Water Damage MN | Flood Damage Restoration
Water Damage Insurance Claim | Insurance Restoration MN You’ve just returned to your home after vacation to find a flooded basement, perhaps due to a sewer or septic backup or broken water pipe and realize that in order to be able to get your life back on track you will have to have your house repaired. Or perhaps a drain clog caused the water in your sink to back up and overflow, and now your kitchen is a virtual swimming pool, right inside the house. What to do? Look for and bring out that homeowner’s insurance policy because you will have to file an insurance claim for water damage. Water Damage Insurance Claims The aftermath of a water damage event is not the time to discover what is and is not covered in your homeowners’ insurance policy. Too many people wake up to a flood, call their providers, and are politely told that they are on their own. Insurance, as it applies to water damage, is a tricky situation. It becomes of utmost importance for homeowners to learn and understand their insurance plans, knowing what is covered, what isn’t, and making the appropriate adjustments. This is the only way to avoid being caught unawares when that upstairs pipe bursts or the local dam gives way. Find out if your insurance will pay for water damage. Filing a Damage Claim For Water Damage Your responsibilities, as outlined in most residential property insurance policies, include, but are not limited to: • Give prompt written notice to the insurer of the facts relating to the claim • Protect the property from further damage • Make reasonable and necessary repairs to protect the property • Keep an accurate record of repair expenses Your actions should include, whenever possible: • Stop the water leak/flow • Remove standing water and begin drying the area • Photograph the damaged property • Remove water soaked materials • Keep removed materials and move them to a secure, dry and well-ventilated area, or outdoors • Protect repairable and undamaged items from further damage • Keep an activity log, including a record of all contact with your insurance company • Keep all receipts • Don’t throw away removed or damaged materials until instructed by your insurance company • Don’t jeopardize your safety • Don’t make large structural or permanent repairs • Don’t exceed personal capabilities By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to properly taking care of any water damage situation in your home. Creating a Home Inventory Creating a home inventory is one of the most important steps you can take in order to make sure you are adequately insured–and it can make filing a claim in the event of a disaster much easier as well. Now comes the hard but necessary part – computing the damage costs. You’re probably at a loss, and don’t know where to start and how to do it. Here we’ll show you how and what to do step by step. Call the Insurance Company The first thing you’ve got to do is call your insurance company to inform them that you’re going to file a claim. Make Temporary Repairs Next, try to prevent further water damage from occurring by making temporary repairs. Make sure you keep the receipts for any repair work done, as payments for temporary repairs will be among those costs you will file for. What is important is that you’re able to arrest any water damage from further destroying your house. If you need to relocate, bring the receipts with you. If there are any wet areas...
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