How To File an Insurance Claim for Water Damage
12/6/2019 (Permalink)
How To File an Insurance Claim for Water Damage
Following water damage to your Oklahoma City, OK, home, you may decide to file a homeowner’s insurance claim. The following steps will guide you through the process.
Know Your Policy
Before damage ever occurs to your house, it is important to familiarize yourself with the details of your insurance policy. Know your deductibles and coverage limits. Know what types of damage are covered. Understand how your rate may change if you file a claim.
Create a Home Inventory
Also, it is important to create a home inventory before any damage occurs. This is a list of all the items in your home, their purchase date and purchase price. Include receipts for expensive items and photos or video of your possessions.
Address Water Source
Anything from a pipe burst to a leaky roof can cause your home to flood. Stop the water flow as soon as possible.
Contact Your Agent
Call your insurance professional. Explain the situation and ask any questions you have about filing an insurance claim. Your agent may give you specific instructions for what to do next. He or she will also set up a time for an adjuster to survey the damage.
Document Damage
If your agent gave you specific instructions about documenting the damage to your home, be sure to follow those guidelines. Otherwise, simply be as detailed as possible. List all the damaged items along with their purchase date and price. Take photographic or video evidence to accompany the list.
Get Quotes for Repairs
Some insurance companies will only pay for repairs made by certain companies. Others may require you to get a certain number of estimates before they will decide on an amount to pay you. Check with your agent regarding these guidelines.
Filing an insurance claim is an important first step in the restoration process. After that, you may wish to hire an experienced restoration team to help you get your home back to normal.