How to File a Home Insurance Claim Against Water Damage

1. How to File a Home Insurance Claim Against Water Damage Water damage is the second most common insurance claim. In fact, 1 in 50 homeowners sees a water damage claim every year. Water damage claims can be confusing because most home insurance policies will not cover gradual damage due to water. If you are wondering what kind of water damage your home insurance covers, here is a brief overview of some common situations. Viewing flood damage as “covered” can be a bit misleading. Flood insurance and homeowners insurance treat these two types of water damage differently, but both are typically covered. Homeowners insurance covers only accidents, such as a broken pipe or leaking roof, while flood insurance covers the results of storms, such as hurricane-force winds or heavy rain that falls over an extended period of time. In other words, a broken pipe may cause a leak that gets included in your homeowner’s policy coverage; however, if you live in a flood zone, it’s possible to have flooding caused by things like storms that aren’t covered since they aren’t considered accidental. Claims Denied: The reasons why Water Damage Insurance Claims are denied is often misunderstood by customers. There are many reasons a claim may be denied, and the most common reason is that the customer was not clear on their request or they did not follow their insurance company's procedure. When working with your insurance company to understand your coverage, it can pay to speak directly with someone who has knowledge of both your policy and the claims process. Don't let communication errors occur in a stressful situation like handling a water damage claim from flood damage - a claim that will be affected by how well you communicate. When you file a home insurance claim against water damage, there are some things you need to keep in mind. The general procedure for filing a home insurance claim against water damage is as below. Ensure your safety first in case of an accident. Call concerned authorities in case of fire or pipe burst. If possible, take photos of the damaged area and also keep the receipts from services or purchases used because of the damage/loss. You can report a claim to your insurer over the phone, through a mobile device or online. While filing a claim, make sure your mention the type (theft/fire/water damage etc.) and the description of loss or damage to your personal belongings and home. You will be required to submit some supporting documents which your insurer will brief you about. Make sure you have all the information like policy number, name, address and ID proof ready to produce if required. A standard home insurance policy covers the cost to repair or replace your damaged property after a covered loss. It also covers some of your out-of-pocket expenses for certain other things, such as hotels you have to stay in after a fire and storage costs if you have to move from your home while repairs are being done. But there are some kinds of damage that usually aren't covered under a standard policy.