Residential Water Damage Insurance Claims
Damage caused by water-related issues, such as flooding or heavy storms, can cause extensive damage within the structure of your home. Even when the initial water damage is taken care of, there may be other, deeper problems that could develop over time. Unless the initial presence of water is extensively dried and sanitized, even the smallest remaining moisture can cause long term problems for your home. Mold spores can set into wet wood and grow to infestation levels quickly and relatively unnoticed. A minor roof leak can turn into a breeding ground that lets in foundation damaging moisture.
Fortunately, while these issues can be troubling when they develop, they can also be dealt with accordingly by an experienced residential public adjuster. These professionals assess the damage done to your home and work with the most effective methods to fix these issues. They can help you get the most out of your insurance claim and get your home back to where it should be.
When adjusting any water damage claim, the source of the water must be found in order for the claim to be addressed properly. Regardless of the extent of the damages and no matter whether they are caused by flooding or smaller leakages, locating the source of the invasive moisture is the first step in assessing the issue.
Roof damage is one of the most frequent sources of leakage within the home. The damage to a roof that allows for the intrusion of water to the interior of the home is most frequently the result of wind or hail. From the ground, even the most unnoticeable hail hits or shingles whose seals are broken can allow rainwater to enter the home. This incursion of water will usually result in problems to the roof decking and, in the attic, wet rafters and soaked insulation which ultimately lead to water stains on interior ceilings.
Plumbing, air conditioners and heating units are another common source of water damage. Burst pipes can cause massive issues within the home and are covered by almost all homeowners’ policies. Things such as overflowing toilets and tubs or broken washing machines can cause pipe-related water damage. If the water issue is inside of a wall, ceiling or underneath the slab foundation, then the policy coverage may include the damage to these areas as well as any damage caused in trying to discover or get to the source of the leak. However, the cost of the actual repairs to the supply line or appliance will not be covered.
The third and most devastating form of water damage is flooding. Floods can cause extreme damage to the home, with the most extensive cases strong enough to rot the foundations of the property. If you are in a flood plain, your mortgage company will require that you have coverage for flood, which is provided by the National Flood Insurance Program and administered by FEMA. The limits of coverage available through that federal program for contents or structure are limited and adequate at best. However, if you haven’t added an endorsement to your homeowner’s policy for the peril of flood and you have a flood, you are most likely out of luck and will have to fund the cost of repairing the dwelling yourself.
In worst-case scenarios, sewage can overflow, resulting in unsanitary conditions in the lower sections of the home, such as the basement. Flood damage will need to be assessed carefully, as there are many related problems that should be inspected for the purpose of the claim.
Working with reliable water claim adjusters can allow you to make better decisions regarding your home’s claims in the long term. Our public adjusters are some of the most capable in the field, ready to help you address every issue that arises as a result of water damage. Call us today and see how we can help you with your claim.