Water Damage Claims

What You Need to Know About Storm and Water Damage Claims

Whether it’s a winter storm, hurricane, tornado, or flood, your home is vulnerable to all kinds of damage after a natural disaster. Before you contact your insurance company, there are a few important things you should know about storm claims and water damage claims. For most insurance companies, storms are defined as violent winds accompanied by either rain, snow, or hail. Strong gusts of wind can damage your roof and other parts of your home, while heavy rains can often lead to flooding. When making storm claims, your insurance company will expect that your roof was in good condition before the storm arrived. Make sure you document every single item that’s damaged as a result of the storm and take plenty of clear photos to act as proof when making your claim. If your area was hit hard by a storm, you shouldn’t have any issues when it comes to storm claims. However, if it was just your home that suffered damage, you’ll need to be especially vigilant in documenting everything for the adjuster.

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When it comes to water damage claims, things can get a bit trickier. Not all water damage is a direct result of a storm. If you have a pipe burst, issues with a water heater, or other plumbing problems, these issues also constitute water damage claims. If you live in a flood zone, you will need to have a separate flood insurance policy. Major insurance companies won’t cover damage from floods if you don’t have this additional policy in place. However, if you don’t live in a designated flood area, you can still make water damage claims in the event of a storm. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the process so they can help you get the compensation you need to make repairs to your home and property.