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Water Damage Insurance Claim Tips

There’s water where it shouldn’t be. It’s soaking your floors, seeping into your walls, and pooling in the basement.

It’s overwhelming. And the last thing you want to worry about is insurance paperwork. You aren’t alone. Water damage is one of the most common insurance claims, with roughly 1 in every 67 insured homes filing a claim caused by water damage or freezing each year.

While navigating the insurance process can be frustrating, it’s necessary to get your home back to normal. Fortunately, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Your insurance agent and a professional water damage restoration team can guide you through the process.

Key Takeaways

File your water damage insurance claim as quickly as possible. Delays can complicate your claim.
Document everything thoroughly, from photos to repair estimates, to strengthen your claim and receive a fair settlement.
Work with a professional restoration company like SERVPRO. That way, you have an experienced advocate providing water damage insurance claims tips and supporting you throughout the process.
Understand what your policy covers before disaster strikes to save time, money, and frustration.

Things to Know Before Filing a Water Damage Insurance Claim

Before you call your insurance company about water damage in your home, there are a few important steps you should take first. Most importantly, make sure everyone in your home is safe. If you have major water damage, you might need to evacuate your house and contact emergency services.

Once it’s safe to do so, follow these water damage insurance claim tips:

Stop the source: Shut off the water supply, if possible, to prevent further damage.
Document everything: Take pictures and videos of all the affected areas before moving or cleaning up anything.
Protect your belongings: Move furniture and valuables away from damaged areas.
Don’t start repairs: Hold off on any major fixes to your home until after your adjuster has assessed the damage.

By acting quickly after disaster strikes, you can increase your chances of getting the best insurance settlement possible.

How to File a Home Insurance Claim for Water Damage

Filing an insurance claim doesn’t have to be intimidating. These water damage insurance claim tips walk you through each step of the process so you know exactly what to expect.

1. Know What Your Policy Covers

Insurance companies don’t treat all water damage the same way. Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, like a burst pipe or an overflowing appliance. Damage caused by flooding, neglect, or gradual leaks typically isn’t covered. If you live in a flood-prone area, you’ll probably need a separate flood insurance policy.

Understanding your insurance coverage before you file a claim will give you realistic expectations and help you avoid a surprise claim denial.

Bonus Insurance Claim Tips:

Review your insurance policy documents carefully to understand your coverage.
Contact your insurance agent with any questions.
Consider buying separate flood insurance if you live in a high-risk area.

2. Report Your Water Damage Insurance Claim as Soon as Possible

Once you and your family are safe and the source of the water damage is under control, contact your insurance company right away. Most policies require prompt reporting, and delays could complicate your claim.

Start with the basics:

Your policy number
A description of the damage
When it occurred

You can gather repair estimates and additional documents in the following days.

Bonus Insurance Claim Tips:

Take photos and video of all damaged areas immediately.
Write down the date, time, and cause of the damage.
Ask your agent about any next steps and expected timelines.

3. Meet With Your Insurance Adjuster

After you file your claim, your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess your home. Their job is to evaluate the extent of the damage (your losses) and determine what your policy covers.

If you can, be on site during the inspection and walk the adjuster through every affected area of your home. Hold off on throwing away damaged items or making any permanent repairs to your home until after the adjuster has completed their assessment.

Bonus Insurance Claim Tips:

Make a list of all the damaged items in your house before the adjuster arrives.
Take your own photos alongside the adjuster’s visit for your records.
Ask the adjuster to explain their findings and next steps before they leave.

4. Work With a Water Damage Restoration Company

Once your insurance adjuster has assessed the damage, it’s time to find a restoration company. Working with an experienced water damage restoration company like SERVPRO takes the guesswork out of the water repair process. Professionals have the equipment and expertise to properly dry, clean, and restore your home. This will also prevent secondary issues, like mold growth.

It’s a good idea to gather estimates from multiple restoration companies (even if your insurance provider recommends a specific company). By getting multiple quotes, you’ll be able to compare pricing and get a feel for which company you’re the most comfortable working with.

Bonus Insurance Claim Tips:

Get at least three estimates before committing to a restoration company.
Ask for a detailed written scope of work from each company.
Confirm that the company has experience working directly with insurance claims.
Choose a restoration team that communicates clearly and responds quickly.

5. Document Everything

One of the most important water damage insurance claim tips you can follow is to document everything. Everything. Start by photographing and videoing all the damaged areas of your home and all your affected belongings as soon as it’s safe.

Put together an itemized list of damaged possessions, including their approximate value. That includes everything from your soaked couch to the ruined food in your fridge, even your water-logged board games.

Throughout the claims process, hold onto every receipt, estimate, and piece of communication related to your claim.

Bonus Insurance Claim Tips:

Get all repair and restoration estimates in writing.
Save every receipt for emergency repairs, hotel stays, and any related expenses.
Keep a running log of all the communications with your insurance company.

6. Understand Your Settlement

Once the insurance company processes your claim, it should offer you a settlement based on your policy terms. Policies that pay actual cash value (ACV) will factor in the depreciation of your possessions. This means you’ll receive what your damaged items are worth today, not what you paid for them. While you might have spent $1,500 for that lovely sectional sofa, it might only be worth $500 today.

Replacement cost value (RCV) policies, on the other hand, cover the full cost of replacing damaged items with new ones. That means you’ll get the full $1,500 original value for your sofa.

Bonus Insurance Claim Tips:

Ask your adjuster whether your policy pays actual cash value or just the replacement cost.
Review your settlement offer carefully before accepting.
Don’t hesitate to negotiate or request a re-evaluation if the offer seems low.

What Not to Do During a Water Damage Claim

It’s just as valuable to know what to avoid when preparing for your insurance claim. These water damage insurance claim tips can help you steer clear of common mistakes that could hurt your claim or delay your payout.

Don’t throw away damaged items: Keep everything until your adjuster has completed their inspection.
Don’t make permanent repairs: You might be dying to replace your soaked carpet, but wait for your adjuster’s assessment before beginning any major work.
Don’t skip the estimates: Accepting the first quote you receive without comparing others could lead you to pay more than you need to.
Don’t overlook keeping records: Poor documentation could easily delay your claim or lower your eventual settlement.
Don’t wait to report: Taking weeks or longer to submit an insurance claim raises all kinds of red flags with insurance companies.
Don’t go it alone: Lean on professionals like your restoration team and insurance agent to help guide you through the insurance claim process.

How SERVPRO Supports Your Water Damage Claim

Water damage in your home is stressful enough without having to muddle through the insurance process on your own. At SERVPRO, we have over 50 years’ experience in water damage restoration. Our professionals know exactly what it takes to restore your home and make the claims process go smoother.

From detailed documentation to working directly with your insurance company, SERVPRO is with you every step of the way.

When water damage strikes, don’t wait. Find a SERVPRO location near you.

FAQs

Should I file a home insurance claim for water damage?

Fully assess the scope of the water damage before filing a claim with your insurance company. Weigh the cost of repairs against your deductible. For minor damage with a low repair bill, paying out of pocket may be the smarter move. If the water damage is significant, filing a claim is generally the right call.

How do I file a home insurance claim for water damage?

Contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible after the damage occurs. Provide your policy number, a description of the damage, and photos documenting the affected areas. Your insurer will assign an adjuster to assess the damage and guide you through next steps.

How long does a water damage insurance claim take?

Water damage insurance claims can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months to settle. Your timeline will vary depending on the complexity of the damage and your insurance company. Provide all requested documents and respond to any questions from your adjuster promptly to keep the process running smoothly.