Filing A Hollywood Florida Water Damage Claim

Even though they’re the most common types of insurance claims, recovering money for water-related repairs is rarely straightforward.

Thankfully, by taking the necessary steps after the all-important liquid wreaks havoc on your property, you can make the process of filing a Hollywood Florida water damage claim as painless as possible.

Here’s a good starting point.

Common Types Of Water Damage

As a general rule, your standard homeowner's insurance covers  water damage that occurs suddenly and internally, i.e. the water didn’t enter your home from the outside. 

Different types of water damage are covered by insurance:

1. Water backup 

A sewer or water backup occurs when, as the name suggests, water backs up into your home (it’s being pushed into your home through the sewage system and pipes). This usually happens due to city-related pipeline issues, tree root intrusions, or old pipes.

2. Discharge damage

If you’re filing a Hollywood Florida water damage claim after an overflow or sudden discharge from an appliance or a water fixture, your insurance policy most likely covers this occurrence. 

3. Flood water damage

This one is quite common in Florida and it takes place when the water rises to such a level that it enters your home. If only your home is affected, it’s not considered a flood claim.

Types Of Damages That Your Insurance Won’t Cover

The problem with some types of water damage is that it’s impossible to spot them until it’s too late. Unfortunately, for your Hollywood Florida water damage claim to be covered by insurance, the damage has to occur suddenly.

In other words, if the damage occurred due to a problem that was never addressed, your claim will most likely be denied.

This applies to gradual types of damage like cracked foundations or exteriors, pipes, or water fixtures that leaked over time and then caused serious structural damage. It also includes mold damage or deterioration of electrical wiring that occurred due to a lack of repair.

So even if your repairs might cost an arm and a leg, your insurance company will maintain the notion that your damage is gradual and deny your claim.

Tips For A Successful Water Damage Claim

To minimize the damage, you need to take a few measures. If possible, you should shut off the water source to stop spreading. Next, move your valuables somewhere safe.

If it’s  a flooding scenario you’re dealing with, feel free to board up any doors or windows to prevent further damage. Try to remove any standing water and dry the area as much as possible. 

Once you successfully evade a bigger disaster, make an effort to document the damage. Take videos or photos of the afflicted area or any damaged items. Try to produce the receipts, list all your possessions, and include their associated value. 

If any items seem irreparable, don’t throw them away yet since you can use them as evidence.

We can’t stress this enough: don’t make any repairs until they’re approved by your insurance company. Your insurer won’t compensate you for any unapproved repairs!

Process Of Filing A Hollywood Florida Water Damage Claim

If you can’t find a copy of your policy, contact your agent. After you’ve got your hands on your policy, carefully review each section. The water damage coverage you have will be outlined in the declarations section.

You can also get in touch with a company that can perform an independent damage assessment, as well as give you an estimate of the cleanup and restoration costs. 

Then, you can provide your insurer with these prices in addition to key information like the description and photographic documentation of the damage. Again, don’t forget to provide them with the full list of damaged items and any receipts you might have.

Pro tip: Get everything in writing! Keep a record of all communications throughout the claim process. Jot down any names, dates, and a brief recap of the conversation.

Once you file your claim, the insurance company will send the adjuster to inspect the damage. They’ll ask you multiple questions about how it occurred and may also inquire about the condition of the home before the event. 

At this point, share the estimates you gathered from contractors with the adjuster. 

After the adjuster submits their report, you will be issued a settlement to help you fix the damage and replace damaged items. Do note that it’s not possible to determine the exact time you’ll receive your settlement as it depends on a variety of factors.

The Outcome Of Your Claim

If everything checks out and you and the insurer agree on the settlement (i.e. it’s enough for you to cover the damage), you can finally start making repairs. They might send you a list of approved vendors. If they do, take some extra time and contact a few to receive a quote for the repairs. 

Alternatively, they may deny your Hollywood Florida water damage claim. This can happen for a multitude of reasons, the most common beingyour policy not covering the peril. If you are covered, your insurance company may also deny your claim if they believe you didn’t maintain your property, which somehow contributed to the event in question.

Lastly, the settlement your insurer offers may not be enough to cover all repairs, which means you’ll have to pay for some things out of pocket.

In all of these unfavorable scenarios, you can successfully reverse the decision if you submit an appeal. So, the first thing you should do after you receive your denial or an undervalued settlement is to call the insurance company and ask them about the appeal deadlines.

You can then submit an appeal.

The insurance company will then send over another adjuster, which means you should have someone on your side - preferably a public adjuster or a contractor knowledgeable about the prices of repairs in your area.

Switch Up Your Strategy

If your Hollywood Florida water damage claim gets denied or undervalued, you still have a fighting chance. That is if you approach the appeals process differently and involve an unbiased party.

By having a public adjuster at your side, you have someone fighting on your behalf who can negotiate with the insurance company and help you receive a fair settlement. After all, an insurance company has an adjuster, and so can you.

Get in touch with Continental Public Adjusters by calling (800) 989-4769. We’ll evaluate your case free of charge and support you in your fight for fair compensation!