When your property suffers water damage it can be devastating. It can take a lot of money to repair everything. While you may believe that your insurance company will cover these expenses, unfortunately, it may try to lower or even deny your compensation. Here’s what to know about water damage.
There are several different causes of water damage. These include:
- Burst pipes
- Leaking pipes
- Clogged pipes
- Clogged gutters
- Leaky roof
- Toilet or sink overflow
- Appliance malfunction
- Leaking air conditioning system
- Sewage backup
Will My Policy Cover the Water Damage?
The amount that your homeowner’s insurance company will pay to cover your water damage depends upon the policy that you have. Most policies will cover sudden damage caused by water, such as that from a burst pipe, while many won’t cover water damage from natural disasters. Regardless of your policy, many insurance companies may try to deny your claim by blaming the water damage on a cause that the policy does not cover.
What to Do After Discovering Water Damage
Should you find evidence that there is water damage in your home, it’s important that you immediately report the damage to your insurance company. This is imperative, as many companies will try to use any delays in reporting to deny your claim for untimely reporting.
Next, it’s important that you try to figure out the cause of the water damage so that you can take whatever necessary steps to prevent further water damage. But do not fix more than what is necessary to prevent further damage until you have already contacted your insurance company and their adjuster has inspected the damage. Before doing so, make sure to take lots of pictures and videos so that you have evidence of all of the damage before it’s gone. Also, hold onto things such as pieces of damaged drywall, appliances, etc. to further preserve evidence. This can help to bolster your claim in order to receive the compensation that you deserve.
After purchasing services or items to repair and clean the area, make sure that you hold onto any receipts as proof of your expenses.
After your insurance company sends out an adjuster to inspect your damage, it will also evaluate your claim and either provide or deny you compensation. However, if your insurance company refuses to pay for all or part of the damage, it doesn’t mean that this is the final result. You can hire an experienced water damage attorney who can help you to file a lawsuit and prove your case.
A water damage lawyer will also help you to explain the situation, answer any questions you may have, gather the proper evidence, and maximize your chances of success. Insurance companies are much less likely to try to take advantage of those customers who have an attorney. In fact, once you hire a qualified attorney, he or she can be the one to communicate with your insurance company.
PALUMBO LAW Helps Those in Rhode Island with their Property Insurance Claims
Filing a property insurance claim can be extremely confusing – and extremely frustrating. The last thing you want is to have your claim denied or delayed because of something that you did incorrectly. That’s why it’s so important to know how to file your claim from the beginning. An attorney can help to ensure that you properly file your property insurance claim.
At PALUMBO LAW, our experienced Rhode Island Property Damage lawyers work strategically to help our clients to get what they deserve. We have experience with property insurance companies and claims and know what insurance companies are looking for. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us today!
