4 Steps to Take When Filing a Water Damage Claim

2/15/2020 (Permalink)

When damage occurs, you should always start filing your insurance claim as soon as possible.

If something has caused water damage to your Doylestown, PA, home, then it is a good idea to start filing an insurance claim right away. If you have never had to do this before, you might not know exactly where to start or what you should be doing during the process. If this is the case, you should take the following steps.

1. Call Your Insurance Agent
Of course, the first thing you should do is call your insurance company to report the damage. The sooner you do this, the sooner the insurance claim process can be finished. Many companies require you to contact them within a certain period after the damage has occurred, and if you fail to do this, your claim can be denied.

2. Review Your Policy
If it has been a while since you purchased your insurance policy, the details might be a little fuzzy. While you are waiting for an adjuster to arrive, it is a good idea to read over it. Familiarize yourself with the requirements and terms to help the process move along more smoothly.

3. Document the Damage
Something else you might want to do while waiting is to begin documenting any damage that has occurred. Take pictures of damaged belongings and areas of the house, and make a list of everything that has been affected. Your adjuster can use this while filing your claim. If a pipe bursts, make sure to document this as well.

4. Begin Mitigation
Whether it is from a flood, damaged plumbing or something else, water should not be left in your home for an extended period. Building materials can absorb the water and begin to rot or warp, and the moisture can cause mold to grow. Remove the water from the building and move items to a dry location.

When damage occurs, you should always start filing your insurance claim as soon as possible. You will likely need to hire a cleanup and restoration service to make repairs on the house, and the money you receive can help you pay the costs.