How to Get Insurance to Pay for Water Damage

If you’re dealing with water damage insurance claims, you’re not alone. Property owners across the country are routinely tasked with navigating commercial and home insurance claims, whether they live in an area prone to flood damage or are victims of unexpected peril.

While basic insurance policies are designed to cover most sudden and unexpected events, many property owners also have supplemental insurance coverage to protect against other maintenance issues. 

Navigating the terms of your policy and the requirements involved with processing a claim can be complicated, but precise documentation and partnering with a restoration specialist like ATI Restoration can make it easier to ensure that replacement costs are accounted for, and that further damage is prevented. 

Whether your repairs require insurance to cover $1,000 or $10,000, our knowledgeable team can help make a case so your insurance company understands your needs.

Does insurance pay for water damage?

Not all water damage is covered by basic commercial or homeowners insurance policies. Depending on the location, property owners may be required to have a separate flood insurance policy. The reason for this is, if a property is on a known storm path or resides next to a water source that’s prone to flooding, those sources are more likely to cause damage over time. The resulting water damage could require a different degree of remediation, or more frequent remediation. 

Additional policies may also be required if your property is subject to frozen pipes or seepage from sewer backups.

Types of water damage commonly covered by basic insurance include:

• Plumbing system damage (burst pipes or a water heater issue)
• Leaking roof damage
• Appliance malfunction or overflow (washing machine or dishwasher)
• Personal property damage

What should I do after I find water damage in my home or business?

If you’ve discovered signs of water damage on your property or notice that your roof leaks, there are a few critical things to do:

• Identify the source of the water and mitigate the resulting damage. If it’s a broken pipe, stop the leak by turning off the water supply. Be sure to contact the fire department and police if you have electrical concerns.
• Photograph and video the damage 
  • If the leak was triggered by natural disaster, document the exterior damage on your property, too
  • If mold is present, document any mold damage
  • If you have renters insurance, make sure you thoroughly document any damage to your personal belongings. Your landlord may also benefit from using your documentation to substantiate an insurance claim.
• Call your insurance company to report the damage and start the claims process
• Contact a professional water damage repair company, like ATI Restoration, for a comprehensive inspection so we can estimate for repairs

How do I file a water damage claim with my insurance company?

Water damage claims should be filed as early as possible to address the damage in a timely manner. Start the process by placing a call directly to the insurance company to explain the situation. The insurer will initially take as much information as you can provide over the phone, and confirm details of your policy including the deductible.

Insurance claims are almost always written to unique circumstances, so the more detail you can provide and evidence of damage you can document, the more likely it is that the insurance company is fully able to mediate to your needs. The sooner you provide them the evidence and schedule an inspection for moisture mapping, the sooner the insurance company can make a payment to fund repair services.

How to avoid having your water damage claim denied

Processing a successful claim requires careful documentation. Anecdotal reporting and hearsay make it more likely that your claim will be denied. Make your evidence foolproof and thorough.

Insurance policies won’t usually cover claims linked to negligence or gradual damage, so make sure you can provide evidence to support that the damage wasn’t caused by a slow water leak or lack of maintenance.

Maintain records of all property improvements, and perform regular maintenance if you suspect something is going to break. You won’t want to sit back and wait for it to fail with the expectation that your insurance company will cover it.

Use photographs and videos to capture the damage so that anyone involved can thoroughly understand the scope of the potential repairs, especially if the policy needs to cover mold mediation or damaged items.

How can I maximize my water damage claim?

You can get the most from your insurance company by setting very realistic and defendable expectations. Have a thorough understanding of your policy, including any exclusions and limits. Defend your claim to your insurance adjuster with all documentation, and from there, be prepared to negotiate for the settlement you need to repair the damage entirely. Remember that your insurance providers may take the deductible of the claim.

Take pause if you receive pushback from your insurance agent, and don’t hesitate to involve a restoration company like ATI Restoration in the process to be sure the insurance quotes are accurate.

I filed my water damage claim. Now what?

After your insurance company has been notified, they will help to coordinate an inspection to determine how much can be funded for repairs. ATI Restoration can provide the water damage restoration and cleanup services you need.

Our team can also handle water extraction services after water damage. We will work directly with your insurance company to make the process easy. Contact us today to get started with a quote.