How To Make a Water Damage Insurance Claim

10/14/2020 (Permalink)

Insurance adjuster inspecting

Steps To Follow When You File An Insurance Claim

From a massive flood to a small pipe burst, there are many ways a home can suffer water damage. When disaster strikes, a good insurance policy can be a big help. There are vital steps to follow when you file an insurance claim against your homeowner's policy in Santa Ana, CA.

Review and Report
If your damage was caused by a home invasion or any other type of crime, contact law enforcement first. Get a copy of the police report and make sure all involved officers are identified. Review your insurance policy to determine exactly what is expected from you when you file a claim. Contact your insurance provider and ask questions. Find out if your damage is covered under your policy, how long you have to file a claim, if your claim will exceed your deductible, how long it will take to process the claim, and if estimates are required for structural damage repairs.

Prepare Documents and Take Inventory
Fill out insurance claim forms from your insurer and return them promptly. Make a detailed list of all destroyed or damaged items. If you have receipts for any of the items, keep those with your list. Make copies of all information for your insurance adjuster and keep copies for your records. Take photographs or videos of any structural damage that requires immediate temporary repair. Make only the repairs that are necessary to keep your family safe.

Have an Insurance Adjuster Visit
Aside from things necessary to keep your family safe, all other repairs should wait until after an insurance adjuster visits. Show the adjuster all structural damage, including the temporary repairs. Show them pictures and videos of anything repaired prior to their visit and give them copies of everything. Show the adjuster all damaged items. Give them copies of your list of losses with receipts. Request authorization to contact a water damage restoration company to get started on the cleanup process.
The clearer the picture your insurance adjuster has of your losses, the more smoothly your insurance claim process will go.