When your home endures water damage, you could be looking at some hefty out of pocket expenses without insurance. Many homeowners choose to protect themselves against such a situation by thinking ahead and paying for such coverage. If you’ve ever filed an insurance claim however, you know it’s not always a simple task. The language in contracts and paperwork can be almost impossible to decipher in laymen’s terms, making it extremely easy to be taken advantage of or think that you’re covered for certain situations when you’re actually not. If you’re questioning anything about your claim or coverage, it’s always best to seek help from a professional. Chinese public adjusters like Excel work to maximize your coverage and get your home back to normal in the quickest amount of time possible. The process can be quite stressful so it’s important that you do your research before beginning.
When the water damage occurs, you should start off by checking your contract to make sure that you’re covered. Most of the time the below situations are going to be covered:
- Leaks that are sudden or accidental, must happen in less than 14 days
- Slab leaks
- Leaks in dishwasher
- Leaks from water purifier
- Leaks from garbage disposal
- Water damage from rain combined with wind
- A burst pipe
- Leak from a washing machine
- Leak from a refrigerator
If your claim involves a leak in your home that’s been going on long-term (more than 2 weeks) you’re most likely not going to be covered by insurance. Adjusters sent by the insurance company will work to determine how long the leak has been occurring by studying the mold and the damage around the leak. If the deductible you’re going to have to pay from going through your insurance is going to be larger than the repair cost for the damages, don’t even bother trying to get a claim through to your insurance. In this case, you’re better off paying for the repairs out of pocket. Some of the expenses might include mold remediation and drying, which are both costly, so it’s a great idea to assess the damage and costs before making moves with your insurance company. The greatest takeaway from this is to not let the damages get worse by leaving the leak unattended to. The longer you wait, the higher the odds are that your claim will be denied.
Once you’ve discovered the leak, there are certain steps you should take in order to ensure for a speedy process. First, you need to hire a plumber or other professional to identify exactly where the leak or damage is stemming from. If they can, they should be able to give you and your insurance company evidence that the leak is new and should not be considered long-term. Evidence is key when it comes to dealing with your insurance company. While their role is to help you pay for the damages you’re covered for, they’re not always quick to dole out money. It’s a good idea to take both pictures and videos of the damage and the active leak that’s occurring. You’re also going to want to keep the fixture that caused the leak in the first place. This could be a broken pipe, faulty washing machine, or hot water heater. Once you file a claim with your insurance company, they’re going to send out a professional from their company in order to assess the damage. This is where you want to be able to provide the evidence of the leak.
When water damage is present, restoration companies need to take precautions because of the prospect of growing mold. They’ll need to make sure that the damage is completely dried and will come back often during the days after the fix in order to make sure the area is safe for living. If you’re not able to live in your house while the drying process is taking place, the insurance company should cover a short-term stay at a local hotel for your family; that is if the leak itself was covered by your insurance.
While it’s okay to get your own estimate from contractors or other carpenters who are willing to fix the damage, it’s better to hire a public adjuster. A public adjuster is educated in the language or contracts and policies as well as construction processes. The contractor you’d like to hire may not have a full understanding of the software that needs to be used or the precautionary measures that must legally be taken by environmental companies. Public adjusters have the ability to communicate with your insurance company directly, eliminating you as the middle man. For many people, this is a huge benefit of hiring a public adjuster because homeowners can easily get caught up in the emotions and stressors of having to get their home fixed as well as get the insurance company to cover the cost. Public adjusters won’t require you to pay them upfront, however you will have to pay them a small percentage of the settlement you receive from your insurance company.
Finding someone that you trust to represent you as your public adjuster is key to a smooth process through filing an insurance claim. Representatives from Excel Adjusters leverage all of their knowledge in the insurance and construction industries to maximize your payout from your insurance company. They’ll also eliminate the headaches and the homeowner as the middle man. You have rights that allow you to have a fair adjustment on a claim, and when it’s fair, the insurance company must pay you for the cost of the repairs. Why take a chance and trust the company that’s going to be forced to pay you? Instead, hire an independent public adjuster and get the payment you deserve. Excel Adjusters based in Los Angeles are specialized in flood, theft, earthquake, water, and fire damage. If you need help, call 213-800-3333 today
