example, water damage caused by negligence, poor maintenance, or gradual damage over time may not be covered. Flood damage is also typically not covered under standard homeowners' insurance policies and requires separate flood insurance. Review your policy to understand what is covered and what your responsibilities are in the event of water damage.
It is also important to document the damage and take photos or videos as this will be necessary when filing a claim and meeting with the insurance adjuster.
Frequently asked questions
Claims adjusters use specific pricing guide software to evaluate the loss, but this software may not reflect the current cost of materials and labour. As a result, the settlement offered may be lower than what is needed to cover all the costs. Additionally, the insurance claims process can sometimes be rushed, meaning the full extent of the damage may not be uncovered.
Before talking to the insurance adjuster, try to understand the damage and its cause as best as you can. Document every detail of the problem and send it to the claims adjuster before an inspection. Take photos and videos of the damage, and keep all receipts for purchases made as a result of the damage.
Here are some questions you may want to ask:
- When will I receive an advance for my contents and structure loss?
- How much do you estimate my building loss to be?
- Can you give me a copy of my insurance policy and explain my coverage?
- Will you be the person handling my claim from start to finish?
A public adjuster works for you, not the insurance company, and can help you get a full and fair settlement for your water damage insurance claim. They have expertise in making everything look like a severe case of water damage and will ensure you get the coverage you need.
