Document damages by taking photographs and videos of the affected areas in your home. You should begin by taking an overall video/picture of the area. Then take pictures of every item damaged by the water to ensure you have evidence of the damaged items for later. This can help speed up the inventory process later.
WATER DAMAGE INSURANCE CLAIM TIPS
Dealing with Water Damage Insurance claims
Whether you’re a renter, homeowner, or business owner, you can be affected by water damage. Most homeowners know that water damage is a common problem. In fact, in the past year homeowners have filed over 26,000 claims. And according to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage claims are only second to wind and hail damage. Water damage can be overwhelming, but thankfully it doesn’t have to be. Our team will work directly with you and your insurance through every step along the way to help you through your entire claims process. Here’s some tips to get you started:
Dealing with Insurance claims
Whether you’re a renter, homeowner, or business owner, you can be affected by water damage. Most homeowners know that water damage is a common problem. In fact, in the past year homeowners have filed over 26,000 claims. And according to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage claims are only second to wind and hail damage. Water damage can be overwhelming, but thankfully it doesn’t have to be. Our team will work directly with you and your insurance every step of the way to help you through your entire claims process. Here’s some tips to get you started:
1.
Know That Is Covered In Your Insurance Policy
1. Know That Is Covered In Your Insurance Policy
Before you have unexpected water damage or flooding you should talk to your insurance about what your policy covers. Not all water damage will be covered by your insurance so it is important to be aware before you run into any issues down the road. This will also help you stay prepared by learning about the different types of water damages that are NOT covered by your insurance. For instance, flood claims are typically not covered by your home insurance. You will need a separate policy to cover any flood damage. If you are unsure about your coverage or are interested in seeking more information about adding additional coverage, you should speak with your local insurance provider to learn more about your current insurance policy and further coverage options.
2.
File a Claim ASAP.
2. File a Claim ASAP.
The very first thing you should do when you find water damage is to call and file a claim with your insurance company. The quicker you are able to file your claim, the quicker an adjuster can assess the damage of your home. This allows you to receive a check for the repairs as soon as possible so not to draw out the process and leave you waiting even longer to have your home and your life back on track.
3.
Call a Professional Water Damage Restoration Company.
3. Call a Professional Water Damage Restoration Company.
The next step you should take is to call a professional water damage company. No matter how small your water damage may seem, water can trickle into unseen areas leaving the opportunity for mold growth if left untreated. Certified professionals will have state of the art water detecting tools like moisture meters or thermal camaras to help properly measure the extent of your water damage. By using a professional water damage restoration company, you can rest assured knowing your home will be properly dried and repaired as to prevent further damage.
4.
Document The Damage.
4. Document The Damage.
5.
Move Unaffected Possessions to a Safe Area.
5. Move Unaffected Possessions to a Safe Area.
Once you have documented the damage, now is a perfect time to take action to protect the items that have not been damaged from the water to minimize further issues. If safe to do so, remove undamaged items from the affected area and take them to a separate room for storage. A professional water damage company will help you sort through and remove unaffected items for you once on site. However, we suggest that you remove as many undamaged items as you can before our arrival to ensure water does not wick up and cause damage to the items that may otherwise have been unaffected.
Contact American Patriot Restoration
Our experienced team at American Patriot Restoration offer a range of commercial and residential restoration services, including emergency repairs and water removal. Should you sustain water damage, leave the job to the professionals. Don’t risk secondary damages like hazardous mold.
If you have any questions about our Water Damage Restoration services, please contact us today at (217)342-3206.