Water Damage Insurance Claim - 5 Tips For Homeowners That Need To File A Claim With Insurance Company

4 min read

Storm damage. Faulty plumbing. Frozen pipes. These are just a few of the very common water damage problems Southern West Virginia homeowners face. Because water damage is so typical, it is the most common cause of home insurance claims. In fact, the stats say about one in 50 homes file a water damage insurance claim every year.

Knowing you’re not alone in having damp and squishy carpets only helps so much. But what will help a lot is knowing with 100% certainty that your water damage insurance claim will be approved. You don’t want to have to be out of pocket because of plumbing repairs, especially since you have homeowners insurance.

Most home insurance policies cover water leak damage, but there are, unfortunately, some exceptions. It’s vital to know the ins and outs of your policy and exactly what it covers. This post looks at what insurers generally cover and tips for filing a water damage insurance claim to help you understand the insurance claim process.

What Water Damage Does an Insurer NOT Cover?

Most home or renter insurance policies cover water damage, but it will depend on the kind of policy you have, the water damage source, and whether the water issue was sudden or gradual. Gradual water damage is usually not included because this would mean that it was not an accidental or sudden issue that caused the damage.

Gradual damage happens slowly over time, implying that you have not adequately maintained your water supply or plumbing. Generally, if you regularly repair and maintain your home, it will not deteriorate and fall apart. So it’s best to create a regular maintenance schedule, especially for those top-priority parts of your home like plumbing.

Examples of gradual damage include mold, rot, corrosion, deteriorating electrical wiring, leaking plumbing over time that damages walls and floors, cracks in the foundation or exterior of your home causing water seepage, general lack of home repairs, and damaged parts on the roof.

Tips for Filing a Water Damage Insurance Claim

1. Move quickly

Water damage is a job for the professionals at Restoration 1 of Southwest Virginia. We use professional equipment that can prevent mold growth and other adverse effects of water damage. And we also, importantly, know to look for possible structural issues that may have come about due to water damage. There is no substitute for professional restoration experts.If you have any questions about water damage restoration, please contact us 24/7 at Restoration 1.